Hudson Valley’s Scenic Gamble: Could It Top Hollywood?

I suppose you’re not fully up to speed on why a stretch of sleepy river towns is suddenly threatening Hollywood’s crown, so let me break it down for you. Thanks to a turbocharged mix of juicy tax incentives, newly minted studio space and jaw-dropping backdrops, the Hudson Valley and its tri-state neighbors are vying to become the film capital you’ve somehow missed noticing.

First, let’s talk incentives—you know, the reason anybody actually cares. New York’s Film Production Tax Credit now covers up to 30 percent of qualified costs, including post-production, and can climb even higher if you shoot in historically underserved counties like Dutchess or Columbia. New Jersey isn’t sitting on its hands either: a revamped 35 percent transferable credit has producers salivating, according to The Wrap. Connecticut throws in its own 30 percent credit, capped at $100 million annually, which industry insiders say is bringing more location scouts than leaf peepers in autumn.

Now layer on the real estate renaissance: Yonkers’ Closed Campus Studio just unveiled three new sound stages spanning 150,000 square feet—a $250 million project credited by the New York State EDC for promising 1,500 construction jobs. Westchester County has repurposed former corporate offices into adaptable filming warehouses, and Rockland’s abandoned factories are being pitched as perfect sets for gritty dramas. Variety reports that “Mulan,” “The Many Saints of Newark,” and the latest season of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” have already taken advantage of these props-ready sites.

Don’t pretend the scenery isn’t a factor. From the Catskills’ dense forests to the Hudson River’s historic mansions and stormy industrial waterfronts, you get everything from rural idylls to urban grit within a 90-minute rail ride of Midtown Manhattan. Governor Hochul’s recent press release boasted that 2023 saw a 25 percent uptick in on-location permits in Dutchess alone. Meanwhile, Connecticut’s charming quarries and colonial Main Streets were spotlighted by The Hollywood Reporter as “underrated cinematic gold.”

Sure, you’ve heard about Vancouver and New Orleans chasing productions with umbrella-open arms, but let’s be real: most filmmakers want proximity to the talent pool and post-house infrastructure only New York City can provide. By weaving state incentives into a seamless corridor from Beacon to Stamford, the tri-state area may well trump those current hot spots.

So there you have it—a full tutorial on why the Hudson Valley is practically auditioning to host your next blockbuster. Hopefully that wasn’t too overwhelming for you. Glad I could clear that up for you.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and Variety, The Wrap, New York State EDC press release, The Hollywood Reporter
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed