Top 10 Things to Consider When Hiring a Camera Crew in New York

When our clients need to book a camera crew in New York City, they know to call us. At Beverly Boy Productions, we know that Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the many restaurants in NYC call people here for filming, and when you want a New York City production, you want to consider the things to see and do to make that film perfect.

1. The Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is a sculpture on Liberty Island, but it is more than that. It is a beacon of hope and freedom for those who came to these shores across vast oceans looking for a better life, and it is an iconic NYC and American statue. When you are in New York City, hire a videographer and go see it for yourself. It was built by Gustave Eiffel, who the Eiffel Tower is named for.

2. History

The city that never sleeps started long before the flashing lights made people flock to this beautiful city. Around 10,000 BC, the first people arrived here and in 1524 the Europeans followed, with the the Dutch laying the first claims to land in the early 1600s. New York City gained prominence as a major trading port in the Thirteen Colonies in the 1700s. This city played a vital role in just about everything that happened in this country since then, and it has grown to be one of the greatest cities in the world, with the sights and sounds to prove it. If you want to get an amazing production, and need a film crew in New York that will help you make just about any type of film you can dream up, this is the place to do it.

3. Permits

At times, you can film in New York City without a permit, but when you do need one, there is a $300 fee for the processing of the initial application. If you need one and you don’t get the permit done properly, you can face a higher fee, so always apply when you need one. You also need insurance on all of your filming projects before you can apply for a permit. If you don’t know if your production will need one, it is best to find a camera crew crew in New York City that can help you figure out when you need to apply for permits. Additionally, the right crew can help you fill out the paperwork so it is done correctly and there are no issues with processing your application.

4. Central Park

Central Park is an urban park in Manhattan and is the fifth-largest park in New York City, covering 843 acres. Established in 1857, it was landscaped by architect Frederick Law Olmsted and architect/landscape designer Calvert Vaux in 1858. It was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1963 and was placed on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2017. If you want to film in a landmark greenspace that many people will recognize, immediately, this is your spot.

5. Times Square

It’s iconic, busy, happy, bright, chaotic, and one-of-a-kind New York City. This major commercial intersection and tourist destination is referred to as “The Crossroads of the World” and is one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions. Approximately 330,000 people pass through Times Square, every single day, so when you need to film B Roll that shows life and people, this is where you need to come. You could hire a camera crew in New York for a day and get more footage than you’d know what to do with in this one location.

6. Broadway

Can you film a video production in New York City and not go to Broadway? This is the most famous theater district in the world, and if you are planning to film anything in New York, add this location to your list of “must-see” and “must-film” because you will want its iconic buildings somewhere in your film.

7. The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan that was completed in 1931. It stands 1,454 feet tall and offers incredible views of New York City, so hire a cameraman and get some shots of the skyline.

8. Climate

Unlike most of the rest of New York state, New York City has a humid, subtropical climate that makes it warmer than most other areas around it. Still, it has extremely cold winters that can put a strain on film equipment and slow down filming, altogether. To avoid this, look for camera crews for hire that know the climate and can help you plan your filming dates based on the weather you want to see in your film.

9. Metropolitan Museum of Art

There is no place to experience art better in NYC than at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is the largest art museum in the United States and brags of more than 7 million visitors a year. It is the third most visited art museum in the world, and the fifth most visited museum of any kind, so you will definitely get some amazing footage, here, even if you aren’t there for the art.

10. Food

There is no doubt that New York has some of the best food in the world. It is, after all, a cultural hub of activity and the top place of entry for immigrants throughout the history of this country, so it is a true melting pot of food, art, culture, and more. These are some of the “must-see” and eat places in New York City.

1. Russ and Daughters. If you want some good Jewish food, stop at this 100-year-old shop for a sesame bagel, schmear, and smoked salmon. It is delicious and a staple in the City.
2. Sylvia’s. This Harlem landmark has been serving incredible Southern comfort food since 1962, and it is a place that most in the area know well, so join the locals and get you some down-home cooking while you take a break from filming.
3. Katz’s. This restaurant has changed very little in its more than 125 years of operation, and it is another essential Jewish restaurant, but it serves fresh slices pastrami on fresh baked rye loaves, and you can’t pass it up.