Location Scout Services

New York offers unmatched urban variety. You can shoot at iconic Manhattan locations including Times Square, Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Grand Central Terminal, in Brooklyn's brownstone neighbourhoods and waterfront, in Queens' diverse communities, on Long Island's beaches and Hamptons estates, through the Hudson Valley's vineyards and historic mansions, and at major studio complexes like Steiner Studios, Silvercup, and Kaufman Astoria.

MOME coordinates most NYC filming permits. Federal sites like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island require NPS commercial filming permits. Grand Central Terminal needs MTA permits. Central Park filming is managed by the Conservancy. Drone operations require both FAA registration and NYPD permits with 30 days advance application and a $150 fee. Most Manhattan airspace is restricted for drones.

New York has significant production costs but strong incentive support. MOME permits for public locations are generally free or low-cost. Private location fees vary widely. Grand Central and Central Park have established fee schedules. The New York State Film Tax Credit provides up to 30% back on qualifying expenditure, with a $700 million annual cap making it one of America's largest state incentives.

We assess your visual requirements, the types of locations you need, and your shooting schedule, then recommend scouts with deep knowledge of the relevant areas. We prioritize scouts who have established relationships with property owners and local permitting authorities.

Location scouting and location management are related but distinct roles. A scout finds and presents options, while a location manager handles permits, contracts, logistics, and on-set coordination. Some professionals do both, and we can advise on whether your project needs one or both roles filled.