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The Big Apple broke its own record for the number of TV shows filmed in its borders this year — nearly tripling the number of prime-time episodic series produced here in just 10 years.
From the HBO hit “Girls” to NBC’s recently retired “30 Rock,” the number of TV series filmed here leaped to 25 in the 2012-2013 season, records show.
In 2001-2002, just nine were filmed in the city.
“These productions are pumping money to the florist in Queens, the lumber yard in Brooklyn, the vintage clothing store in Staten Island,” said Jake Goldman, of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. “That’s supporting small businesses here and employing New Yorkers.”
The city’s entertainment industry employs 130,000 people and contributes $7.1 billion to the local economy yearly, the Boston Consulting Group found.
A great deal of these shows are taking advantage of the city’s halls of justice, with 10 taped in courthouses so far this year.
“Blue Bloods” filmed in Manhattan Supreme Court; “The Americans” in the Manhattan Surrogate’s Court; and “Boardwalk Empire” in Brooklyn’s Appellate Division.
“As long as it doesn’t impact court operations and doesn’t cost taxpayers money, we are happy to be part of the effort to have more movies filmed in New York City,” said court administration spokesman David Bookstaver.
City courthouses also saw their share of the Hollywood action, with five movies using them as a set in the past six months — up from three for the same period last year.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” filmed in Queens Supreme Court; Will Smith’s “Winter’s Tale” in Manhattan Surrogate’s Court; and James Franco (above) and Jonah Hill filmed “True Story” in Brooklyn Supreme Court this month.
Producers pay the city $3,200 for every filming session.
Insiders credit the increase in filming to a streamlined permit process and more cooperation from city officials.