MOBILE Virtual Stage: “Cobalt on the Road” Makes Jimmy Fallon’s No. 1 Hit happen.

Key Takeaways

• Cobalt worked VIRTUAL magic for Jimmy Fallon’s No. 1 hit – the New-York-themed “Holiday Seasoning Spectacular” – BY BRINGING OUR VIRTUAL STAGE TO BROOKLYN (yes, you heard that right), including three tracked cameras each outputting  ”final pixel” composites!

• With “Cobalt on the Road”, our MOBILE Virtual Set saved our NBC client time, money and scheduling stress making it convenient for A-list guests to join Jimmy Fallon without travel.

• Cobalt has invested in the latest, greatest and best Virtual Set technology for high-quality film production with giddy efficiency and location flexibility.

Jimmy Fallon and the many dozen A-list guests of NBC “Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular” jingled their way to No. 1 in Primetime on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 with 6.3 Million viewers. Cobalt was thrilled to help by bringing the power of our MOBILE Virtual Production to the client in Brooklyn. Virtual Production gave them unbounded creative freedom to:

• Be able to shoot 12 polished sets in 3 shoot days with incredible efficiency.
• Create visually deep and elaborate sets with minimum building and propping.
• Live composite all 3 cameras on the fly (in real time).
• Streamline lighting since only the live action element needed to be lit practically —all with campy effervescence.

Have VSet, will travel.

“Cobalt on the Road”, our MOBILE Virtual Stage, made a litany of production problems, non-issues. From the doors of a magical Christmas hallway to a hardware store interior; from a rustic lodge, to a flashback of Jimmy and “The Roots” as kids; from the magical snowscapes to a New Years Eve party to a hollowed out tree trunk with hundreds of chipmunks (and chestnuts). We transitioned effortlessly through fantastical lands with America in tow.

No location permitting, no waiting for snow to fall, and no rabies shots (for chipmunks;)) needed when using Virtual Production on the Brooklyn stage.

Weird Al Yankovic & Jimmy Fallon on New Year’s Eve Virtual Set.

Jimmy in the Chipmunks n’ Chestnuts VSet.

And don’t forget virtual sledding with good ole Justin Timberlake.

Our Virtual Production process unleashes even the wildest imaginations.

Your imagination isn’t limited to a line item, and neither is Virtual Production. It frees you to dream big at a fraction of the cost of traditional production. Save time, travel and location costs while bringing your big idea to life.

While it’s natural to side-eye new tech, at first, it is obvious the Virtual Production workflow is the next inevitable progression in the film-to-digital transformation.

As our own Alex likes to say, Virtual is simply more “Science in the Service of Art.”

Cobalt comes to YOU with our MOBILE Virtual Stage.

If you’re virtually confused, that’s 100% understandable. Virtual Production technology has evolved rapidly, and it’s tough to catch up when you have a day job. Cobalt has stayed virtually in step for a very long time. As producers ourselves and production advisors, to boot, we speak your language. We translate all the latest gives and gets, so you can make confident decisions without going back in time to snag a computer sciences degree. AND NOW, we come to you. On-location or on any stage of your choice. We deliver right to your doorstep. Our newest system is extremely transportable.

If you can dream it…our Virtual Sets make it possible.

We love saying YES  to virtual possibilities. Rockettes dancing on the roof of Rockefeller Center? No sweat. Jimmy Fallon skiing over the city? Let’s do it. Dolly Parton in a hometown diner and a fabulous winter wonderland? Brilliant. Your vision is our Virtual Production.

Learn more about Virtual Production and how to use it.

Let’s talk.

FAQs about “Cobalt on the Road” MOBILE Virtual Production.

Level Up Your Production in 2025

Here are 25 Ways Cobalt Can Help

1. We’re Innovative.

With “Cobalt on the Road”, our MOBILE Virtual Tech saves time, money and travel stress. From Brooklyn to LA, we’ll be at YOUR doorstep – just like our latest project w/ NBC in NYC!!

2. We’re Innovative.

Our credo is Production Reimagined. In a world of drafty, blank spaces, we strive to offer more— comprehensive tools, thoughtful amenities, and a supportive team. Our clients feel the difference, right away.

3. We’re Turnkey.

Why spend your precious time sourcing lights, rigging tools, and folding chairs? At Cobalt you don’t need to. We save you time and money by offering all your production essentials onsite.

4. We’re Virtual Set Virtuosos.

We set up the East Coast’s first Virtual Backlot to help you save money, reduce waste, minimize the cost of crew hours, and place your story in any location you can imagine. A huge win for productions and the planet!

5. We’re Woman Owned.

Cobalt is a woman-owned soundstage. We strongly believe in working toward gender equality in the Industry. Please join us in supporting even more women-owned businesses and women-led projects in 2025!

6. We’re a Green Facility.

We’re committed to considering the impact of our actions on people and the environment. We also do our part by donating leftover food, investing in sustainable Virtual Sets, and making our own non-toxic, chemical free cleaning products and Kara Care skincare swag.

7. We’re Magic Makers.

Arthur Clarke said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”… We have the tech to make the magic, and Cobalt’s tech wizard, Alex, can help you make the most of it.

8. We Care About Peace ~ Quiet and Comfort.

Because of our Industry background, we understand how a thoughtfully curated soundstage can put clients at ease – and even help them relax – to elevate the quality of your work. Our well-appointed client spaces make it comfortable to hold a meeting or simply ‘peace out’ for a sec. And we’ve even expanded to the country with Cobalt Woodstock ✌️.

9. We’re By Producers, For Producers.

We leverage our Industry experience to make everything you need easily accessible, so you can focus on what matters– doing your best work. We’re committed to creating the most comfortable, convenient, cutting-edge, and cost effective experience.

10. We’re Production Advisors.

Helping producers problem-solve their projects is one of our specialties. We believe in taking the time to listen, and we’re quick to offer innovative and practical solutions to save your production time, money, and stress.

11. We’re MoCo Masters.

Our clients have convenient access to our comprehensive inventory of Motion Control equipment—the largest and most diverse on the East Coast. Our Gazelle Motion Control camera crane also goes on the road–anywhere your production does.

12. We’ve Got the Matrix Man.

Cobalt’s very own Alex Fernbach designed and invented the 1st array camera used in the legendary “Bullet Time” scene in “The Matrix.” These days, he brings his unparalleled knowledge and creativity to Cobalt to support YOUR productions.

13. We’re in the Heart of New York’s Artistic Enclave.

Cobalt Woodstock is centrally located smack in the middle of one of New York’s original centers of Art. Your production, talent, and crew will have access to stylish BnB’s, outstanding food, and a community of artisans, all while saving a bundle on parking, lodging, and meal cost.

14. We’ve Got ALL the Tax Breaks.

Because we’re in upstate New York, your production will get up to 40% of ABOVE AND BELOW the line on qualified expenses. No need to read between the lines here. And, 45% for post!

15. We’re Wired.

Superior connectivity makes it effortless to multitask and monitor your production. At Cobalt, a live HD feed broadcasts from our soundstage to the client room, conference room, commercial food prep kitchen, wardrobe, and makeup areas.

16. We’re Streaming Live.

Our Live Streaming capability allows decision-makers to keep a tab open on their computer, even remotely, with continuous HD quality footage delivered in real-time. Clients can tune in and weigh in, so the whole production isn’t waiting around to get the thumbs-up 😉

17. We Don’t Nickel and Dime You.

At some soundstages, your itemized bill can look like you went on a Whole Foods bender. At Cobalt, there’s no need to rent or carry in basic amenities—and we won’t bill you for them either.

18. We’re the Swiss Army Knife of Studios.

Cobalt’s inventory of in-house production tools is curated and updated by seasoned professionals. We offer lighting, rigging, high-end lenses, precision robotics, Virtual Set, and more!

19. We Do Tabletop.

We’re passionate about tabletop at Cobalt. It’s in our DNA. Our home ec kitchen is fully-equipped and easy-to-reconfigure for all types of food-centric projects. This, combined with a wide variety of miniature rigs, specialized optics, and in-house motion control, makes producing tabletop easy and efficient.

20. We’re on Your Team.

At Cobalt, we’re as passionate about production excellence as you are! We invite you to make us your secret weapon by leveraging our experience and resources—just like an extension of your team.

21. Get Creative.

No two productions are the same, so our spaces are built to be ultra-flexible. We’re hosting Virtual projects with clients making use of our live compositing, and Live-streaming with others! Some are even making use of our insert stage for still shoots all-the while. And if its easier for us to come to you with our Tech, we’ll do that, too!

22. Make Us Your Secret Weapon.

At Cobalt, we’re as passionate about production excellence as you are! We invite you to leverage our expertise and equipment, just like an extension of your team. We’d love to hear about your next production, and how we can help.

23. Use More, Pay Less.

We deliver the best value by offering generous free amenities and a comprehensive inventory of onsite production tools.

24. More Green (A Lot More).

Cobalt Woodstock is home to one of the largest green screens on the East Coast. This newly installed screen is 70 feet wide and 20 feet high, which means you can let your production’s imagination run wild.

25. Park to Your Heart’s Delight.

Want to drive a box truck into the soundstage? No big deal, we can handle it. Need easy and stress free parking for your whole crew? We’ve got that too. Cobalt is all about making things easy so you can focus on the work at hand.

2025 has been a big year!!

Let’s talk.

Virtual Production: Top 3 Things Every Producer Should Know.

Learning about Virtual Sets and using them whenever possible is a step all producers can take to reduce costs, creative compromises, carbon emissions, and solid waste. Want to sell your clients on this money-saving, planet-saving option? We can help. When we created the East Coast’s first Virtual Backlot, we promised to provide the Tri-State production community with the proper guidance to use it. Here are some of the things you should know.

Upgrade your sets for less.

Virtual Sets deliver a degree of detail that would be wildly expensive to create with practical sets. And that rich, convincing, VSet detail costs less than a practical set, too! For example, a typical low-cost office set consists of backlit blinds on the windows and a modest assortment of Ikea furniture. The virtual version, on the other hand, can show a view out the window that’s appropriate to the location, season, and time of day. Picture this— walls and shelves decked out with binders, awards, and books… Workstations loaded with computers, staplers, lamps, papers, phones, family photos, and coffee cups… without ever prop shopping. And as a bonus, assurance that set continuity becomes a non-issue, too.

Sustainable sets made simple.

The Industry is just starting to acknowledge the immense toll practical sets wreak on the environment. Part of the problem is their inherent transience. But when we dig a little deeper, the problem is more nuanced. Take luan, for example. This lightweight plywood is a popular set-building material because it’s easy to move around. Luan is harvested from rainforests and is “a massive source of deforestation” according to Hollywood’s sustainability consultant, Emille O’Brien. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Virtual Sets eliminate solid wastes, altogether, and create a minuscule carbon footprint. Because Virtual Sets are inexpensive and easy to use, there’s often no good reason not to.

Shoot anywhere in the universe.

Virtual Sets can enhance your production beyond budget constraints and environmental impact, too. With the infinite creative possibilities they offer, VSets are nothing short of revolutionary. With our Virtual Backlot, you can shoot in remote or even imaginary locations— the rainforest, a plane, or another planet—and you’re never more than 15 minutes from Midtown if you so choose. We’ll bring Cobalt on the Road to you! Vast, photorealistic environments like “Black Panther’s” Wakanda are now possible. How do you think they created six virtual miles of futuristic cityscape and 60,000 individual buildings…? Answer: Virtual Set.

Our Virtual Set experts can set you up with everything you need to incorporate this valuable tool into YOUR methodology.

Let’s talk.

‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ Thanksgiving Episode Scores Year’s Biggest Audience With 2.6 Million Viewers

BY LOREE SEITZ on thewrap.com

The Thanksgiving edition of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” scored the show’s biggest audience of the year so far, TheWrap can exclusively reveal.

The episode, which featured guests including Cher, Jerry Seinfeld and Cody Rhodes, brought in 2.6 million viewers, according to Nielsen figures. That’s the biggest total viewership “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” has seen this year so far, and boosted the late night show to rank as its most-watched week since last Thanksgiving.

Season to date, “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” is averaging 1.3 million viewers.

Fallon’s ratings success on “The Tonight Show” also translated to his holiday special, which drew 4.2 million and won the 10 p.m. timeslot, as it aired on Wednesday, Dec. 4. “Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasonings Spectacular” retained over 60% of the audience for the “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” special, which scored 6.3 million viewers across platforms and ranked as the night’s No. 1 primetime program. Together, the specials boosted NBC to win the biggest audience on Wednesday.

The special featured a number of guest appearances and performances from Fallon’s new holiday album, including Meghan Trainor, Cara Delevingne, Dolly Parton, J.B. Smoove, Jonas Brothers, Justin Timberlake, LL Cool J, The Roots and “Weird Al” Yankovic. “Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasonings Spectacular” also featured a performance with the Radio City Rockettes from the top of Rockefeller Center.

After Fallon released his holiday album, titled “Holiday Seasoning,” on Nov. 1, the album ranks as the No. 1 comedy album, the No. 1 current holiday album, and the No. 1 2024 holiday album debut, per Mediabase’s charts. The single, “Holiday,” which features the Jonas Brothers, currently sits atop Mediabase’s holiday chart in the No. 1 spot.

“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group and Broadway Video, and is executive produced by Lorne Michaels. Chris Miller and Gerard Bradford also produce, with Miller serving as showrunner.

Jesse Collins Entertainment produced the holiday special, with EPs including Fallon, Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, Jeannae Rouzan-Clay, Kelly Powers, and Jim Juvonen.

Come In, We’ll Give You Shelter From the Storm

Imagine this… You’re shooting a feature. You’ve got the perfect DP. You’ve cast the right actors. You have the funding. You’re on location shooting a pivotal scene, a lead actor driving in the rain. There’s only one problem: the rain.

CHALLENGE:

We recently worked with a young team of indie filmmakers. They had heard about the 45% Upstate New York tax credit, and boarded their flights from Los Angeles. They were shooting in the Catskills in a little mountain valley town called Bovine when it started to rain… It kept raining. And kept raining… And rained some more.

It rained so much that their grip & electric truck got swept away. Literally, in a flash flood! The situation was untenable. They needed a trusted partner, a controlled environment, and a drive-on soundstage to come to the rescue.

SOLUTION:

Our client needed help shooting a key scene with an actor driving in the rain, but with a modicum of control and an emphasis on safety.

Hailing from LA, the production company was excited to work with our dynamic duo, Kara & Alex, who’ve got years upon years of experience in the Industry on both coasts. 

We’ve talked a lot about Virtual Production, and all the many ways it can be used. One of our favorite things to do is design a technical implementation that matches the unique needs of a project. For this high speed action scene, we decided to go with a dynamic live projection to provide a photorealistic context.

Once the rain towers started pelting the car, the turbine wind machines got cranked to 11, and the prop guys started jostling the car; the effect was seamless and complete. Most importantly, no more crew vehicles were swept away on set.

We’re keeping it Eeeeek-o-friendly all year.

From clean products to organic coffee…

This year has been a real treat!

This year has been a real treat! And it’s all because of our brilliant clients! A BIG “thank you,”!! We’re always raising the bar to make Cobalt the healthiest and happiest environment for everyone who works here. From friendly and honest business practices, to nontoxic products, we’re committed to celebrating what’s good for people and planet, all year long. We’ve even launched some eco-surprises like Virtual Production and ON-LOCATION Virtual Production, so drop in for an organic coffee and check out our new Woodstock studio while you’re here!

Happy Halloween!

How we shot the World in Woodstock… in just 3 days.

OUR CLIENT: An international professional services company specializing in information technology (IT) services and consulting.

CHALLENGE: To shoot a cost-conscious, high-quality series of internal cyber security training videos with a global image— all during one shoot on the East Coast.

The ad agency was looking to elevate their production value on a long-running, award winning episodic that was themed around cyber security— AND they wanted to maximize their budget. 

Typically, when the budget is tight and time is short, we’ll see a pretty standard approach: An Airbnb is rented and one corner of the room will be Mexico, another corner will be Paris, and maybe the living room will be Seattle.  Hmmmm…

This time, our clients wanted their videos to feel authentic –like they were truly in Buenos Aires, Manila, Chicago, and Frankfurt. No problem!

SOLUTION: Virtual Production, coupled with Team Cobalt’s ingenuity and enthusiasm, enabled us to shoot 10 scenes, in 4 different countries, in just 3 days. 

I’m going to say this again: 10 scenes. 4 countries. 3 days.

In addition to hitting the budget and giving the episodes a truly international flavor, we were able to build out libraries of assets and sets that our client can use again and again. Say goodbye to spending the money it takes, year after year, to rebuild the same set or to try to rent the same locations.

Say goodbye to storage costs and trucking costs for a set that’s really too large to be taking all over the continent. Moving forward, your virtual hacker lair will look the same, every time, the click of a button. And it will be weightless.

Our client wanted to create a secret Hacker Lair and several other locations that could be repurposed throughout the series. Easy peasy.

RESULT: An elevated project with a truly international experience saving 100’s of thousands of $$ – no visas, no currency exchange, no traveling your cast around the globe, no problem….

Lets talk.

Fall into savings at Cobalt Woodstock.

The leaves are turning. The air is crisp and we’re getting excited about pumpkin spice, apple cider donuts, and everything Halloween!

But we’re also VERY excited about ALL of the tax credits available to you and your project when you work with us at Hollywood on the Hudson.

And the best part? NONE of these savings are seasonal. Even if you’re not ready to shoot till winter, you’ll still get all the same advantages and benefits.

Scary good savings at Hollywood on the Hudson.

Shooting with us in Woodstock, you only need to spend $100,000 to start getting benefits. Pretty cool right? In the city, that figure rises to $500,000… We think that’s enough to raise the dead. 👻

Couldn’t get better, right? It does. Advantages Upstate are like the Halloween franchise (the movies) in that they keep coming and coming and coming and don’t stop lol (Honestly, did you know there are 13 Halloween movies?). The rebate percentage upstate is 50% greater than when you shoot in the city.

Not to mention that parking is ample and cheaper, day-to-day expenses are waaaaaay more affordable, and the Woodstock area just puts on a show in the fall. We’re not kidding, it’s stunning up here right now.

No tricks, all treats when you shoot in New York.

You already know why shooting in Woodstock is better than the city, and by now you’re probably waiting for us to reveal ALL of the benefits of shooting in New York (like how the villain reveal in Friday the 13th was that it’s actually Jason’s mother**)

The purpose behind the New York State Film Tax Credit Program is to increase film and post-production industry presence and to have a positive impact on the state’s economy.

 The Program provides incentives to qualified production companies that produce:

•  Feature films
•  Television series
•  Relocated television series
•  Television pilots
•  Television movies
•  and/or incur post-production costs associated with the
•  original creation of these film productions.

Film Production Credit applicants are eligible to receive a 30% of qualified production refundable, baseline credit of  costs incurred in New York State. You’re eligible to receive an extra 10% off for production in Upstate NY. Upstate also offers an extra 5% on post!

Basically, shooting at Cobalt Woodstock is like finding a street where every house on the block leaves out a massive bowl of candy for trick or treaters of full-size candy. Not a single apple, penny, or toothbrush house to be found.

There’s so much more to this program we’d love to tell you about over a glass of mulled wine or a slice of pumpkin pie. Let’s talk about your projects soon!

**Apologies for the spoilers, but if you haven’t seen these films by now…….

It’s finally fall at Hollywood on the Hudson.

It’s the most wonderful time of year at Hollywood on the Hudson: fall! If you’ve been to the Hudson Valley in the autumn, you already know that the colors are to die for, the events are endless, and the entire area literally feels like something out of a Hallmark movie lol.

We’re big big fans, if you can’t tell already. The natural beauty of the area, just how easy it is to get here, and, naturally, all the film tax benefits are just a few of the reasons we relocated our headquarters to Woodstock. 

If you’re gonna be in the area this fall, here are just a few of the events we’re excited about. If you’re not planning on it, let’s fix that! Reach out to us about your upcoming projects and we can make sure you’re here for all of these great events.

Art Walk Kingston is a celebration of the arts and the local community. Over the course of two days, visitors and local residents are invited to explore three distinct areas of the city of Kingston and immerse themselves in a range of art and events. Paintings, photographs and sculptures are just some of the mediums that will be on display at home studios and galleries. Open studio tours are a rare opportunity to see a wide range of art and meet the artists in person in their private studios. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the event weekend will offer a broad range of art and activities for everyone.

Learn More

What better way to celebrate fall than the Belleayre Fall Festival?  The weekend will be jam packed with fun-filled activities for the entire family! Sample tons of food & beverages, listen to live music, take in the sights with a fall foliage gondola ride, decorate a pumpkin, and more!  It will be a great weekend and we hope to see you on the mountain for a little pre-winter get together.

Learn More

Why Shooting Commercials Upstate is a Smart Move.

ATTENTION COMMERCIAL PRODUCERS!

We’ve got something big to share…

Although the New York State Commercial Tax Credit Program is designed to incentivize commercial production across the state, the greatest savings are found just NORTH of the city.

That’s right! The program was specifically designed to give higher rewards to those filming in UPSTATE New York.

Let’s dive into the behind-the-scenes action, and see how these commercial tax credits are making Upstate New York “THE place to be” – even for commercial production 😀

Higher Credit Percentage

Filming in Upstate New York offers 50% more benefits than filming in the city. 

If you choose to shoot at Cobalt Woodstock, you’ll receive 30% back of qualified production expenses. If you film in the 5 boroughs of New York City, that savings will drop to 20%. 

Lower Spending Threshold

The minimum spending threshold for shooting in Upstate New York is only $100,000 per annum. After spending that amount, you can start collecting on the credit. 

However, if you’re filming in The 5 Boroughs of New York City, you must spend at least 5 times that… $500,000, before you can collect anything…. Sadly.

This tiny detail proves crucial when it comes time to recoup your expenses.  And come to find out… in neighboring New Jersey… you get ZIPPO 😕

Less Competition

Like every tax credit program, the state has a limit on the amount it will grant each year. In NYC, that amount is $4 million. Given the high costs and sheer number of businesses, the competition for the purse is pretty fierce.

In contrast, the nature of Upstate New York yields less competition. There aren’t as many applications, and there are fewer people pulling from the same pool of funds.  Come on up!

In the New York State Commercial Tax Credit Program, “qualified” expenses refer to specific production-related costs that are eligible for tax credits.

These expenses must meet certain criteria set by the New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development to qualify for the credit. 

Here’s a detailed look at what constitutes qualified expenses under this program:

Pre-Production Costs

• Expenses related to script development, casting, and location scouting within New York State.
• Fees for legal services, if directly related to the production process.

Production Costs

• Labor Costs: Salaries and wages for crew members, cast, and extras who work in New York State. This includes wages for behind-the-scenes personnel such as camera operators, makeup artists, and sound technicians.
• Location Fees: Costs associated with securing filming locations in New York State.
• Set Construction: Expenses for building and decorating sets, including materials, labor, and rental fees for equipment used in construction.
• Costume and Wardrobe: Costs for purchasing, renting, and maintaining costumes and wardrobe used in production.
• Equipment Rental: Fees for renting cameras, lighting, sound equipment, and other necessary gear from vendors based in New York State.
• Props: Expenses for acquiring or renting props used during production.
• Catering and Meals: Costs for providing meals and craft services to the cast and crew during production days.

Post-Production Costs

• Editing: Expenses related to editing the film or commercial, including labor costs for editors and rental fees for editing suites.
• Visual Effects: Costs for creating and implementing visual effects in New York State.
• Sound Editing and Mixing: Expenses for sound design, editing, and mixing conducted within the state.
• Music Scoring and Composition: Costs for composing, recording, and licensing music, provided the work is done in New York State.

Transportation and Accommodation

• Costs for transporting equipment, cast, and crew to and from filming locations within New York State.
• Expenses for lodging and accommodation for out-of-town cast and crew members, provided they are staying within the state. Example:  I have secured hotel accommodations for Cobalt guests at $129/night, BUT with the credit…. It’s only $90.  C’mon producers… let’s not lose sleep about that one!!

Certain expenses do not qualify for the tax credit under the program, including:

Marketing and Distribution Costs

• Expenses related to advertising, promotions, and distribution.

Development Costs

• Initial development expenses incurred before pre-production, such as optioning scripts or acquiring underlying rights.

Expenses Outside New York State

• Any production-related costs incurred outside New York State, even if related to the same project, are not eligible for the tax credit.

For example, let’s say you’re a commercial producer with a client who wants to shoot in New York twice a year. 

Out of habit, you choose a location in New York City. At the end of the year, when you go to apply for tax credits, you realize that both commercial budgets only total $375,000. This means you are totally ineligible for any rebates :/

HOWEVER, had you shot for the same client, with the same budget, at Cobalt Woodstock in Upstate New York… NY State would have cut you a check for up to $112,500. WOW!!! Enough to make you say hmmmmmm….

In addition, most producers only need to shoot one commercial (to hit the $100K threshold) in Upstate New York to receive credits from the NYS Commercial Tax Credit Program.

It’s no surprise that working and filming in New York City leads to some exorbitant fees. There’s no way around it… and housing a crew, especially a large one, is going to be a costly venture.

Upstate New York has a lower cost of living and operating compared to New York City. This is important to keep in mind, as it translates to lower costs for accommodations, catering, transportation, location fees, and crews.

These reduced costs amplify the benefits of the tax credits by lowering the overall budget needed for production.

What’s a production without a talented crew? At Cobalt Stages, we have tendrils in the local community. That means experienced crews, more affordable day rates, savings on local hotels, personal recommendations for dining, fun weekend excursions, and much more.

In this case, it’s not just about dollars and cents, it’s also about convenience. That’s what makes us a turnkey studio. We’re in the business of making your experience a positive one and will do what’s necessary to assist with travel and creative solutions!

Access to local resources is what makes the NYS Commercial Tax Credit Program (part of the greater New York State Film Tax Credit Program) even more beneficial in Upstate New York.

Let’s give a standing ovation to the dynamic benefits the NYS Commercial Tax Credit Program brings to producers and their clients. With reduced costs, production companies can focus more on creative elements, pushing the boundaries of innovation and storytelling.

Producers can take greater risks and explore innovative ideas that might have been previously unaffordable. This leads to more engaging, original, and high-quality commercials that stands out in a crowded market.  Not to mention, our Virtual Production capabilities here at Cobalt…

The support from local businesses and the availability of state-of-the-art facilities also ensure that all logistical needs are met – all under one roof.

In the competitive world of commercial production, location is everything. The NYS Commercial Tax Credit Program gives New York (in general) a serious edge over other states and countries. 

These attractive tax credits act like magnets, drawing in projects that might otherwise have headed to Hollywood or exotic locales. Just this month, we have TWO new West Coast clients shooting with us.  Nuf said.

New York’s charm isn’t just in its iconic skyline or scenic landscapes; it’s in the financial savings that make it an irresistible choice for production companies – especially in Upstate New York.

Roll the credits, because it’s clear that the NYS Commercial Tax Credit Program is the unsung hero here. By offering financial incentives, creating jobs, and boosting the creative process, this program is a game-changer. 

The result? More productions are looking to Upstate New York as their backdrop, turning the region into a bustling hub of creativity and innovation.  Upstate New York is ready for its close-up, and the future of commercial production looks brighter than ever. 

Lights, camera, action – let’s make some magic happen!

Ready to get started on your commercial shoot? 

Let’s talk.

P.S. – Wanna double check my research?  I encourage you to do so!  

Call Irina at (212) 803-3225.  

Or email her at:  irina.krassilnikova@esd.ny.gov