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

What is a Turnkey Soundstage?

As a “by-producers, for-producers” soundstage, we understand your need for streamlined processes, practical solutions, and uncompromising value – and we’ve really upped the ante…

We believe that the most meaningful way to do that is by being Turnkey. Cobalt’s Turnkey status means that all the most sought-after tools and amenities you need are already here—ready to roll.

You can’t call yourself a true Turnkey Soundstage without offering Virtual Production, too!

The integration of Virtual Production into Turnkey soundstages is becoming the new standard. Why?

With a Turnkey Virtual Production Soundstage, you get:

• Enhanced creative capabilities (think immersive environments and immediate feedback)
• Full Cost efficiency (reduced need for physical sets)
• Increased production speed (simultaneous post-production processes)
• Improved safety and control (controlled environment with minimal risks)
• High-quality visuals (real-time rendering, LED, and moco)

Our Turnkey Soundstage is built to meet the evolving needs of modern content creation. Let us show you how!

The New York Commercial Tax Credit Program

New York State (NYS) has always been a hub for the Industry, with a bustling production scene and diversity of talent. To further stimulate growth and attract more commercial production, NYS offers the Commercial Tax Credit Program, tailored specifically for the Industry. 

This initiative aims to provide financial incentives to production companies, making it more appealing to shoot commercials and other media projects in the state. 

Here, we take a look at the specifics of the program, its benefits for the Industry, how production companies can leverage these credits, and where the best place is to shoot (HINT: IT’S UPSTATE). 

The Difference Between Shooting in New York City vs. Shooting Upstate

If you’re thinking about shooting in New York State, there’s a big difference in savings between filming in Upstate vs. Downstate. The two regions are defined as follows:

Downstate

The Downstate component is based on filming or recording qualified commercials within the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD), which includes New York City, Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester counties.

Upstate

The Upstate component is based on filming or recording qualified commercials outside the MCTD but within NYS.

Key Differences Between Filming in Upstate vs. Downstate

Spend

Upstate, you only need to spend $100,000 to start receiving benefits, whereas in downstate, you need to spend $500,000.

Credit

The credit offered for Downstate is $4 million and $3 million for Upstate, for a total of $ 7 million per year offered.

Rebate Percentage

The rebate percentage is 50% greater upstate compared to downstate. 

Winner: UPSTATE NEW YORK

Understanding the NYS Commercial Tax Credit Program for the Entertainment Industry

The NYS Commercial Tax Credit Program is designed to encourage commercial production within the state by offering tax credits for eligible expenses. 

The program targets various aspects of commercial production, including:

• Pre-production
• Production
• Post-production

By providing these incentives, the state aims to boost economic activity, create jobs, and solidify New York’s reputation as a premier destination for media production.

Key Features of the Program

1. Eligibility Criteria: The program is open to production companies that create commercials, music videos, and other media content. To qualify, companies must incur specific production-related expenses within New York State.
2. Types of Tax Credits: The program offers tax credits for various production-related costs, including:
   • Production Costs: Expenses related to filming, such as camera equipment, lighting, and sound.
   • Labor Costs: Wages and salaries paid to crew members, actors, and other production staff.
   • Post-Production Costs: Costs associated with editing, special effects, and sound design.
3. Application Process: Production companies must apply through the New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development. The application process requires detailed documentation of expenses and how they contribute to the production within New York.

Benefits of the NYS Commercial Tax Credit Program for the Entertainment Industry

The NYS Commercial Tax Credit Program offers numerous benefits tailored to the needs of the entertainment industry, including:

1. Financial Incentives: The tax credits help reduce the overall production costs, making it more feasible for companies to shoot commercials and other media projects in New York.
2. Job Creation: The program promotes job creation by encouraging production companies to hire local talent and crew, contributing to the state’s employment growth in the entertainment sector.
3. Economic Development: By attracting more commercial productions, the program stimulates local economies, driving demand for various goods and services such as hotels, catering, and transportation.
4. Competitive Edge: Offering attractive tax credits makes New York a competitive location for commercial production, drawing in projects that might otherwise go to other states or countries.

How to Apply

Applying for the NYS Commercial Tax Credit Program involves several key steps:

1. Research Eligibility: Production companies should first determine if their project meets the eligibility criteria for the program. This includes understanding the specific tax credits available and how they apply to their production activities.
2. Prepare Documentation: Gather all necessary documentation, including detailed expense reports and descriptions of how these expenses relate to the production within New York State.
3. Submit Application: Complete the application form available on the New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development website and submit it along with the required documentation.
4. Follow Up: After submitting the application, production companies should follow up with the office to ensure their application is being processed and to provide any additional information if needed.

Final Thoughts

The NYS Commercial Tax Credit Program is a valuable resource for the entertainment industry. It provides crucial financial incentives that make commercial production more affordable and attractive in New York State. 

By offering these benefits, the program helps create jobs, stimulates economic growth, and reinforces New York’s position as a leading center for media production. 

Production companies interested in taking advantage of this program should carefully review the eligibility criteria, prepare thorough documentation, and submit a complete application to maximize their benefits.

Resources  

• New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development
• NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
• Production Tax Credit Information
• Post-Production Tax Credit Details

By tapping into the resources provided by the NYS Commercial Tax Credit Program, production companies can enhance their projects while contributing to the vibrant entertainment landscape of New York State.

Want to chat about filming in New York? We’d love to chat about getting you started. 

Let’s Talk.

How Modern Filmmakers Use Virtual Production: A Few Examples

Virtual Production has undoubtedly revolutionized the way movies and TV shows are made. It offers modern filmmakers a new vehicle for storytelling, with unprecedented flexibility and immersive realism. 

From developing post-apocalyptic landscapes to aging characters over decades, Virtual Production technology has been a game-changer for the Industry. 

Here, we take a quick minute to explore some of the standout films and performances that have taken advantage of VP, showcasing the innovation and creativity that drives today’s filmmaking.

“The Midnight Sky” stars George Clooney (who also directed the Netflix film) as Augustine, a brilliant but reclusive scientist researching other habitable planets. This becomes crucial when humanity is nearly wiped out and Earth is contaminated by deadly radiation.

“The Midnight Sky” used ILM’s StageCraft technology for its virtual sets in two main scenes: 

1. Early in the movie, LED screens created the effect of Augustine observing the vast arctic wilderness from an observatory.
2. Later, the screens facilitated communication with a spaceship. 

Virtual Production was used from the very beginning to previzualize important scenes, including a spacewalk and a sequence in which a habitation pod sinks into freezing water. 

What’s even cooler is that 3D models of the respective environments were built and populated with virtual humans (synthespians). Everything created was easily viewed on an iPad.

This virtual technology enhanced the realism and immersion for both the actors and the audience. It was planned to be used in the wide IMAX release, which was curtailed by COVID.

Netflix’s “The Witcher” uses a combination of green screen and Virtual Production to recreate entire fantasy worlds on a TV budget.

The series uses extensive virtual sets with CGI elements to recreate elaborate, immersive environments that seamlessly blend with practical sets. Traditional green screen techniques are combined with CG assets rendered in post-production, giving it a particularly gritty aesthetic.

This strategy enhanced the show’s visual fidelity while streamlining the production process, allowing for greater creative freedom and flexibility.

For Season Two of the hit series, the EFX team brought its new AR visualization tool Cyclops to set. This tool provided production team members and crew the ability to view digital characters and assets in a real-world context as they planned the storytelling action.

Giddy-up P.A.’s!!!

Nearly two decades after The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions seemingly concluded the saga of our hacker friend Neo and his fellow freedom fighters, the final installation was released in 2021. 

Lana Wachowski directed and co-wrote the film, which brought back VFX supervisor Dan Glass. Using Virtual Production, he achieved the visual effects for Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s sentient, fluid-like Morpheus.

How did they do this? The character Yahya (and actor) is in scenes delivering dialogue with the other actors, and then he’s painted out. The EFX team used a head cam to capture his facial animation so they could mimic what he does and then use that data to drive a fluid simulation for the character.

Another scene that uses various aspects of Virtual Production is the chase scene at the end through San Francisco. It was an excellent collaboration of all different trades. It starts with a lot of practical set elements. Real actors on a gimbaled bike are being pulled around, with stunt extras running after them. However, shots with people dive bombing were all CG.

One of the first significant applications of Virtual Production in a major Hollywood film was for the 2013 sci-fi adventure, “Oblivion.” 

The film is set in a post-apocalyptic 2077 where Earth is uninhabitable, and the Moon has been destroyed due to an alien invasion. Tom Cruise stars in dual roles as two clones of a man named Jack Harper.

For “Oblivion,” the primary use of virtual sets was to create the Sky Tower location. 

While the floors, walls, and ceilings of the towers were physical sets, the surrounding sky and clouds were projected onto a wraparound backdrop.

While earlier movies and TV shows had used basic forms of Virtual Production, “Oblivion” is considered a pioneering example of modern Virtual Production techniques.

The 2017 live-action remake of “Ghost in the Shell” received praise for its stunning visual effects. Set in a near-future Japan where the line between humans and robots is blurred, the film relied heavily on digital and computer effects to recreate its cyberpunk cityscape. 

One standout feature was the creation of nearly 400 “Solograms” (holographic advertisements), which were integrated into the virtual city setting. The scale of these 3D images was unprecedented.

Katy Perry’s live performance of “Daisies” on American Idol marked a historic moment in television with the extensive use of Extended Reality (XR). 

The 3D virtual environment included interactive elements like a house, chair, and flowers, allowing Perry to interact with these virtual objects in real time.

The integration of Virtual Production into filmmaking has marked a significant leap forward for the Industry, allowing for more dynamic, immersive, and visually stunning productions. From early adopters like “Oblivion” to recent hits like “The Midnight Sky,” VP has proven its worth in creating believable worlds and enhancing storytelling. 

As Virtual Production continues to evolve, we can expect even more groundbreaking applications that will push the boundaries of what is possible on screen, transforming our viewing experiences and setting new standards in visual storytelling.

Ready to get started with Virtual Production? 

Let’s Talk.

Summer is Swinging in Woodstock… and at Cobalt!

August Events

Saturday, August 10

35th Annual Blueberry Festival in Ellenville

35th Annual Blueberry Festival with vendors, food court, and music in the Village of Ellenville!

August 20 – 25

Dutchess County Fair

The 6-day Dutchess County Fair will feature Agriculture, Horticulture, Turn-of-the-Century Treasures, Working Blacksmith Shop & Gas Powered Engine Show, and so much more.

Case Study: DogTV Takes Over Cobalt!