Feature Film “Oh, Hi!” shoots w/ Cobalt and makes it to Sundance!

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.

Dolly Parton, ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, & More to Appear in Jimmy Fallon Holiday Special

BY JOSH SHARPE on Broadway World

Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular, which will spotlight multi-hyphenate Jimmy Fallon’s festive new holiday album, will air Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 10 p.m. ET on NBC, following “Christmas in Rockefeller Center.”  The special will stream next day on Peacock.

It will feature a star-studded lineup of guest appearances and performances from Fallon’s cheery new holiday album. Meghan Trainor, Cara Delevingne, Dolly Parton, J.B. Smoove, Jonas Brothers, Justin Timberlake, LL Cool J, The Roots, “Weird Al” Yankovic and more.  The special will conclude with a spectacular finale from the Top of Rockefeller Center with the Radio City Rockettes that only Jimmy Fallon could bring you.

“We’re so excited to bring ‘Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular’ to our audience as part of our incredible lineup of holiday specials,” said Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events and Specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment. “Bringing his new album ‘Holiday Seasoning’ to life in such a unique way is sure to bring joy to millions all across the country.”

Earlier this month, it was announced that Fallon’s highly anticipated holiday comedy album Holiday Seasoning will be released Nov. 1 via Republic Records. The album will feature all original songs with collaborations from the biggest stars in music and comedy. Holiday Seasoning pre-order available now HERE.

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Check out Josh Sharpe’s original article here on the Broadway World, and let us know what you think!

NBC Sets Hour-Long Jimmy Fallon Holiday Special

BY JED ROSENZWEIG of the LateNighter

The hardest-working man in late night announced yet another extracurricular project Thursday: a new hour-long holiday music special.

Airing in primetime after NBC’s annual presentation of Christmas in Rockefeller Center, Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular will see the Tonight Show host reunited with many of the performers featured in his new holiday music album, including Meghan Trainor, Cara Delevingne, Dolly Parton, J.B. Smoove, Jonas Brothers, Justin Timberlake, LL COOL J, The Roots and “Weird Al” Yankovic.

The special will conclude with a spectacular finale from the Top of Rockefeller Center that will pair Fallon alongside–who else?–the Radio City Rockettes.

Fallon’s love of the holidays is well documented. The host pulls out all the stops for the season with various holiday bits on The Tonight Show, and did the same on Late Night and Saturday Night Live. Together with Chris Kattan, Tracy Morgan, and Horatio Sanz, Fallon made it a tradition over several years to perform the original Christmas song he co-wrote with Sanz, “I Wish It Was Christmas Today.”

In 2020, he released a children’s book called 5 More Sleeps ’til Christmas, which this year begat a Halloween-themed spinoff titled 5 More Sleeps ’til Halloween.

Fallon has been working on his new album, Holiday Seasoning, for years now. The record is packed with 16 original holiday songs, including the three previously released singles “Almost Too Early For Christmas” with Dolly Parton, “It Was A…(Masked Christmas)” with Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion, and “Wrap Me Up” with Meghan Trainor.

Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular is produced by Jesse Collins, whose past producing credits include The Oscars, The Grammys, the Emmys, and the Super Bowl Halftime special.

The special will air on NBC December 4th at 10:00 PM,and streams next day on Peacock.

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Check out Jed Rosenzweig’s original article here on the LateNighter, and let us know what you think!

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

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.