Ending a spirited search, the New York Production Alliance (NYPA) has named Sylvia Gail Kinard to the newly created position of executive director (SHOOT, 7/12, p. 1). The move reflects the maturation of the NYPA, which was formed in 1998 by a group of concerned production, postproduction and new-media executives.
Designed to help retain and attract more business in New York State and City, the NYPA has since grown to represent 60-plus organizations. These include industry companies, trade associations and professional organizations spanning production and post, talent and craft unions, support and service businesses, and industry-related educational institutions. The NYPA encompasses such disciplines as TV, features, commercialmaking, music videos and documentaries.
"We’ve been a totally volunteer group for our entire existence," related NYPA chair Morty Dubin. "Now that’s still ninety-nine percent the case, but we have grown to the point where we needed somebody who could dedicate a significant amount of time to a number of issues important to the filmmaking community."
Kinard continues to maintain a New York-based production house, Imani Entertainment, which is currently in postproduction on a new sitcom. She formerly served as senior legislative attorney for the New York City Council, and as deputy counsel for the New York State Division of Housing.
Dubin described Kinard as ideal for the NYPA, given her experience in and understanding of "government, the public and private sectors and the creative production industry." Kinard will play a key role in further shaping and helping to implement an NYPA agenda that will promote filmmaking—including spot production—in New York.
The NYPA executive committee is currently formulating recommendations on how to best encourage business throughout the state. The organization hopes to have a series of public hearings on filming issues at the City Council level this fall. The NYPA plans to discuss its recommendations in detail during these sessions. According to Kinard, recommendations are being developed to specifically address the commercialmaking business.
New York, observed Kinard, is in the same situation as assorted other states—and, for that matter, the country. She noted, for instance, that wage tax credits to help stem runaway production are being considered in the form of federal and state legislation—an example of the latter being a California bill that is currently in that state’s Senate after passing the California Assembly (SHOOT, 6/7, p. 1).
Kinard added that the NYPA has already shown its legislative mettle. She cited the organization’s lobbying efforts, which played an integral part in the passage of a New York State tax amendment that will take effect on Dec. 1. Gov. George Pataki (R-N.Y.) recently signed the bill into law. It preserves New York State and local sales and use tax exemptions in relation to personal property and services used in the making of commercials, theatrical features, TV programs and other projects—regardless of what means is used to deliver the final product (SHOOT, 5/24, p. 1).
The economic impact of filming is profoundly positive, generating business for such assorted support services as post facilities, caterers, hotels and restaurants, as well as for crew people and artisans, related Kinard. She stressed that further steps need to be taken to "shore up New York’s competitiveness" in the bid to keep and attract more filming. "The landscape is changing. With the vertical integration of film companies, pressure is on more than ever to bring in projects on or under budget," related Kinard. "We need to try to address the needs of producers."
