10what's new Kaufman’s new lot makes Queens ‘Hollywood East’ DECEMBER 2013 I LIC COURIER I www.queenscourier.com Photo by Angy Altamirano Kaufman Astoria Studios celebrated the grand opening of its outdoor fi lm set, the fi rst of its kind in New York City, and a brand new gated entrance. BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO Queens is on its way to becoming the next Hollywood. Kaufman Astoria representatives, local and state elected offi cials, community leaders and the beloved Grover from Sesame Street gathered on December 3 to cut the ribbon on New York City’s fi rst outdoor fi lm set at Kaufman Astoria Studios on 36th Street between 34th and 35th Avenues. “Today is the celebration of a vision coming true, it is why I’m smiling,” said Hal Rosenbluth, president of Kaufman Astoria Studios. “The backlot is an exciting new development for the fi lm and television industry in New York, as well as for this area of Astoria.” The grand opening also revealed a brand new gated entrance, designed by David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group, located at 35th Avenue. The 40-foot high steel gate, which can be used as a catwalk for productions, serves as an identifi able iconic symbol in the community and also welcomes visitors into the block-long 34,800-square-foot outdoor lot. “As the fi rst dedicated backlot in the fi ve boroughs, fi lm and television productions are now more likely to yell ‘action’ and choose Kaufman Astoria Studios and New York City as a location for fi lming,” said Senator Charles Schumer. “It’s great to say that Kaufman Astoria Studios is now ready for its close up. We’re rolling out the red carpet for the studio’s brand new lot. It’s a game changer for New York. I like to see New York be number one in everything and we are getting there. Hollywood watch out.” The brand new outdoor lot is expected to bring in more movie and TV producers because it would allow them to shoot outdoors, stage special effects shoots, and leave sets up for extended periods of time. It is located adjacent to the sound stages, allowing access to dressing rooms, a production offi ce and set building workshops. “The addition of New York City’s fi rst-ever outdoor sound stage puts Astoria on the map when it comes to producing blockbuster movies in the United States,” said Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer. “From a dormant industrial building, Kaufman Astoria Studios has built a world-class institution that has helped western Queens become ‘Hollywood East.’” Together with this new expansion, Kaufman Astoria Studios hopes to continue working on the vision George Kaufman, real estate developer and studio chairman, had over 30 years ago of growing the arts and culture in Astoria and bringing the neighborhood together. Current productions at Kaufman Astoria Studios include television shows such as Netfl ix’s “Orange is the New Black” and Amazon’s “Alpha House.”
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