Visit Binghamton, Visit Syracuse marketing Southern Tier, CNY for film production

Visit Binghamton and Visit Syracuse announced they are working together to market the Southern Tier and Central New York as an “ideal location” where production companies can film their movies.

Both the Visit Syracuse and Visit Binghamton film offices issued separate news releases about their partnership.

After less than a year, this partnership has gained placement in Variety magazine, a publication that focuses on entertainment business news, per the Visit Binghamton film office.

Moving into 2023, the Visit Binghamton film office has already secured multiple productions, which will create jobs, provide a boost in tourism and a “positive economic impact” for the local community, the organization said. Traditionally, a minimum of 50 percent of every film’s budget will remain in the region.

In 2022, Onondaga County had a “record year” with more than $30 million in film-production budgets in the area. Of that, a minimum of 50 percent stayed in the county. The Visit Syracuse Film Office credits partnerships with city and county offices; American High, a Liverpool–based production company; Hulu; and organizations like CNY Arts for the success.

Louis Newman, a Broome County native and Visit Binghamton’s film & TV coordinator, and Eric Vinal, Visit Syracuse’s VP of film, TV & entertainment, work together to market, develop, and increase film, television, and commercial productions in the Southern Tier area, per Visit Binghamton.

Using New York State’s film-incentive program, they help in connecting productions to local crew, talent, equipment, services, vendors, municipalities, local government, and hotels.

“An increase in film, television, and commercial productions will provide an economic boost to our region,” Newman said. “The Binghamton community has been incredibly supportive thus far, whether a government official or a business leader, we have established a strong network that will allow all productions to succeed while they are in our community.”

Eric Vinal has been in the film industry, boosting the Central New York area since 2014. His leadership serves as a guiding force in the newly established partnership, the film offices say.

“This is an extremely exciting opportunity and time for Binghamton, Broome County, the Southern Tier, and Visit Syracuse (Film Office). As a member of the community for years while my brother and I attended SUNY Binghamton, I feel a strong connection to the region, and I have gained solid local knowledge. Working with Louis Newman and the team at Visit Binghamton, we are able to take our skill sets, experiences and processes from Central NY and implement them efficiently to help the region attract and manage productions in a more effective and impactful way,” Vinal said in Visit Binghamton’s release.

In the Visit Syracuse release, Vinal went on to say, “Central New York crew, equipment, vendors, soundstages, hotels, and the Syracuse Hancock International Airport will all be utilized for productions in and around Broome County. This teamwork is mutually beneficial and strategic.”