Elected at 26 to the New York State Assembly, my guest today, filmmaker Rafael Espinal says it was easier to become a politician than chase his dreams into indie film. Think about that for a moment!
Now he's helping you achieve your dreams by serving as commissioner of New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, or MOME. And what I mean by that is I didn't expect him to be so in tune with the plights of independent filmmaking, in New York City and elsewhere. We talk about the challenges of indie filmmaking in NYC, including improving permitting; how it can be competitive globally; childcare in the city and how that affects filmmakers; the hopeful rise of more diverse voices, and more.
All that said, the main takeaway if you're out there wanting to make a film career in NYC, he's on your side. And if you want to move your production studio or career to the best city in the world, he's the man for that as well.
I don't think you can listen to this episode and not be bullish on the prospects of making a film in New York City over the next few years.
In this episode, Rafael and I talk about:
why he is the best person to lead the NYC MOME right now -- he's an indie filmmaker as well (he made his first film recently);
what he's going to do with his film -- festival route? YouTube? -- and how that affects how he runs MOME;
what does the commission do for me?;
his sympathies (but honest advice) for the filmmakers not applying for permits in the city;
his comments when taking the job that " the systems are extremely archaic in a way that creates a burden on production companies" -- have things improved?;
production space in NYC and the role of AI in the built environment;
how the Mayor's goal of free childcare throughout the city will influence filmmakers in the city and what MOME can do to help;
diversifying the industry in New York City and how making it "look like our subway cars" actually happens;
whatever happened to the Alliance for Downtown New York's Filmmaker in Chief initiative and how we get MOME's name out there in terms of outreach?
how does NYC plan to stay competitive in attracting global productions?
his goals for the next few years.
Memorable Quotes:
" Just recently, I made my first professional short film that I've been working on."
" Like every filmmaker, we sit at home thinking about, how do we get exposure, who's gonna help us produce and make our first film?"
" What I'm most proud of about the team here at the film office is that the folks running the permit system are actually independent filmmakers themselves."
" If you want to ensure that you don't have the NYPD or any other agency come down and shut down your production, the best thing you can do is come to us."
"[I] remember what it is to be someone who's just trying to make their film, who is looking for their way into the industry. And that's what I bring to the table."
" Our dream here is to see a film industry and a film landscape where the workers and the directors and the folks on sets look like our subway cars, right?"
" Going to the DMV is not the most pleasant experience, and I don't want filmmakers to feel like going to MOME feels like going to the DMV, right?"
" There are folks out there, investors doubling down on building stages in the city of New York."
" It was easier for me to become a politician than it was to be a film director."
" We haven't fully baked it yet, but I'm thinking about how do we replicate that idea and create filmmakers in each borough."
" At the end of the day, top line, I would love to say that New York has become the easiest and most affordable place to make a movie."
Links:
Follow Rafael On Instagram
Follow MOME On Instagram
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