Mangano: Lights, Camera, Nassau!

Film productions in county creates jobs and revenues for taxpayers

There was a familiar face in the hallways of the Theodore Roosevelt Legislative and Executive Building in Mineola today other than that of County Executive Edward P. Mangano. Among the legislators and County employees walked actor Henry Winkler, best known for his role as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in the television series Happy Days as he shot scenes for his latest role on USA Network’s Royal Pains. These days, it is not uncommon to see well-known actors shooting scenes throughout Nassau as Mangano’s administration continues to welcome the film industry to the County, much to the benefit of the taxpayers.

“Film productions create jobs and generate revenue for the people of the County,” said Mangano. “Nassau County has established film studios and promotion of filming locations including the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola. It is a great place to shoot a film, television show or commercials. We will continue to foster growth in this area.”

Some of the movies that have recently filmed in Nassau County include Man on a Ledge, starring Avatar actor Sam Worthington, Angelina Jolie’s Salt, Sex and the City II, Wall Street II, Win Win, Something Borrowed, The Smurf Movie, Fair Game, The Bounty Hunter and The Chaos Experient starring Armand Assante and Eric Roberts, and the soon to be filmed movie The Avengers,

Some of the television programs that have shot in Nassau include Keri Russell and Will Arnett in Running Wilde, Kate Winslet in the HBO miniseries Mildred Pierce, Martin Scorcese’s HBO smash-hit Boardwalk Empire starring Valley Stream native Steve Buscemi, Beach Lane, Royal Pains, Rescue Me, 30 Rock, The Good Wife and Rubicon.

“Some of the most popular television shows currently in production are filming in Nassau County,” said Mangano. “I am encouraged Nassau County is fastly becoming Hollywood East."

Mangano has long been active in luring the film industry to Nassau County. As a Legislator, Mangano worked to attract industry jobs to Nassau County. He worked tirelessly to bring Grumman Studios to Bethpage, and also Gold Coast Studios. Some of the County facilities used in film shoots include the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building, the Nassau County Correctional Facility, Sands Point Preserve and Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

On Thursday, July 14, 2011 - the Long Island Film/TV Foundation will honor the County Executive with a Benefactor of the Arts award at the closing party for the Long Island International Film Expo.

The film industry creates job and supports our local retail establishment. For example, production of the movie Salt resulted in $3 million being spent locally on supplies and the employment of over 100 construction trade workers.