TL;DR
A corporate brand film in New York City costs $25,000–$150,000+ in 2026, with the realistic mid-market at $40,000–$75,000 for a 3–5 minute film with a 4–6 person crew and 2 shoot days. NYC is the most expensive production city in North America and competes directly with London at the premium end. Two decisions define most of the cost variance: union versus non-union crew, and whether you need Manhattan location permits. A union (IATSE) shoot adds 35–55% versus a comparable non-union production. A Manhattan street permit through the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) costs $300–$3,500 per day depending on scope, with approval in 2–10 business days. Get these decisions nailed in the brief — they move the budget more than camera package or deliverable count.
The union question: IATSE vs non-union
No decision affects a New York production budget more than whether you shoot union or non-union. Here is what each means in practice.
IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) governs most mid-to-large commercial and brand film productions in New York. Under the current commercial production agreement, IATSE members work under negotiated minimums, pension contributions (18.5% of gross wages to the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans), and strict meal penalty and turnaround rules. A union DP on a New York commercial shoot earns a negotiated minimum of $800–$1,200/day before benefits — comparable to non-union rates — but pension, health, and payroll overhead add 30–40% on top. An 8-person union crew day in Manhattan costs $12,000–$18,000 all-in including benefits and payroll company fees.
Non-union crew works on negotiated individual day rates without pension contribution overhead. A 5-person non-union crew day in New York runs $6,000–$10,000 including gear. Non-union is feasible and widely used for corporate brand films under $80,000. The risk: some union talent will decline non-union work, and if SAG-AFTRA performers (professional actors) are hired, the production must go SAG even if the crew is non-union. Stick to non-actor on-screen talent — real employees, real executives — and non-union is straightforward.
The decision tree: if you have SAG-AFTRA actors on screen, go union. If you have a budget above $100,000 and want top-tier NYC commercial talent, union is the norm. Under $80,000 with non-actor cast, non-union is the standard choice and saves $15,000–$30,000 on a mid-market project.
2026 NYC price bands
| Tier | Budget (USD) | Crew | Shoot days | Union status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $25K–$40K | 2–3 | 1 | Non-union |
| Mid-market | $40K–$75K | 4–6 | 2 | Non-union |
| Premium | $75K–$120K | 6–10 | 3–4 | Non-union or mixed |
| High-end | $120K–$200K+ | 10+ | 4–6 | Full union (IATSE) |
All figures are production costs in USD, excluding agency fees, media spend, and SAG-AFTRA talent buyout. New York City sales tax (8.875%) applies to some production services — confirm taxable vs exempt line items with your production company.
IATSE day rates and NYC crew costs
For reference, current non-union freelance day rates in New York (2026 market, not negotiated minimums):
- Director: $1,200–$2,500/day depending on reel and experience
- Director of Photography: $1,000–$1,800/day personal rate; camera package (ARRI Alexa Mini LF, SONY VENICE) hire $800–$1,500/day additional
- 1st AC: $600–$900/day
- Gaffer: $650–$950/day; best boy/spark $450–$650/day
- Sound recordist: $700–$1,100/day including kit
- Line producer / production manager: $800–$1,400/day
- Production assistant: $300–$500/day
For IATSE union crew, add 30–40% across the board for pension, health contributions, and payroll company overhead. A non-union crew day for a 5-person team in New York runs $4,500–$7,500 in day rates before gear, locations, and catering. Full union equivalent: $6,500–$11,000 in labour costs alone.
Manhattan permit costs and logistics
Filming on any public property in New York City — streets, parks, public plazas, sidewalks adjacent to landmarks — requires a permit from the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME). Standard permit fees in 2026:
- Standard street permit: $300 application fee plus a $1 million general liability insurance certificate. Processing time: 2–5 business days. Allows filming on streets with a crew under 20 people.
- Large production permit: $3,500 base fee for productions requiring lane closures, generators, or equipment trucks. Requires FDNY and NYPD coordination. Allow 7–10 business days.
- Park permit (NYC Parks): $400–$1,500/day depending on park and scope. Central Park commercial shoots require a separate Commercial Filming Permit at $2,500–$5,000/day.
- Private location fees: Photogenic Manhattan office space and loft rentals run $2,500–$8,000/day. Brooklyn studio hire (Greenpoint, Bushwick, Red Hook warehouse spaces) runs $1,500–$5,000/day — a significant saving over Manhattan.
Parking for production vehicles in Manhattan is a genuine logistics challenge. A grip truck and cargo van parked legally near a Midtown location can cost $200–$600/day in parking permits and police coordination. Many New York productions load in, shoot, and load out in a single day to avoid overnight storage costs.
Brooklyn studio ranges and the outer-boroughs advantage
Manhattan is not the only viable location for a New York brand film. Brooklyn has become one of the most productive studio markets in the country, with a cluster of world-class facilities in Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Red Hook:
- Greenpoint / Williamsburg: Mid-size loft and warehouse studios at $1,500–$3,500/day. Strong natural light, exposed brick and industrial aesthetics popular with tech, DTC, and professional services brands.
- Bushwick: Large raw spaces, lower rates ($1,000–$2,500/day), popular for productions needing volume and flexibility. Less polished aesthetics but great for building custom sets.
- Red Hook: Waterfront warehouses with Manhattan skyline backgrounds at $2,000–$4,500/day. The skyline view makes this a preferred option for financial services and tech brands that want the New York establishing shot without Midtown permit logistics.
- Steiner Studios (Brooklyn Navy Yard): The city's largest full-service studio complex. Day hire for mid-size stages runs $3,500–$7,000/day. Full production infrastructure on-site including grip warehouse, makeup, and production offices.
For a corporate brand film where the "New York" visual is important but doesn't require Times Square or Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn saves $5,000–$15,000 on a mid-market shoot in reduced location fees and permit friction.
Post-production in New York
New York has some of the world's finest post-production facilities — Company 3, Nice Shoes, Light Iron, Harbor Picture Company — but mid-market brand films rarely need this infrastructure. A solid online edit and grade can be done remotely with a strong colourist working in DaVinci Resolve; UK clients working with MKTRL can manage the grade and sound in London post-production, saving $5,000–$15,000 versus a New York facility booking.
Editorial timeline for a 4-minute NYC brand film: 60–90 hours offline edit, 15–25 hours colour (depending on visual complexity), 10–18 hours sound design, 2–4 days for motion graphics. Total post: 6–8 weeks at standard pace, 4 weeks on a rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a corporate brand film cost in New York City in 2026?
The realistic mid-market is $40,000–$75,000 for a 3–5 minute film, non-union crew, 2 shoot days, full post-production. Entry level is $25,000 for a single-day shoot with minimal post. Premium non-union productions run $75,000–$120,000. Full union (IATSE) productions start at $120,000 and regularly exceed $200,000 for multi-day campaigns.
Should I use union or non-union crew for a New York corporate brand film?
For budgets under $100,000 with non-actor talent on screen, non-union is the standard choice and saves $15,000–$30,000. If professional actors (SAG-AFTRA members) appear on camera, the production must be SAG-signatory even if the crew is non-union. For budgets above $120,000, union crew is the norm in New York commercial production.
How much do Manhattan filming permits cost?
Standard street permits cost $300 through MOME plus a $1 million liability certificate. Large productions needing lane closures pay $3,500. Central Park commercial permits run $2,500–$5,000/day. Private Manhattan location rentals add $2,500–$8,000/day. Brooklyn locations are significantly cheaper at $1,500–$5,000/day with lower permit friction.
Is Brooklyn a viable alternative to Manhattan for brand film production?
Yes, and it's frequently better value. Greenpoint, Red Hook, and Bushwick studios offer warehouse aesthetics, Manhattan skyline backgrounds, and day rates of $1,000–$4,500 versus $2,500–$8,000 for equivalent Manhattan spaces. For brands that need the New York visual without Times Square, Brooklyn is the standard choice for productions under $80,000.
How does New York compare to London in production cost?
At non-union crew rates, New York and London are broadly comparable — within 10–20% of each other. The gap widens on union productions where IATSE benefit overhead adds 30–40% that London doesn't have. London permit infrastructure is generally simpler and cheaper for equivalent street and landmark access. New York studio hire in Brooklyn competes favourably with East London equivalents.
What camera package is standard for a New York brand film?
Mid-market: ARRI Alexa Mini, Sony VENICE, or RED Monstro. Entry level: Sony FX6, Blackmagic URSA. Premium: ARRI Alexa 35 or ARRI Alexa Mini LF with prime lenses (Zeiss Supreme, Master Primes). Camera hire is separate from crew day rates — budget $800–$1,500/day for a cinema package on top of DP day rate.
How long does a New York brand film project take from brief to delivery?
Standard timeline: 2 weeks pre-production (brief, treatment, location scouting, permits), 1–2 shoot days, 5–7 weeks post-production. Rush delivery under 4 weeks adds 30–50% in crew and facility costs. MOME permits need 2–10 business days — start the permit application as soon as shoot dates are confirmed.
Can a UK production company manage a New York shoot?
Yes. MKTRL manages transatlantic productions regularly. The model: UK executive producer, New York line producer as the local production lead, local non-union crew hired through a New York production services company. Post can be split — picture editorial in New York, grade and sound in London. This structure gives you creative continuity with local production competence and avoids the premium on New York post house rates.