New York is the city of choice for many film directors and television producers when scouting for locations. Its iconic buildings are often seen on the screen in addition to local landmarks on the lesser-known streets. A tour industry for tourists is thriving, designed for the star struck to get their fix of their favorite movies and top shows. On Location Tours (www.screentours.com) run a Bus Tour lasting 3.5 hours for the Sex and the City show. Over 40 locations associated with Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte are featured, including the bakery where Miranda shops and the SoHo gallery where Charlotte works. The tour also includes locations from the movie version. Participants must be at least 13 years of age. The company also run the New York TV and Movie Sites Tour, which takes in film locations including Spider-Man, and TV locations for shows such as Friends and Will and Grace.
The most popular situation comedy of recent times is Seinfeld. The everyday story of Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer ran for nine seasons. The character of Cosmo Kramer, Seinfeld’s eccentric neighbor, is said to be based on Kenny Kramer, the real life neighbor of co-creator, Larry David. Kenny runs his own tour called theKramer’s Reality Tour (www.kennykramer.com), a 3 hour Bus and Video Tour through Manhattan locations, such as the real corner restaurant, Tom’s Diner, and the Soup Shop. Kenny talks about the show and shows rare video footage.
The award winning Sopranos has a loyal band of devotees, fascinated with the story of the mobster, Tony Soprano and his family and “colleagues”. All New York Tours (www.allnewyorktours.com) run 4 hour guided Bus Tours through more than 40 New Jersey locations, including the diner where Chris is shot, Pizzaland, and the Muffler Man. Participants can get off the bus and look around too. The guide talks about how the show developed and shares some trivia facts.
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Instead of booking an organized tour, it is now possible to do a kind of do it yourself version round famous Manhattan movie and TV locations. Made in NY: Walking Tours of Film and Television Locations in New York City (www.nyc.gov/film) is the brainchild of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting. Free downloadable podcasts are available that guide users to each location, starting and finishing at subway stations. There are two podcasts released so far, each lasting an hour. Ghostbusters, Annie Hall, and Men in Black are three of the movies featured. Film actor, Matthew Modine and Julianna Margulies of ER fame, narrate.
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New Yorkers claim that their city is the most filmed city in the world and they could be right. From the days of the silent movies, it’s had a magnetic pull for the cameras. From King Kong (1933) to Woody Allen’s ‘Manhattan’, the Big Apple has almost been like another character.
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