by Mark Dixon
Connecticut is conveniently located between New York City and Boston, Massachusetts. It offers its diverse locations from all points within easy driving distances. The Connecticut Office of Film, Television and Digital Media is the point of contact for all production in the state. The COFTDM maintains a state wide network of film liaisons at the agency, regional and municipal levels.
CT. Photo courtesy of Kate Eisemann Pictures.
Connecticut has several unique locations that have a long history of drawing location production work to the state as well as many new locations that are registered with the OFTDM’s location gallery. Yale is the “film friendly” Ivy League university. Yale has hosted feature film productions such as INDIANA JONES AND THE KINDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL, SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS 2, MONA LISA SMILE, THE LIFE BEFORE HER EYES and EVERYBODY’S FINE as well as TV shows such as The Big C, and Jeopardy! College Championship and numerous commercial and still photography productions.
For more information on filming at Yale please contact Denise Castellano at 203-432-2313, denise.castellano@yale.edu or visit www.locations.yale.edu
Mystic Seaport, The Museum of America and The Sea in Mystic, Connecticut continues to be one of Connecticut’s “anchor locations.” The 19 acre seaport features a period waterfront village, and a small fleet of tall and small ships that have played host to feature productions such as AMISTAD and CARRY ME HOME to commercials for Fed-X, Wells Fargo and New England Lottery.
For more information on Filming at Mystic Seaport Please contact: Sarah Spencer Location & Production Coordinator, Mystic Seaport Museum 860-572-5309, sarah.spencer@ mysticseaport.org, or visit http://www.mysticseaport.org
One of the most beautiful seaside villages in New England, Stonington Borough is the homeport to the last commercial fishing fleet in Connecticut. It was the setting for both MYSTIC PIZZA in 1987 and HOPE SPRINGS in 2011. Visit their website at either http://www.borough.stonington.ct.us/ or http:// www.stoningtonboroughct.com
Southeastern Connecticut is also the home of Sonalysts Studios Connecticut’s largest and only purpose built studios: www.sonalystsmedia.com/gallery/Media-Group
Owned and operated by the Valley Railroad Company, the Essex Steam Train is a unique historic attraction in the Connecticut River Valley. The Valley Railroad Company has been in existence since 1868 and has been in featured in films such as RAGTIME, AMISTAD, INDIANA JONE AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL. as well as countless commercials, documentaries and still photography shoots. www.essexsteamtrain.com
Currently in Connecticut, there is a moratorium on Motion Picture tax credits until July 1, 2015 however the tax credits for Television, Commercials and all types of digital media are in full effect.
Mark Dixon is Connecticut‘s Location Services Manager. You can reach him at MarkDixon@ct.gov.
