Why New York City Was Chosen as the Setting for 'Seinfeld' Despite Filming in LA
The iconic American sitcom Seinfeld may have used New York City as its setting, but did the show's production team really film in the Big Apple, or was it simply a strategic decision? Let's delve into the realities of production in the entertainment industry and explore the reasons behind these choices.
Production Factors and Economics
The production facilities in Los Angeles (LA) are more varied and extensive compared to New York City (NYC), making it the preferred choice for many productions. LA offers a wide array of locations, studio spaces, and specialized production facilities that can easily mimic NYC's iconic urban landscape. Additionally, LA's downtown area can easily substitute for NYC due to the abundance of large, open spaces and diverse architecture.
Another significant factor is the cost of production. New York City is an extremely expensive location to film in, especially for a TV series with a significant budget. In modern times, the fees and incentives offered by the city are so high that even low-budget films opt for other locations, such as Toronto, while incorporating limited footage from NYC. This practice is common across many TV shows and films.
Historical Context and the Move to Hollywood
The shift of the motion picture industry from the East Coast to Southern California occurred in the early 20th century primarily due to three main reasons:
Weather and Sunlight: California's climate offered year-round warm, sunny weather, providing ample natural light and outdoor settings that required minimal electricity and artificial lighting.
Legal and Rights Issues: Conflicts with East Coast entrepreneurs, who owned patents essential to early filmmaking, compelled filmmakers to move westward to avoid costly licensing fees and royalties.
Cost of Land: Cheap land in Hollywood and the surrounding areas allowed for cost-effective production, further incentivizing the move.
These factors have had a lasting impact on the industry, making LA the primary hub for film and television production.
Setting the Scene: Seinfeld and New York
One of the most famous NYC-based TV shows, Seinfeld, chose to set the story in New York City, largely because the main actors grew up there and it felt like a natural fit. However, the actual filming took place in LA, primarily at Universal Studios. This decision was not driven by economic necessity but by practical convenience and the maintainability of the production.
The show utilized what is known as 'B roll' footage, which comprised actual shots taken in NYC. This footage was incorporated into the final scenes, allowing the producers to maintain the authenticity of the setting without the associated costs of filming in the city. The main scenes, such as interior shots and dialogue sequences, were filmed in LA, while exterior shots were enhanced with camera tricks and CGI techniques that could replicate NYC's distinctive skyline and architecture.
Conclusion
While Seinfeld proudly portrayed New York City as its setting, the reality was that most scenes were filmed in LA. This choice was a result of a combination of practical and economic factors. LA offers more versatile and less expensive production facilities, and the availability of high-quality CGI and camera tricks allows for a convincing depiction of NYC even in a Hollywood studio.
To conclude, the preference for LA over NYC for production stemmed from the industry's evolving needs and the significant economic differences between the two locations. Despite the show's New York City setting, the decision to film in LA was strategic and economically savvy.