Beacon and the Hudson Valley have become regular destinations for major motion pictures and episodic television to film in. Filming up here is cheaper than it is in New York City or LA, which brings employment and creative opportunities to the people of this region. However, film production companies should not take advantage of the naivety of this region simply because the experience of dealing with top tier, well-funded, union-based productions is not deep yet. Beacon does not need to be a film production company’s 3-for-1 special. Leave that deal for English muffins at the grocery store.

A Little Beacon Blog is hosting the first of several panels on employment, negotiation tactics, and compensation strategies for this and other opportunities. Moderated by ALBB’s Publisher and Editor Katie Hellmuth who has a background in the film industry from working on Law & Order, a Lil’ Kim video, a Toyota commercial, a Burger King corporate event, interning for independent film producer Eden Wurmfeld (Kissing Jessica Stein, etc) and other film jobs.

Featuring DGA (Directors Guild of America) Union and career Location Manager, David Ray Martin, whose credits include War of the Words, Cold Mountain, Step Up, The Other Guys, Swagger, Younger, Pan Am, and other film and episodic television. Location Managers and their departments are the key to getting a business, resident, and municipality what they need when a film production wants to film in the town.

David lives in Beacon, NY and commuted from Beacon to New York City for his daily work. He also accepted jobs in Virginia, North Carolina and Ohio, following film industry employment to other states when tax credits offered a production more incentives to locate there.

Covered In This Panel

In order to help people know when they can and should be compensated for a situation, David will take questions from the audience, and provide guidance on scenarios the people of Beacon have been facing with these productions, including:

Lights On: If a production ask you to “keep the lights on,” should you be compensated?
Equipment Parked in Parking Lot: If film equipment spreads into your parking lot while filming happens inside or outside of another location, should you be compensated?
Landlord vs Business: Who should be compensate? (Hint: Business for sure; Landlord maybe)
Actors Walk In To Your Store: Wow!! Actors walk into your store unscripted, while being filmed in the shot. Are you entitled to compensation?
Half Day vs Full Day vs They Stayed Late: What time frames should you expect?
Cleanup: Who is cleaning this?
Staff: Should my staff be paid by the production company to not work?
Contracts: Get that contract. Read every word. Negotiate everything. Every minute. The film production does per their union rules! So you should too.
And more scenarios

Sponsors Opportunities

This film panel is free to attend, thanks to our sponsors. We want you there and to learn. Sponsor Opportunities are open now and include:

Title Sponsor ($650 - only 4 spots available)
Logo on the Flyer
Logo on this Panel Page
1 Minute Introduction/Presentation on your business before panel begins
Shout-out in Social Media

Supporting Role Sponsor ($350)
Logo on this Panel Page
Shout-out in Social Media

Cameo Sponsor ($150)
Business Listed on this Panel Page (no logo)
Shout-out in Social Media

Book Your Sponsorship Now

Location, Date & Time

Carter’s has graciously agreed to host this panel in the back room of their restaurant, extending a 10% discount on all food and drink. You’re not obligated to purchase, but it helps Jon immensely.
Day: Tuesday, December 1st, 2026
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Carter’s, 424 Main Street, Beacon, NY
RSVP: Free, but we need to know who is coming so we can set the room up.
Let ALBB know you’re coming.

Panel Experts

If you would like to lend your expertise as a panel expert on future panels, please contact us.

City of Beacon representatives will not be on this particular panel, as we want to start with industry experts before involving the City on these educational panels. City of Beacon representatives are of course welcome to attend as guests.