NEW SCOTLAND — Film crews at Thacher Park on Wednesday did not want to be filmed themselves.

Curious onlookers were intrigued by yellow signs with arrows saying “set” that popped up Helderberg park roadways. But those on site weren’t talking. 

“It’s an independent film project,” Discover Albany Film Commissioner Deb Goedeke told The Enterprise. “They will be there for a few days. I really can’t divulge any more information than that just because of confidentiality with our clients.”

Pressed as to why, she said, “They don’t like the name out there or what they’re doing or spoiling the plot or anything like that.”

Goedeke also said, “They came and scouted and really loved the spot.” She said the crew would be filming in the Hudson Valley as well.

“We’re very excited that they’re here,” she said. “The Capital Region has been home over the last several months to television series and film projects so we’re keeping it rolling.”

On July 1, 2020, as the pandemic lockdown was being lifted, television and movie production was allowed in the Capital Region but not yet in New York City, giving the local area an edge.

“Productions are currently seeking lower-density areas that can provide more flexibility and safety, and we can definitely do that here in Albany,” said Goedeke at the time.

During the three-month shutdown, she said, Discover Albany and Film Albany worked with Empire State Development to draw up guidelines so Albany is ready to safely host production and film crews. “Every company will be sent these documents,” she said.

Movie and television companies can access the state’s film tax credits in Albany since the city has two qualified production facilities: the Albany Capital Center and the Times Union Center.

Goedeke last year reeled off a list of statistics since 2011 when the tax-credit program was adopted. Since then, over 2,200 applications had been accepted, $30.4 billion had been spent on film and TV production, and there had been over 1,700,000 new hires.

The revenue generated by filming a TV series is estimated at $125,00 per day, Goedeke said then, while a feature film generates about $250,000 per day, which “positively impacts our local hotels, car and truck rentals, catering, barricade rentals ….”

“We just make it so easy …,” Goedeke told The Enterprise this week, explaining why filming is burgeoning here. “There’s not layers of processes that you have to go through to get permission.”

She concluded, “It creates a great economic impact for our region because while they’re here they’re utilizing hotel rooms and local resources and services — they’re paying for that. It’s a nice little perk for folks to have, especially during COVID.”