Lifestyle, Movies
Published on Nov 19, 2025 at 4:28 AM (UTC+4)
by Grace Donohoe
Last updated on Nov 18, 2025 at 8:59 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Emma Matthews
When it comes to filming in New York, processes need to be followed to ensure that the magic is caught on camera safely, as well as abiding by city traffic.
That’s where Jean Pierre ‘JP’ Kathoefer and his team over at johnnypuetz Productions come in, with the film crew using special and safe methods to make sure that their content is as realistic as possible.
From shooting in a helicopter over NYC and even shooting with the Lumineers, this crew has done it all.
Now, they’ve exclusively revealed what really goes into filming your favorite shows and movies all over the globe, and how the essence of each city is caught in real time.
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Often in TV shows such as Sex and the City or Friends, New York is almost always shown as bustling and full of city traffic.
So, as you can imagine, capturing the essence of the culture, while abiding by the road rules and keeping safe, can sometimes look difficult.
“It depends on the scale of the shoot, but there is always a plan,” explained johnnypuertz Productions founder JP.
He explained that to facilitate street and driving shoots, the team scouts routes in advance, keeps notes of the intersections that could cause trouble, ongoing construction, and also safe pull-off points. 
They also create a list around the time of day they are shooting at, as well as traffic patterns, making use of early mornings or weekend days for ‘cleaner streets’.
To help minimize disruption, the video production agency also tries to keep its footprint as small as possible unless it calls for the closure of lanes.
“That is often the difference between something we can do with a lean crew and something that requires permits and police support.
“On larger street jobs, with driving rigs or stunts, we coordinate with the city, NYPD, so we can safely ‘hold’ sections of street for short periods or follow mapped out routes with police escort,” he further stated.
The company works with the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, owners of properties, and even law enforcement to gain permits and access.
“We have done everything from simple sidewalk permits to shutting down an active helipad and filming in a real New York City courtroom, so we are very comfortable navigating that process,” explained JP.
Routes that need to be taken for parking and ‘gear access’, alongside the talent and camera cars, are noted down, as well as sirens and horns, even being included if fits suits the story.
“Traffic in New York is definitely something that must always be accounted for; we always pad schedules for load-in, moves, and wrap,” said the photographer.
After working in many different cities, including Paris and London, JP explained that New York is ‘generally very friendly toward production’ and in the European cities, there are often more rules and restrictions around privacy.
“In New York, as long as you respect the rules, keep people safe, and work with the proper offices when needed, the city usually works with you.
“That makes a big difference for brands flying in to shoot here,” JP continued.
New Yorkers themselves also play a huge role in accepting the filming in the first place. The team also explained how people understand that it is simply part of the ecosystem and even acts as a way to market the city.
“The flip side is that the city’s energy is what clients want.
“The movement, the density, the lights. You cannot fake that easily on a quiet backlot,” JP said.
So there you have it.
Next time you find yourself watching a show that’s set in the city that never sleeps, you can explain exactly how the city traffic was captured to impress the people around you.
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# Tags – City filming, Lifestyle, Movies, NYC
Grace started her career writing about the weird and wonderful for the international press. She's covered everything from lifestyle to sports and hard news and now finds herself pursuing her main interest – cars. She's loved cars from a young age and has a keen interest in luxury travel too.
Supercar Blondie finds and covers the coolest cars, tech, luxury and gaming in the world.
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