Meet NYCHA’s Audiovisual Unit 

If you have ever attended an official NYCHA event, either at a central office or at a development, or used NYCHA’s conference room audio-visual equipment to conduct a meeting, then you have experienced firsthand the handiwork of NYCHA’s Audiovisual (A/V) Unit.  

The unit, part of the Department of Communications, is made up of two audio-visual veterans, Andy Nagy and Luis Gomez, who perform a host of tasks, including managing and maintaining audiovisual equipment in all 38 conference rooms and the 90 Church Street Ceremonial Room.  

Mr. Nagy joined NYCHA in 2003 after working as an A/V coordinator for a healthcare facility in New Jersey for 15 years. Mr. Gomez, who has been working in the A/V field since 1996, joined NYCHA in late 2022 after over a decade of working as an A/V engineer in the private sector.   

Both colleagues collaborate on requests from within NYCHA for audiovisual support.  

“Luis is the person who handles all requests for equipment,” said Mr. Nagy. “He processes the Movaris forms people submit when they have a meeting where they need [our] help. He’s usually responsible for setting up the equipment and taking care of that.” 

Mr. Gomez also troubleshoots challenges staff encounter with audiovisual equipment or setup, something he is always prepared to assist with.  

“The A/V Unit staff are skilled individuals who provide essential audiovisual services at internal and external employee or resident events and meetings,” said Millie Molina, Senior Manager for Events and Communication Services. “A/V assists in operating and setting up audio and projection in the Ceremonial Room or at developments for resident meetings, along with recording and livestreaming of monthly Board meetings. In addition, the A/V Unit is the primary contact for production companies interested in using NYCHA properties for TV/film, video, or photographic productions.” 

Mr. Nagy coordinates the requests from TV and film production companies looking to film on NYCHA’s properties. 

He said on average, there are about 60 inquiries a year from film and television production companies seeking to film on Authority property. About half of those inquiries film on a location they scouted.  

“They’ll scout as a first step, and if they really want to move ahead, they’ll send me a letter of intent, which specifically outlines what they want to do that day, areas they want to film, the date, the location, the scene, and what it is going to involve,” Mr. Nagy explained. (Click here to learn more about the internal approval process.) 

Once the request is approved, the production company is required to send proof of insurance coverage. If they meet the insurance requirements, they are then issued a location agreement permitting them to film at a development. After the production is completed, they are then invoiced for a location fee.  

“I enjoy just helping put together the production from a technical point of view, making sure they have all the equipment they need and understanding what will be happening out there,” said Mr. Nagy about his coordinating duties. “It’s challenging because while we want to welcome the production company, we also want to see how their job could interfere with resident activity. It’s rewarding to see the money come in through location fees. It helps the Authority.” 

The CBS crime drama East New York, for instance, films at a NYCHA development (Queensbridge North Houses). Blue Bloods, Law and Order, Law and Order – SVU, New Amsterdam, and The Americans are some of the other shows that have filmed on NYCHA properties. NYCHA developments have also been featured in streaming productions, such as the Showtime series City On a Hill, which filmed extensively at Edenwald Houses. 

“Documentaries also come along, student film requests, sometimes reality series, and occasionally we do get a big feature [film] that wants to use a site,” Mr. Nagy added. Most notable were American Gangster at Marlboro Houses and Brooklyn’s Finest at Van Dyke Houses. 

The A/V unit also manages a video archive containing footage, dating to 1984, of special events at NYCHA as well as training programs and lectures given by leaders of other City agencies at NYCHA. The archive also includes television news coverage of NYCHA events over the years.  

“I am proud of the hard work the A/V team does on a day-to-day basis,” Ms. Molina added.