Showtime TV Series 'The Affair' Films in Dobbs Ferry

The popular Showtime TV series “The Affair” is filming in downtown Dobbs Ferry this week, according to Mayor Hartley Connett.

The show filmed scenes inside a local business on Cedar Street, and along Elm Street, Wednesday, and will film near Harper’s Restaurant on Main Street on Thursday.

On Friday, the show is scheduled to film more scenes on Main Street and at the Upholstery Shop, and also on Chestnut Street in front of The Cookery, Connett says.

Scenes will be filmed throughout the day and evening, and on Friday the show is expected to film a winter scene with snow effects.

Parking will tight during filming due to production trucks in the area, but Connett encourages residents to walk downtown to watch the filming, and support local businesses.

“As mentioned, some parking spaces have been committed to accommodate film equipment,” Connett wrote in an email to residents Wednesday. ”Police officers are on scene to make sure everyone is safe, and to address any issues which might arise.”

Connett says Dobbs Ferry has been used as a film and television backdrop in the past, and he explained the process in his note:

A few points of interest to note on filming in the village in general:

• From time-to-time the village receives formal requests from professional entertainment and advertising companies to film in the village. Recently, several episodes of the popular TV series “The Leftovers’ were filmed downtown; a few years ago Jesse Eisenberg (Social Network) and a crew shot scenes for an as yet released film. Several homes in the lower Clinton Avenue area have always been popular filming sites/backdrops for various shows and advertising campaigns.
• A formal permit application is required and approved after review by the Village Administrator, the Police Department, and the Village Clerk. A daily fee is required.
• In addition to the fee, the village will also be compensated for the use of any parking spaces which might be utilized and/or for use of village property. In addition, the production company agrees to pay 100% of the time for any public safety officers which might be required (this includes any overtime), as well a premium for any DPW tasks which might need to be performed (road barriers, clean-up, etc.).
• At the discretion of the production company, business and property owners might also be offered compensation for use of property, or for inconvenience. This is a private negotiation which does not involve the village.
• Of course, the Village Administrator and review process take into strong consideration the nature/subject of the film/product so as to avoid anything that is inappropriate, or might project the village in a negative way. It is subjective of course, which mostly comes down to common sense and good judgment.

In general, the village is receptive to having film crews in town from time-to-time. It can be good ‘PR’ for the village, and it brings people into the downtown; the crew and actors have to shop and eat somewhere - good for Dobbs Ferry Merchants - ... and it can be fun for residents to see first-hand how a film is made – on the streets of Dobbs Ferry no less!