June 8, 2016Mayor Bill de Blasio: Thank you so much, thank you. Thank you so much Carl.And I have to tell you, there is so much good happening here at this museum, and I want to thank you for your commitment to our residents of public housing. I’m very excited that folks from Queensbridge Houses are going to be able to enjoy everything in this museum. I want to thank you for all you have done for our public school students – I know that’s also been a real priority for this museum – and just for showing the people of the city every year the magic of this extraordinary industry and all the innovation and all the imagination that is on display in this place. So thank you for the great work that you do.We are celebrating something wonderful – the golden jubilee – of the City’s Office of, originally, Film, Television and Broadcasting. That was the original name, now the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. Over the years it’s had those different names but a very simple mission throughout – to make New York City and keep New York City the capital of the film and TV and media industries, to keep taking the fullest advantage of the greatness of the city, of the talent we have, the wonderful settings we have, everything that makes this the natural home for this extraordinary industry.And we have a group of celebrity ambassadors who are going to be helping us celebrate and you’ll hear from them in a moment, but that – I have to say at the outset – their involvement means so much to the people of New York City, and helps us to spread the word and helps us to succeed as a city in bringing this industry even more to the fore in all we do.I want to thank members of my administration who have done so much to build toward this day and to help to build this work in every neighborhood of the city. Our Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen and our Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Tom Finkelpearl, thank you for all you do.[Applause]Please give them a round of applause.[Applause]Now filming in New York City – this is, I learned my fun fact of the day – the first film shot in New York City was in the 1890’s, it was shot by Alexander Black and called “Miss Jerry.” It’s 2016 now – what an amazing history has happened in this city. That New York City all along was such a natural – and especially because of the talent here, the stories here, the emotion and the passion – we’ve always been a natural place, but for years, we were not realizing our potential. And so, in a very, very smart move back in 1966, then newly-elected Mayor John Lindsay realized we needed an office that would maximize our opportunities and advantages.And when this office was created, a one-stop shop to help the film and TV industries to grow in the city, it was literally the first of its kind in the entire world. That innovation happened right here, and it’s had a huge impact on this city – on our economy, on our cultural life, on employment – in so many ways. 50 years later, New York City’s film industry has never been stronger. And we’re very, very proud of that fact.The numbers are amazing. Fifty years ago when the office was started, 11 movies were shot in New York City that year – 11. Last year, there were 336 films shot in the city. And, on top of that, last year, 52 scripted shows. That’s extraordinary levels of activity. 50 years ago, the industry brought $20 million to the city’s economy – $20 million. Today it contributes $80.7 billion to our economy and employs 130,000 New Yorkers.And I want to make a special plug for this industry – 130,000 people – an overwhelming majority in really good paying jobs, middle class jobs, the kind that everyone in this country, everyone in this city is talking about. What happened to middle class jobs? Well, you know what, they exist in great numbers in this industry and that’s part of why we want to keep expanding this industry. People really can bring up a family on these kinds of jobs.Now, I want to say, I, in my own small way, have had the honor of participating in this industry. I had a cameo on The Good Wife.[Laughter]It was a high point of my mayoralty. It was a really – they had me do this really, really obnoxious TV – you know like Taxi-TV. They had me do a super obnoxious Taxi-TV promotional ad for New York City and my friend Alan Cumming in his character Eli Gold keeps trying to turn it off in the cab he’s in and it keeps popping back on. That was my contribution to the artistic life of our city.[Laughter]One critic called it “perplexing.”[Laughter]I want to turn to Robert de Niro and say you know what this feels like when – when the complexity of your role and the layers, the sort of the deep layers of emotion are missed by a critic. You’ve had that experience, right?So, well again, what’s amazing about this industry – first of all, it’s something that defines us, we’re so proud of it as New Yorkers, it – it connects perfectly to our artistry, our cultural values as a city, the creativity that’s so natural in this place. It creates the – it connects beautifully to who we are as the ultimate multicultural city. Because one thing you hear from a lot of folks, including in that small backwater place called Hollywood, is the stories – the richness of the stories – from all over the world that are here in New York are just unsurpassed. So, part of our identity, part of who we are, part of our economy, part of what makes a good life possible for so many New Yorkers and their families.We’re proud that this industry is so strong but there’s a lot more to do. And we have worked to reach a lot of the new opportunities that exist as well. So MOME, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, now focuses as well on advertising, on music, and on digital content – and the sky is the limit in all those areas.And we’re very proud, working with our friends at CUNY, the City helped to create the Barry R. Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema at Brooklyn College. This is an amazing step forward. It’s the first public graduate school in the nation on a working film lot. So we have poured out talent – this city has created so much talent – but this is going to allow for even more to emerge in this city. And a new generation’s coming up that’s very, very exciting.The Fierstein School fits with the theme of this 50th anniversary year, the theme is inclusion. The idea is, let’s help continue to make this a five-borough industry, and that is true more and more, you’ve seen expansion in all five boroughs of this industry. Let’s make it an industry that reaches every kind of New Yorker in every neighborhood. Let’s make it an industry that gives people opportunity, who haven’t had it before.Commissioner Menin has done an extraordinary job taking that theme and putting into action, you’re going to hear from her in a few moments. But I have to say, to all the wonderful people gathered around, so many other people who make this industry great – your energy, your passion, your capacity makes such a difference for this city. We have in this city the lights, we have the cameras, and now we’re ready for the action – more and more film and TV action in this city. More and more productions, more and more people being employed, that’s what we see in the future.Let me say quickly in Spanish –[Mayor speaks in Spanish]Robert, I have a – I have an Italian accent when I speak Spanish.[Mayor speaks in Italian]Robert De Niro: [Inaudible] I don’t even know what it is but I like that.Mayor: Okay! Thank you.Unknown: I’m not sure what that accent is but I appreciate it.Mayor: That was beautifully supportive.[Laughter]Unknown: No, I love the effort.Mayor: Okay, thank you.Unknown: De nada.Mayor: Tutto a posto. Tutto a posto.Now, some wonderful people you get to hear from. And all ambassadors, these folks, Lord knows each and everyone one of them is busy enough that they didn’t need to take time to help their city but they are – I want to give them all credit. They love their city, they’re doing something about it, they’re helping this industry grow – each one of these ambassadors is doing something remarkable for New York City.So first, the woman who helped to transform the New York City film industry and created something that is beloved in this city, the Tribeca Film Festival, and the co-founder of Tribeca Productions, Jane Rosenthal.[…]Mayor: Okay, let’s see if you have any questions about the film and TV work, and then we’ll go into off-topic. But if there’s anything about the ambassadors, or the 50th anniversary, or anything going on with film and TV – feel free to ask. Let’s see if anyone has anything going – go ahead.Question: Could you be more specific –Mayor: A little louder.Question: Can you be more specific about programs to increase diversity among the film and TV – are you talking about tax credits specifically aimed at productions involving [inaudible]?Commissioner Julie Menin, Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment: Sure, I’m happy to – so a couple things that we have been involved with more recently – we have given $2 million in scholarships to the Feirstein Graduate School – really again with a big focus on diversity. We also have our Made in New York PA program, where recently we graduated 700 graduates – 95 percent of whom are diverse, over 50 percent are women. And both of those programs are very focused on diversity. I mentioned in my comments – we will in the next two months be announcing some new initiatives on diversity to increase a pipeline of talent. We have a number of projects – I’m not going to go into the specifics because we have not announced them yet – but are very focused on increasing the number of women in the film business and also focused on people of color as well.Question: Is there anything specific to a tax credit that would be –Commissioner Menin: No. No.Mayor: Question? Yes?Question: I have a question. You know we wrote about a film studio in Brooklyn that was going to have to move possibly for the Gowanus clean up. You know, it’s about 200 jobs there. They say they’ve put in a lot of money there, so I’m wondering do you have any sense – are you trying to help them stay or any update on what’s going on?Mayor: I’ll start, and Julie can go into more detail. We certainly are going to try and help them. That’s a complicated situation because the federal government is involved in that Gowanus Canal clean up. But yes, it’s a company that employs a lot of people. We want to do everything we can to keep building this field, so we’ll certainly try and find a way to help them.Commissioner Menin: Absolutely. We’ve been working very closely with Eastern Effects and with all of our sister agencies – DEP in particular – to look at alternatives. We very much want to find them an alternative, and we’re very focused on that, and I think we’ll have a positive resolution soon.Mayor: And this is a few years away – is that right?Commissioner Menin: [inaudible]Mayor: So it’s up in the air. Okay.Question: Could you repeat the figure of the number of employed media and entertainment versus the number of people in finance?Commissioner Menin: Sure, I’m happy to. So, 385,000 jobs are in the media and entertainment sectors. That includes film, TV, theater, advertising, as well as digital content, and publishing in addition. And that compares to 334,000 that are in finance and insurance right now in New York City.Question: Thank you.Mayor: Okay, anything else on film and TV? Going once, going twice. Okay, let’s do other topics. Yes?Question: Mr. Mayor, what’s your reaction to the arrest of Norman Seabrook this morning? And I know that you guys have had a very contentious relationship for the last year over Rikers reform. When was the last time you talked to him? How has that relationship been over the past few years?Mayor: First, on the arrest, look – these are allegations, but I’ll say this – if proven true, it’s disgusting, and it’s very, very sad. It means he stole money from his own workers. That’s what it comes down to. If he defrauded his own pension fund, it means he took money that was meant for his workers’ retirements and put it in his own pocket. And obviously his members had entrusted him to take care of the pension fund. So you know, there will be a court process, but it’s very troubling. You’re right – it has been a very fraught relationship over the years. Sometimes we’ve been able to work together. Sometimes there was real disagreement. I haven’t spoken to him in several months. We have a lot we’ve been trying to change on Rikers Island. Sometimes he was willing to work with us, sometimes he wasn’t. But the reform on Rikers Island will continue aggressively – I want to make that very clear. We are adamant about changing the culture of Rikers Island. We’re adamant about changing how we train that workforce, screen that workforce, how we enforce against any infractions. And you’ve seen a number of folks who did the wrong thing – correction officers who have done the wrong thing have suffered real consequences for it, so that work will continue. At the same time – I just want to say it’s a tough day today if you’re one of the many, many correction officers who gets up in the morning, goes to work, and tries to help people turn their lives around, and tries to protect people and do the right thing – it’s a tough morning to see the head of your union arrested. So I just want to offer my thoughts to the people who work at Rikers and work in our Department of Corrections, and just say I believe we are going to continue to effectively change the work we do – improve it, reform it – and we’re going to get past this moment and move forward.Yes?Question: In light of the CCRB report that said more police officers were found to have committed chokeholds in 2015 – what evidence do you have that your strategy of using, retraining, and the NYPD guidelines to change to deter this is working rather than using something like a law to criminally ban it?Mayor: I believe the retraining is having a huge impact. The – I think the advent of body cameras is going to have a big impact as well. And we have very, very clear penalties for any officer who engages inappropriately in a chokehold, and that’s been true for many years, and we’re going to enforce that. Now that being said, I have consistently opposed a legal change because I think there are situations where that would be absolutely unfair to an officer – for example, fighting for their life in a one-on-one fight. I don’t want them – if they’re doing things right and appropriate, I don’t want them to then, in a sense, have to deal with an additional burden. But we are adamant that inappropriate chokeholds have no place in the NYPD, and we’re going to train our officers not to use them, and anyone who does use them inappropriately will suffer real consequences.Question: Mayor, back to Norman Seabrook – so what will happen? Is the City going to take any action in regards to his –Mayor: He’ll be suspended. He is also still a member of that workforce – he will be suspended.Question: And are you concerned with the involvement of the same characters at the center of this scandal with the Police Department? Are you concerned about how wide this goes, or how many City officials may be involved in, you know, what the U.S. Attorney’s Office is presenting as a big –Mayor: No, and I’ll tell you why. Although investigations continue, you know, I believe that the vast majority of the problems have been identified. And obviously, in the context of the Police Department, they are being acted on very aggressively. What he did involved his own union, his own pension fund, which is separate from the City government obviously. Again, if proven, it’s incredibly troubling that someone would steal from his own workers. But no, I think it’s a separate matter. I think the issue in the Police Department is real, but I believe the vast majorities of the problems have now been identified.Yes?Question: Mr. Mayor, the latest poll – you’re not looking so good. Re-election –Mayor: Thank you for your analysis.[Laughter]Question: Against Scott Stringer you would be in a dead heat. Can you comment on that?Mayor: I’ve commented on it before, but I’ll do it again. Polls come and go. They go up. They go down. They don’t always reflect what happens in elections, as we found out in Michigan this year, but we’ve found it out many other times before. I believe fundamentally that the goal is to do the work, do it well, reach everyday New Yorkers by changing their lives for the better, and that’s what people care about. That’s what they’ll judge on.Question: Mr. Mayor, there are some who are saying that this arrest of Norman Seabrook is the first domino to fall in Preet Bharara’s ongoing and various corruption probes, and it also involves one of your fundraisers Jona Rechnitz, who apparently was the person who actually –Mayor: Donor.Question: Donor, sorry – who actually paid the bribe to Norman Seabrook, believe it or not in a Ferragamo bag. But in any event –Mayor: How tasteful.[Laughter]Question: In any event, I’m wondering if you’re feeling more pressure yourself because this is the beginning of indictment.Mayor: No. I feel – I’ve said it to you guys before – I’ll say it again. I’m absolutely comfortable that we have done things properly. What Norman Seabrook did with his pension fund has nothing to do with how we run our government day to day. I’m convinced we’ve done everything appropriately. I’m very troubled by what’s happened in the Police Department, and I know Commissioner Bratton is as well. And I think – not only will a lot of people pay consequences for that, but you’ll see a lot of change that will inhibit that from happening in the future. But no, I don’t think it’s right to connect those dots in that fashion. When the truth comes out on all these pieces – I feel very, very comfortable that we’ll be in a good place.Question: Do you regret taking money from Jona Rechnitz?Mayor: Look, I wish I never met the guy. As everyone knows – I’ve said it before – I never knew him before the Fall of 2013 after I won the Democratic primary, where suddenly everybody wanted to be my friend. If we had any inkling this is the kind of human being he was, I never would’ve gone near him. So of course I wish that day had never happened, but we had no reason to know this is what he was up to.Question: Mr. Mayor, what do you think of this organization called NYC Deserves Better? They’re actively seeking somebody to run against you. And what do you think of the – where is the origin of all of this? Where is the money coming from to run this organization? Do you have any ideas?Mayor: Well, you know, as a great movie once told us – follow the money, and I urge you all to do so. I mean, look – I don’t know who’s motivating it. I think it is an interesting state of affairs when someone puts something like that together because they say they don’t like the state of the city. Well, I would say with crime going down, employment going up, more harmony in this city, and certainly less of the division we used to know – for example, when there was a broken policy of stop-and-frisk – real improvement in our schools – highest graduation rate ever. I don’t know what’s to not like about all that. So they can do whatever they want. I feel very comfortable in the end the public are going to like what we’ve done here.Go ahead, just a quick follow up.Question: I just wanted to say that the founder of the organization has a clear association with your predecessor. Do you suppose there could be any connection there?Mayor: I don’t assume that. I really don’t. That doesn’t mean other people aren’t motivating him, and I think that’s worth looking at. But no, I do not assume it has a direct relationship to my predecessor.Go ahead, David.Question: That was a lit bit of the question I was going to ask, but are you concerned at all that Bradley Tusk, who was a top advisor to your predecessor, who ran the campaign for Uber that gave you a lot of trouble, that he’s not throwing his hat into the ring and trying to give you trouble in your reelection?Mayor: No, I don’t think his involvement with Uber had anything do with his previous employment with Mayor Bloomberg or his previous employment with Governor Blagojevich. So I think each of those things is separate. And you know, he can do what he wants, but I’m not worried about it.Yes?Question: Mayor, last night, you were at Hillary Clinton’s event –Mayor: Yes.Question: – in Brooklyn. I wondered what you thought of that moment, and were you thinking at all about your own daughter?Mayor: Yes.Question: I know you’re on your way to –Mayor: Her graduation.Question: Did you connect those dots as you were watching the speech?Mayor: Yes, and, you know, I have to start by saying I connected the dots to the woman who was sitting next to me – Chirlane is tremendously proud of having gone to Wellesley, where Hillary went. And as I think you know, Chirlane is a feminist and keenly aware of the history of this country. And for her, she was overwhelmed last night. And a beautiful moment at the beginning – where a woman came on stage and sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” And it was no instruments, no background music, just acapella, and the whole crowd joined in. And it was really a great feeling of the promise of America being realized. So for Chirlane, it was a very emotional moment. For me, as someone who believes in social change, it was an outstanding moment to see this – something we’ve been waiting for – for literally a century, since the 19th Amendment was passed.And yes, of course, I thought about Chiara as well and thought about what it says to young women all over the country. I think Chiara was already pretty self-assured about women’s leadership, and she’s involved with an organization on her campus called Feminists for Justice. So I think she already was inspired.But, unquestionably – I think for young women and girls all over this country, that we finally crossed this barrier, reached this milestone – it’s going to have a hugely inspirational effect. But a more inspirational day will be January 20th when Hillary Clinton is sworn in as our next president.Question: Were you able to speak to Hillary Clinton last night?Mayor: Yes.Question: You did. Can you tell us a little a bit about what that exchange was like?Mayor: Yes. It was very – it was wonderful. We always – when Chirlane and I are together with Hillary, we make the requisite Wellesley jokes about strong and forceful Wellesley women and all they’ve achieved in our society. But no – it was very moving to have seen someone travel the whole path, from when she first – obviously I was with her the day she declared her race for U.S. Senate – the end of 1999 until this moment. It’s an amazing human experience to see someone go through all the ups and downs and get to her goal – and a goal that she’s one of the most worthy people of in the history of this country. I really believe that.So it was very, very moving, and just sharing that moment with her. And obviously – she referenced it in the speech – and I said to her I think a lot of people were feeling that she referenced her mom who was her number one influence. And I said – your mom’s here in the room too and is watching. And I think she – I think the only sorrow in this is that her mom didn’t live long enough to see it.Question: Mr. Mayor, Senator Sanders has talked about taking this all the way to the convention. What do you think needs to be done to bring those supporters into the fold? What’s the message to them?Mayor: With the qualification that I always respect every candidate’s right to make their own choice, so I’m never going to tell a candidate what to do – he has to make the choice that’s right for him. But here’s the advice I give to Bernie Sanders – he’s run a fantastic race – arguably, one of the most impressive presidential races in modern memory. He’s had a huge impact on the debate in this country. This country will not be the same. It will be better because Bernie Sanders ran. But now it’s time for unity.He has said it. This is the thing I want to be very clear – and I think this is what will prevail – he said many times – even with his disagreements with Hillary, she would be a tremendously better president than Donald Trump. I have no doubt in the final analysis, he will support her with energy.But the other thing I’d say to him is – you’ve started something outstanding – keep building that movement because it could be a force for great good in this country, and keep energizing the many people. And people say, you know, especially, young people – that’s true but I’ve met plenty of Bernie Sanders supporters who are senior citizens and everything in between. The people want change, and they are – they are a crucial part of where this country needs to go. So, my message to him would be – organize that movement for the long term because that would be good for this whole country.Unknown: [Inaudible] questions.Mayor: Please.Question: Some of those supporters have, you know, certainly taken to social media expressing just a real frustration, you know, given talk of not participating. What needs to be done to sort of direct, you know, the message to those people and not just to [inaudible]?Mayor: I think there are real opportunities to address their concerns – the platform is one of them, the rules of the party is another. Those are two areas where real work could be done. Hillary’s platform is outstanding, it’s progressive. I’ve said it many times. It – when elected, it will be the most progressive candidate of anyone going into the White House in, arguable, 50 years – the most progressive platform for change, unquestionably. The party platform needs to reflect that, and there may be some areas to add. The rules issue is a very fair one. You know, I think it’s a – we’re in a different time now and people want to see maximum representation. Those are very fair concerns that could be addressed at the convention. So, I would say put energy into that, and put energy into all of the down-ballot races which will determine the future of the country.Let’s be clear, if Hillary Clinton becomes president with a Republican Senate and a Republican House, that’s not going to lead to much change. There’s an opportunity to elect a Democratic Senate and to improve, at least the numbers in the House, and to elect some real progressive voices. That movement could be crucial in that and push – push us all to do better. That’s what I think he could do, and his movement could do. And that’d be a great reason to be engaged – push for the changes they want, but don’t go off the playing field. And the Bernie Sanders campaign is an object lesson. The campaign made this country better, it made this party better, it made Hillary a better candidate, it elevated the debate, it put ideas on the table that needed to be there – they need to keep doing in a different way now, in support of Hillary Clinton.Yes.Question: Yesterday, the Governor submitted the appointees to – for the MTA Board – to the State Senate, including three of you own. But there’s only a few days left in the legislative session. Why is it taking so long, and are you optimistic and confident that your nominees will be –Mayor: Look, I’m glad he did it, and there is time. You know, Albany is a mysterious place. Everyone has watched it – a huge amount of activity happens in the last few days and hours. So, the important thing was the Governor sent forward all three of our names. They’re great people who belong on the MTA Board and could do a lot of good there. So, I appreciate that he did that. Now, we have to get the Senate and the Assembly to act. But, yes, I’m hopeful. I wouldn’t say I can predict the future because it’s Albany but I am hopeful.Got time for one more – yes?Question: There’s an initiative or a petition from a Brooklyn resident to change the name of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to add two z’s instead of the one z that is there –[Laughter]I’m wondering if you have a reaction to that.Mayor: These are the issues on the minds of all New Yorkers. I need to look into that as a proud Italian. I need to go back and do my research. So, I will – I will get some – a task force going on that right away and get back to you.Thank you everyone.Question: Mayor, it’s Karen Hinton’s last week [inaudible] any thoughts on that?Mayor: Oh, yes. Thank you. That was a very kind and thoughtful thing.Karen Hinton, bless your heart. That is – this is our internal joke.[Laughter]Karen has done a fantastic job. And I want to thank you, and I think as so many of you, I think feel, she’s really given her all to trying to make sure that you guys got the information that you needed. But she also heard our perspective. And I can say I’ve heard it on the grapevine many times how respected she is by the press corps. And certainly she’s done a lot to help this entire team to better explain to the people of New York City the things we’re trying to get done, and to hear the concerns of the people of New York City, and act on them. So, Karen, job well done, and you will be missed. Thank you.[Applause]Wait, wait, Karen has her formal remarks [inaudible]. Go ahead.Karen Hinton: It was an honor working for you this past year. I loved every minute of it. You have been a terrific mayor, and you’re going to continue to be a terrific mayor.Mayor: Thank you very much.Thank you everyone.[Applause]