Kaufman is the home of the popular children’s show “Sesame Street”, as well as newer shows such Many Queens residents are not aware that some of their favorite movies and popular television shows are produced here in the borough at two major studios: Silvercup Studios and Kaufman Astoria Studios.

Silvercup Studios—“New York’s largest film and television production facility,” according to www.silvercupstudios.com—was established in 1983 in what was once the Silvercup Bakery’s flour silo room. Its Main Lot, located on 42-22 22nd St. in Long Island City, is home to 13 shooting stages; its East Lot is located in Long Island City as well, at 34-02 Starr Ave., and houses five studios.

Silvercup produces more than 400 commercials per year, many of which are for major names such as Wendy’s, Victoria's Secret, and Verizon. It has produced NBC’s “30 Rock”, WB’s “Gossip Girl” and HBO’s “Sex and the City” and “The Sopranos.” It is currently producing the fourth season of ABC’s “Ugly Betty” and will soon be working on the second season of USA’s “White Collar”.

Major films that have been shot at Silvercup Studios included “Julie and Julia”, both “Sex and the City” movies, “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Godfather III”. among many more.

Kaufman Astoria Studios, 34-12 36th St., Astoria, was originally opened by Adolph Zukor in 1920. According to www.kaufmanastoria.com, it produced over 120 silent films during its first 20 years, and during World War II, became the Army Pictorial Center. It was reopened in 1977 and has been creating major motion pictures since 1980. It houses six stages, one of which is “the largest stage east of L.A.”.

Kaufman is the home of the popular children’s show “Sesame Street”, as well as newer shows such as HBO’s recent hit, “Nurse Jackie”. Movies filmed at Kaufman have included the Marx Brothers’ films of the 1920s during its earlier incarnation and “The Wiz” and “The Verdict” in recent years.

On Apr. 30, 2007, the premier of “Spider- Man 3” was held at Kaufman. The movie’s principal actors made an appearance alongside other celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean P. Diddy Combs. Kaufman also hosted the New York portion of the Hope for Haiti benefit on January 23 of this year.