TikTok and Instagram Creators Have Turned NYC Into an Unofficial Soundstage

It’s there, in the background of so many of the videos in your social feeds: the corner of a West Village brownstone peeking out behind an influencer chatting up an unsuspecting tourist.The blur of a passing subway car, the harsh fluorescent glow of a bodega deli counter, the iconic arch of Washington Square Park.TikTok and Instagram creators have effectively turned New York City into an unofficial soundstage for their short-form videos.In previous eras, “Sex and the City” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” drew on the romanticized ideal of New York to help bring their stories to life.

Now, 20- and 30-somethings with tiny microphones and iPhones are trying to evoke something similar, filming amid throngs of workers, tourists, students and commuters to bring some of the city’s energy into a new generation of shows whose episodes range from 30 seconds to two minutes.“New York City has become this open-air market for creators to go outside and film,” said Julian Shapiro-Barnum, 27, who hosts several shows in New York, including “Recess Therapy,” which features funny exchanges with children in city parks.“The whole city is this playground where we can test ideas and interact with the public.”The promise of social media was that fame could happen from anywhere, but the magnetic pull of New York has proved strong.

Part of it is practical: Creators say that it’s much easier to shoot videos in New York than in cities like Los Angeles, which is stricter with filming permits, and that its density helps fuel spontaneous man-on-the-street interviews.The city is a “cultural character” that has long fascinated audiences, said Alice Ma, the founder of Mad Realities, which is behind shows like “Keep the Meter Running,” a digital hit depicting interviews with cabdrivers.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.If you are in Reader mode ple...