It’s not every day that a casual walk along the Rye waterfront includes camels.
Yet during filming last fall, that’s exactly what unfolded at Playland Park in Westchester County. Four camels and two donkeys crossed the sand as extras in 1950s fashion gathered nearby with vintage bicycles and baby carriages.
It was another example of what Westchester’s filming locations consistently provide: versatile, period-ready settings, and production support in the NYC film zone.
The spectacle was part of “Marty Supreme,” the A24 feature directed by Josh Safdie and starring Timothée Chalamet, alongside Fran Drescher, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin O'Leary. The film takes place in 1952 and is inspired by ping pong legend Marty Reisman. It’s already earned major awards recognition including nominations for acting, directing, and multiple craft categories.
Photo by Joy Malone
Where Was “Marty Supreme” Filmed in Westchester County?
According to location scout Tatiana Forster, “Marty Supreme” filmed at two major Westchester County film locations:
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Playland Park in Rye, NY
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Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY
At Playland, the production recreated 1950s Cairo for a scene set at the Pyramids of Giza. At the Westchester County Center, the 1930s-era arena doubled as a mid-sized venue in Paris. Together, these sites demonstrate how Westchester’s filming locations can convincingly portray international settings.
How Playland Became 1950s Cairo in “Marty Supreme”
Authenticity was critical, notes Forster. “We had to ensure every exterior frame preserved the illusion of the era. That meant carefully avoiding modern architecture, signage, and skyline intrusions—any glimpses of modern-day life.”
At Playland, the waterfront setting on the Long Island Sound provided the open space and unobstructed sightlines needed to stage the scene in Egypt. The sequence featuring Chalamet posing with a camel and donkey was filmed on the Rye Playland beach, with a pyramid later added in post-production through visual effects.
The production was able to bring live camels and donkeys onto the sand and coordinate actors, background performers, and crew all within one location. The result was a seamless blend of practical staging and flexibility on location.
Photo by Erin McAward
The Advantages of Filming in Westchester
Filming in Westchester involved approximately 120 cast and crew members on site, along with production vehicles, equipment, background actors, and animals and their handlers.
Supporting a production of that size requires:
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Coordinated permitting
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Experienced on-site management
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Flexible access
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Efficient logistics
Westchester’s established film infrastructure helped ensure a smooth production process, noted Forster. In addition to the waterfront and arena settings, she emphasized the County’s broader range.
“Westchester is extremely film-friendly,” she said. “It’s so close to New York City and offers such a wide range of looks. Filming here provided logistical advantages and allowed us to expand our search for other, more rural areas.”
Photo by Erin McAward
Why Film Productions Choose Westchester County
“Marty Supreme” underscores why Westchester film production continues to grow:
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Proximity to NYC: Access to talent and crew within the NYC film zone.
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Architectural variety: Waterfront boardwalks, Art Deco landmarks, urban and rural areas, river towns, and suburban streets — all within a compact geography.
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Period-friendly settings: Authentic historic locations that can stand in for most any period in time.
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Collaborative local support: Strong coordination between production teams, Westchester County Tourism & Film, and locations.
“All of the staff…[at Westchester County Tourism & Film] were great in helping coordinate all of the necessary filming,” explains Forster. For filmmakers looking to expand their search beyond New York City while maintaining convenience and production value, Westchester offers both scale and flexibility—qualities that continue to draw major productions to the region.