Basking Ridge Lands 1st Major Motion Picture Film Production

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Lights, camera action! Bernards Township has secured its first major motion picture film production, announced Mayor Jennifer Asay.

"I am extremely excited to share that all of our hard work and completing the steps to become New Jersey Film Ready and hosting many, many film scouts has finally paid off," said Asay on Tuesday during the Committee meeting.

Asay said once the Township is able to they will share the details on "how the film will financially benefit Bernards Township directly and its businesses."

She thanked the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, Associate Director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission Dave Schoner, and Bernards Township Film Liasion Christine Kieffer "for making this possible."

The Bernards Township Committee began the process of becoming "Film Ready" in May. They passed an ordinance as part of the comprehensive process to become a member of New Jersey’s Film Ready Communities program, a certification from the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.

Other steps included demonstrating the Township has film locations, expertise, and resources to support video shoots.

Schoner spoke in May about how filmmaking in 2022 generated $700 million in the Garden State and 8,500 jobs.

Showing the positive impact of becoming "film ready," Schoner gave an example where one 12-episode television series shot in New Jersey generated $325,000 worth of business for a local dry cleaner.

"New Jersey filmmaking is booming and it really is exploding in a very positive way. We've been very fortunate to have so much filming in the state because of our film and TV tax incentives," said Schoner in May.

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