Movie, TV Crews Will Now Find It Easier To Film In East Brunswick

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Over the past few years, East Brunswick has been receiving requests from movie and TV crews to film across town. Filming often involves a large crew, lots of equipment and huge trailers. To make things smooth for the township and film crews, East Brunswick recently amended an ordinance to include an agreement between the Township and filming crew.

The agreement creates standards, conditions and limitations required while filming in the Township.

“We really didn't have a program set up for getting people to submit names, insurance policies, the things that our police department would need to know if they're going to be providing services,” Township Attorney Michael Baker explained.

“This is just the chance to get it organized for the clerk, our public safety, to know who's in town and who's doing filming.”

The ordinance, which was introduced on Nov. 14, is in keeping with the Murphy administration’s recent push to encourage studios to film in the state by offering tax incentives.

The new ordinance will require a film company to sign an agreement with the Township setting forth terms, conditions and limitations to filming. This would ensure the needs of the film studios are balanced with that of the Township, keeping in mind the convenience of residents and local businesses.

Mayor Brad Cohen said that the effort to bring the film industry to the Township will ensure local businesses, like hotels and restaurants, benefit from the large crews.

“We're close to old major centers, transportation. So, there's a huge effort to bring the film industry here” Cohen said during Monday's meeting.

“They're going to support the services that we already have here in the township. So, this is an attempt to try to mirror what the NJ Film Commission has suggested that there be an ordinance that you could put in place, that have the type of things that the film industry is looking for when they want to find a town receptive to their business.”

The Township will not insist on the use of the agreement, instead will work with the studio to come up with an agreement that is mutually beneficial to both.

Council voted unanimously to pass the ordinance. To find more details on the ordinance, click here.

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