Newark Is ‘Film Ready’ For Movie Producers, NJ Officials Declare

NEWARK, NJ — Need to shoot a movie, television show or other production? Newark should be one of the hotspots you check off on your list in New Jersey, state officials recently announced.

Last week, the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission included Newark on a list of 14 municipalities and four counties that it has deemed a “Film Ready Community.” Each of the awardees has completed the Film Ready New Jersey Program, a state-led training and certification process that prepares towns to work with movie and television producers – and market themselves as potential film destinations.

The list includes Berkeley Heights, Cranford, Fair Lawn, Jersey City, Manville, Newark, Plainfield, Pompton Lakes, Rahway, Ridgefield Park, Ringwood, Roseland, West Orange and Westwood, as well as Bergen, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties.

The film commission noted that Newark is known for transforming its locations into period pieces such as Philip Roth's "The Plot Against America" and the Sopranos prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark."

"Having already provided locations for countless motion picture and TV productions, including 'The Sopranos,' 'Joker,' 'A Beautiful Mind' and 'The Equalizer,' Newark has considered itself 'film-ready' for decades," Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said.

"Now, however, we are even more equipped to provide turnkey professional services to help productions wrap on time and under budget," the mayor added. "We are honored to be included in this select group, and are more confident than ever that any location, talent, or support needed for a successful shoot can be found right here in New Jersey's largest city."

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FILMING IN NEW JERSEY

Two years ago, New Jersey expanded its Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program. Since then, the state has attracted 166 feature films, television shows and digital media projects. This activity has generated $2.3 billion in spending, state officials say.

• See Related: NJ Tax Incentive For Film, TV Production Expanded
• See Related: Tax Breaks From NJ Helped Bring 'Joker' Movie To Essex County

Two major film studio projects have been announced in New Jersey in the recent past.

A partnership with Lionsgate will bring a gargantuan TV and movie studio to Newark in “late 2024,” officials previously said. The 12-acre, $125 million facility is expected to create 600 jobs and more than $800 million of “annual economic impact.”

• See Related: Lionsgate Will Get Extra Tax Breaks To Make Movies, Shows In Newark

Meanwhile, Netflix has announced they will pay $55 million to buy 292 acres at Fort Monmouth. Netflix plans to construct one of their biggest film studios in the world there, including 12 soundstages, rivaling their current 300-acre production facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

• See Related: Netflix's Massive NJ Studio Takes Big Step Forward, Report Says

Production companies like these will be among the moviemakers who can benefit from the new cohort of “Film Ready Communities,” state officials say.

“As more productions choose New Jersey as their backdrop, the training provided by the Film Ready Program will generate an economic boost for communities across the state by creating jobs, supporting small businesses and attracting tourism,” said Tim Sullivan, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

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