Film Ready NJ Workshop Highlights Economic Impact of Film and Television Production Across the State

The New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission (NJMPTVC), in partnership with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), hosted a Film Ready NJ Workshop at the recent New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference at the Atlantic City Convention Center. The workshop convened municipal and county officials from across the state to provide guidance on becoming Film Ready NJ–certified communities and supporting on-location film and television productions.

The workshop offered participants a comprehensive overview of the Film Ready program and the economic opportunities associated with film and television production in New Jersey. Sessions focused on the state’s growing production industry, the benefits of hosting productions at the local level, and the tools communities need to position themselves as filming destinations.

The program opened with remarks from Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp and Senator Raj Mukherji (District 32). Elizabeth Parchment, Team Lead for Special Projects at NJMPTVC, provided an overview of the Film Ready NJ designation and certification requirements. NJMPTVC Executive Director Jon Crowley highlighted New Jersey’s continued growth as a premier location for film and television production, emphasizing the industry’s economic impact and the state’s competitive advantages. Additional presentations addressed how municipalities can effectively showcase their communities, establish filming-friendly ordinances, and implement best practices for hosting productions.

A panel discussion on production fundamentals, moderated by David Schoner, Senior Advisor at NJMPTVC, featured insights from industry and municipal leaders, including NJMPTVC Executive Director Jon Crowley, Commissioner Carol Cuddy, Location Manager Matthew Fleischman, and Clinton Mayor and NJMPTVC Commissioner Janice Kovach.

The workshop also included a Film Ready Police + Fire training session focused on public safety coordination and motion picture and entertainment safety. The session featured Hanover Township Police Chief Michael Loock and James Kirsch, retired captain and partner at Dominion Emergency Service Consultants, and was designed to help police and fire leadership better prepare for on-location productions.

The event concluded with an overview of next steps for communities seeking Film Ready NJ certification, reinforcing the state’s commitment to supporting municipalities as they pursue film and television production opportunities that drive local economic growth.

For more information about the NJMPTVC’s Film Ready NJ program, visit here.