It’s the type of plot you might find in a movie. Steve Gorelick, the executive director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, was on hand earlier this spring when the state launched Film Ready New Jersey.
Gorelick, of course, seemingly has been film-ready his entire life.
The executive director for more than three decades, Gorelick has seen New Jersey rise to become one of the most coveted location spots in the country. And, with the added incentives the state now has available, that will only grow.
Gorelick, who has seen it all, now will see it from the movie seats. He announced earlier this month that he is retiring from an organization he has worked in since 1991.
Tim Sullivan, the CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, said Gorelick will be sorely missed.
“He’s done an extraordinary job in the state over the last several decades,” Sulllivan said. “It’s great for him, but it’s a huge loss for us.”
That being said …
“The future of film in New Jersey is incredibly bright,” Sullivan said.
Gorelick said he intends to step away next spring. The EDA is taking applications now for his replacement.
The ideal candidate would have a background in the movie industry, economic development and being in a position of leadership.
Sullivan said he knows the EDA may not find someone who checks all the boxes. But, of them, movie industry experience is the most important.
“It’s not impossible, but I think it would be hard to do this job without having some background of working with movie studios,” he said.
Whoever lands the job will have plenty of fun, Sullivan said.
“I think it’s a great job — and it’s only getting better with all of the tools we now have at our disposal,” he said.
