New Jersey’s local film and television industry just got a little bigger. The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, part of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, on Wednesday announced that 14 municipalities and four counties have completed the Film Ready New Jersey Program and are now designated as Film Ready Communities.
Berkeley Heights, Cranford, Fair Lawn, Jersey City, Manville, Newark, Plainfield, Pompton Lakes, Rahway, Ridgefield Park, Ringwood, Roseland, West Orange, Westwood and Bergen, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties are among the newest cohort of Film Ready Communities.
“The Film Ready New Jersey Program is helping the state’s film industry grow by giving municipalities and counties the tools needed to welcome top-tier productions to their communities,” NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan said. “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.”
The multistep training and certification process prepares communities to accommodate movie and television producers and effectively market themselves as film destinations.
The five-step certification and marketing program educates municipalities on the basics of motion picture and television production and sets basic standards for attracting filmmaking.
The “Film Ready” designation provides an elevated platform for certified communities to promote themselves as filming destinations and connects film and television professionals with skilled and knowledgeable liaisons across the state.
The NJMPTVC will host the next Film Ready Workshop at the Morris Museum on April 23.
Workshop participants will receive training and guidance from industry professionals, local mayors and NJMPTVC commissioners and staff. Participants will also learn about the economic impact of hosting on-location filming, ordinances and permitting, opportunities for small businesses and the expanding infrastructure.
“The state of New Jersey offers many advantages to the film and television industry, including communities that are prepared on day one. Through the Film Ready New Jersey Program, we are encouraging our cities and towns to readily welcome filmmakers and enjoy the many benefits when production crews come to town,” NJMPTC Executive Director Steven Gorelick said. “Partnerships with our municipal and county governments are vital to the state’s film industry success.”
