The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, part of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, said Aug. 11 that it was nominated for Outstanding Film Commission for its work with the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” by the Locations Managers Guild International (LMGI). The LMGI Award Ceremony will take place on Aug. 23, in Santa Monica, Calif.
“From big city lookalike locations that play like Manhattan or Washington, D.C., to quaint coastal towns, films such as ‘A Complete Unknown’ showcase New Jersey’s remarkable versatility in doubling for a wide range of locations,” said Jon Crowley, executive director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.
“This prestigious nomination solidifies that New Jersey values not only the important role of location scouts, but our variety of different looks has caught the attention of filmmakers and positions us to continue attracting top-tier productions for years to come.”
The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission is one of six nominees for the top award. The commission has been nominated in the past but has not won the award.
“A Complete Unknown,” starring Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, was filmed almost entirely in New Jersey and is also nominated for Outstanding Locations in a Period Feature Film. The film was also nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director. Last year, “Oppenheimer,” which was filmed partially in Princeton, took home the LMGI Award for Best Motion Picture.
“A Complete Unknown” was filmed in 17 municipalities across New Jersey, with notable scenes filmed in Hoboken, Jersey City, Paterson, and Cape May. In the film, New Jersey doubles as New York City, Pittsburgh, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., and Northern California.
Buildings such as the Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth doubled as Carnegie Hall and the Newark Symphony Hall was used as a San Francisco concert venue. Other notable filming locations include Paterson City Hall, White Mana Diner in Jersey City, William J. Brennan Courthouse in Jersey City, Columbus Park in Hoboken, Rutt’s Hut in Clifton, and the former Essex County Isolation Hospital in Belleville. All of the stage work for the film was done at Palisade Stages in Kearny.
