It’s undeniable that the film industry is booming in New Jersey. In fact, it was just announced that in-state film production spending hit $833 million last year, breaking the previous record of $701 million in 2022. On top of that, the more than 550 productions that filmed in the state last year hired 30,000 crew members, nearly doubling the number of crew hires from 2023.
Major productions, award-winning producers and directors, and industry-leading studios have their eyes on New Jersey. This isn’t by accident and it’s not a fluke. This is just the beginning of the film industry’s homecoming back to New Jersey.
With that, we present the five top reasons to film in New Jersey.
Until recently, this information seemingly had become some of the Garden State’s hidden secrets for directors, writers, producers, art directors and location scouts. Now, with New Jersey seeing a meteoric rise in filming within the state (quickly approaching New York City and Hollywood), these reasons are more relevant than ever before.
1. A concierge-style film commission
The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission has grown under the leadership of Gov. Phil Murphy and is committed to providing top-notch, white-glove service. We provide free script breakdowns to streamline the location scouting process. Our team will interface with various state agencies, including the Department of Labor and the Department of Transportation, ensuring that your project receives the necessary support. Additionally, we help break down the tax incentive benefits available, as well as assistance in pulling permits throughout the state.
2. Location, location, location
New Jersey boasts a diverse range of locations that can cater to any cinematic vision. Whether a project needs oceans and beaches, snowy mountains, charming small towns, bustling cities, or expansive farmland, we have it all. Our state has successfully doubled for various locations, including Washington, D.C., Times Square, the American South, and even Southeast Asia and Africa. By choosing New Jersey, you can save both time and money by minimizing long-distance company moves.
3. A large, experienced workforce
New Jersey is home to the largest experienced film and TV workforce outside of New York and Los Angeles. A large population of Local IATSE and Teamster members reside in New Jersey, and they relish the opportunity to work close to home. By employing local residents, productions can save significantly on overtime and travel costs.
4. An expanding infrastructure
Stages, grip and electric rentals, camera rentals, prop houses, lumber mills and post-production facilities are continuing to pop up across the state, ensuring productions have access to these necessary services anywhere, anytime. New Jersey is also strengthening its film and digital media workforce infrastructure. Through the Film Works Grant Program, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s is investing in workforce development training, internship, apprenticeship, and learning opportunities in the film and digital media industry, with a focus on providing career opportunities for residents of overburdened communities.
5. Top-tier tax incentives
Lastly, New Jersey offers exceptional film and TV tax incentives, covering everything from post-production and principal photography to reality, animation, and documentary projects. The film industry has boomed in New Jersey since Gov. Phil Murphy reinstated the tax incentive program in 2018, and with its recent revamp, more and more productions will be able to continue to take advantage of the benefit.
When you add everything up, I always ask, “New Jersey has all your production needs covered, so why would you film anywhere else?” Happily, more producers, directors, studios and networks are discovering the same thing: New Jersey, the birthplace of filmmaking, is the industry’s future.
Jon Crowley is the executive director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.
