Michael Uslan is the chair of the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission and the executive producer of the modern Batman film franchise.
He’s also very pro-New Jersey film.
So, when Uslan heard that some people were saying New Jersey was “Hollywood East,” he was more than just a little upset.
“That’s BS,” he said. “Nobody from Jersey is going to accept that.
“California is New Jersey West.”
With that, the crowd gathered for the recent panel discussion at the 2026 N.J. Film Expo roared.
It was one of many great lines delivered by an all-star panel. (Who says you need a script?)
Uslan was joined on stage by Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell and fellow Commission members David Smith, Janice Kovach, Tom Bernard and Carol Cuddy in a discussion moderated by Jon Crowley, the executive director of the Film Commission.
Since everyone loves a good movie quote, we figured we’d pull out a dozen or so of the best comments during the nearly hour-long presentation.
On: New Jersey’s film legacy and comeback
From: Jon Crowley
“Productions aren’t here because it’s a nice option. They’re coming here because it’s a strategic decision driven by world-class talent, a growing infrastructure, diverse locations, a strong tax credit and a collaborative ecosystem that is sitting right here in this room.”
On why New Jersey’s incentive works
From: David Smith
“It has a net economic benefit to the state. For taxpayers, it’s not giving money away. You have to spend the money. You have to create the jobs, you have to stimulate the economy. And then after you get a CPA to certify you spent the money, then you get the tax credit.”
On New Jersey’s tax credit reliability
From: Tom Bernard
“One of the biggest things I hear about the incentive is they give you your money back on a timely basis. I know people are still waiting for the money in New York.”
On the wider economic ripple effect
From: Carol Cuddy
“That per diem goes back into the community (at hotels and restaurants). That’s where those additional funds start spreading through the state.”
On the role of small businesses
From: Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach
“New Jersey is made up of small businesses. To see those businesses benefit from the productions coming in is really important to me and to other mayors, because we want to see our communities thrive.”
On the backbone of the industry
From: Michael Uslan
“The backbone of New Jersey’s film community are independent filmmakers. We acknowledge you, we love you, and we show you love from the film commission. Anything that you’re doing is just as important to us as anything any of the major studios are doing.”
On the full-circle story from Edison to Hollywood and back
From: Jon Crowley
“Thomas Edison invented the camera on the projector. And then he started charging a tax. And film makers decided to run. And they ran, and they ran, and they ran until they hit the Pacific Ocean, and that’s what begat Hollywood. So, there’s a full-circle moment here where taxes drove them away, but tax incentives are bringing them back.”
On how easy New Jersey has made it to film here
From: Lt. Gov. Dr. Dale Caldwell
“One of the things that I don’t know that we’re being as clear about, it’s easier to do business and film in New Jersey than anywhere else in the United States of America. We’ve cleared out the bureaucracy.”
On the benefit to towns of being ‘Film Ready’
From: Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach
“It’s a–what-to-expect-when-you’re-expecting (situation). Not all of us deal with film production every single day. So, to have an understanding of what to expect when the circus comes to town is a great opportunity.”
On why being Film Ready matters to filmmakers
From: Carol Cuddy
“It all works more smoothly for film production to have that knowledge amongst the towns and to be able to rely on it as a filmmaker.”
On locations available in Jersey
From: Tom Bernard
“I think we’ve got every location from the beginning of time here.”
On what interested workers should do first
From: David Smith
“If you’re interested in the business, and you’re a wardrobe, hair, design, set, production assistant — any aspect of the business, the most important thing you should do is get on the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission website and register your business.”
On New Jersey’s movie-making attitude
Speaker: Michael Uslan
“Together, we are going to reclaim New Jersey from its place as the birth of the movie industry to the place where the future of the movie industry lies.”
On past, present and future of film
From: Lt. Gov. Dr. Dale Caldwell
“Fort Lee started this film industry. So, we’re the past, we’re the present, and we’re the future of film.”
