Location Scout Resources for the State of New Jersey
including state and local Film Office info, news and other information of interest to Location Scouts, Location Managers and other Production Personnel. See also More NJ Location Scout Resources
Location Scout Spotlight: Rutherford, NJ
Rutherford, NJ is a great “Anytown, USA” location!
- Within the New York City Film Zone
- Contact Borough Clerk for Film Permits (Rutherford Borough Website)
- There is a castle in Rutherford!
- William Neumann, Chairman of the Rutherford Historic Preservation Commission and a life-long resident, is also the unofficial Rutherford Film Commission.
…Neumann adds,
…Rutherford also has an artificial turf exhibition stadium in the middle of a large recreation area (just had some filming done there), an equity performing arts center with two stages and three screening rooms, a rowing club on the Passaic River used by Olympic teams for practice, a small college campus with a vacant library building, dorm rooms, small gym and a castle, an architecturally wonderful train station in the middle of a town square, a comfortably vibrant downtown with interesting restaurant interiors, a picturesque town hall with nice old-fashion council chambers, several schools that date to over 100 yrs, a very diverse housing stock and landscape with a lot of 1920’s Foursquares and 1880 Queen Annes, a district of quaint semi-un-molested Cape Cods, a small district of Meadowlands, two large isolated office buildings, a nearby small commercial (Teterboro) airport, connections to all major roads and highways…
…and a film friendly atmosphere that has hosted many commercial, industrial, advertising, TV and feature productions.
If I can add anything more, please know I’m at your service.
Billy (oh… and we are right across the river from Rutt’s Hut!)
Park Avenue in Rutherford, NJ at Dusk
Rutherford, NJ Wikipedia page
Photos of Rutherford, NJ at Flickr
Rutherford, NJ Google Images search
New Jersey at Amazon
Location Scout Resource: New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission
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About New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission
Who We Are
The New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission is staffed by industry professionals. The Commission enjoys the full support of the Governor’s Office, and state and local governments.
The interest in filming here is at an all-time high for many reasons, including the state’s location diversity, its proximity to New York and the professional support you’ll receive from the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission. We are here to help. Whether you are still considering New Jersey or have already decided to shoot in our state, you’ll get red carpet treatment.
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New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission Locations
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New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission Production Services Directory
The Production Services Directory is your comprehensive guide to production related personnel, goods and services available in New Jersey. Search the category index…
- Location Scout R. Richard Hobbs NJ Film Production Services Directory listing
(as well as listings of other New Jersey Locations Professionals)
Other New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission Headings
- Filming Regulations and Guidelines
- State Info – Weather, Maps…
- New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission Production Services Directory
- New Jersey Filmography
- Now Filming
- Bulletin Board
- Press Releases
- Contact New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission
- Links
- Save New Jersey Film – at this writing, 4/5/2008, the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission is slated to be eliminated as of July 1st, 2008, per New Jersey state government budget cuts. NJ Film is responsible for economic development in the state of New Jersey by way of film production occurring in the state to the tune of $92m per year and is an invaluable resource for for filmmaking and production professionals statewide.
· Support NJ Film / More Info
· Contact New Jersey State Governor Jon S. Corzine’s Office
Location Scout Spotlight – Dave Schoner News
Dave Schoner writes to me:
In the Star-Ledger Newspaper this Sunday, Feb 25th, in the Accent Section, there will be an article written about the work I do as the Production Coordinator at the New Jersey Film Commission. It is part of their series I Am New Jersey. The series focuses on people with different and interesting jobs.
Indeed! Dave does have a very interesting job… a job he is very good at as well!
Dave Schoner is one of my chief allies in the trenches; I call the New Jersey Film Office all the time as a location scout for help with tough film location problems. Dave is a walking encyclopedia of New Jersey film locations, general state geography and local facts. NJ Film is one of the finest film offices in the entire country and I should know, I have probably consulted most if not all the state film commissions around the U.S. at one time or another.
So- good for you Dave!
As soon as I can find an online link to the newspaper article, I will post it.
UPDATE: The newspaper article about David Schoner, Jr. of the New Jersey Film Office ran in the Star Ledger March 4th. The online version, Star Ledger Online- Location, Location, Location is here.
Blogs – nj.com
About I Am NJ | About the Blog
Launched Oct. 15, 2006 in The Star-Ledger, the I am New Jersey series offers a glimpse into the lives of New Jerseyans who make the Garden State a better place.
nj.com I Am NJ Feed
NJ Film Lore: Friday The 13th Film Locations
Friday the 13th, (the well-known horror cult-classic film series) used locations in NJ for filming the original movie of the series; specifically, Blairstown, NJ, Hope, NJ and Camp NoBeBoSco in Hardwick Township, NJ.
I have been to Camp NoBeBoSco, while on a photo shoot some years back at the “next camp over”, Princeton-Blairstown Center run by Princeton University. Both camps are picturesque and rustic and would likely make great future filming locations.
Friday the 13th Part 2 was filmed around the Litchfield County, CT area and then moved after that to the Saugus, CA area for part 3.
Friday 13th Movie at Amazon
Location Scout R. Richard Hobbs Amazon aStore
Movie Locations at Amazon
Excellent Article About Filmmaking in New Jersey – Entertainment Law In New Jersey: A Century Of Supporting The Motion Picture Industry
The article is a couple of years old at this point (how did I miss this?) and takes a bit of a “lawyerly” tack at times, but New Jersey Film Office Staff Member Steven Gorelick gives a star performance as interviewee espousing the history of and importance of filmaking to our culture and economy in New Jersey.
Editor: How is the New Jersey Film Commission helping independent filmmakers get their start?
Gorelick: You’d be surprised how many films at Sundance are from New Jersey. Garden State was a hit this year at Sundance. Clerks and Kevin Smith’s other works have also been well received. Two Family House , which won at Sundance, was filmed in Bayonne and many other films in the competition were shot here. It’s amazing the percentage of Sundance winners and Sundance entrants that are made in New Jersey. The Station Agent won two years ago.
note: above quote snippet taken from interview conducted and published in 2004
Long Beach Island (LBI) Vacation Rentals: Film Locations?
Great Rentals | Long Beach Island vacation rentals New Jersey Home | Description: Welcome to our SUMMER HOUSE
Exclusive beach community on Long Beach Island, NJ, rated in the top five of the National Geographic Traveler Magazine’s Best Beaches in the USA Poll.
Exclusive, Loveladies, NJ ocean-side home on private lane, 200 feet from private entrance to wide, white sand, ocean beach.
A lot of times when I get location research requests or location scouting requests for beach / water front properties, cabins – requests that any vacation type property might be suited for… I’ll check vacation rental websites such as Great Rentals or Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO); it’s a bit different having a film or photo crew come in and use the property as a film or photo location than it is to rent the place to a family on vacation or per a similar vacation situation – but not SO different 😉 …my mileage has varied; some people are interested, some aren’t; really depends on the property owner and the specific circumstance at the time.
Vacation rental listings could also be useful finding lodging for a film or photo crew depending on the area if the production is to take place outside a major metro area – again, a lot depends on the specific circumstances of a given situation.
Film Locations in New Jersey
New York Times: Getting the Big Picture; The Film Industry Started Here and Left. Now It’s Back, and the State Says the Sequel Is Huge
By ANDREA KANNAPELL | Published: October 4, 1998
MERYL STREEP came to Maplewood for One True Thing. Scott Rudin brought Kevin Kline to Montclair for In and Out. Harrison Ford stalked through Newark City Hall in Presumed Innocent. Nicolas Cage and Matt Damon stormed Atlantic City for Snake Eyes and Rounders, respectively. Jim Jarmusch is in Jersey City now, for Ghost Dog. Woody Allen worked at the Jersey City Armory for Deconstructing Harry and in Atlantic City for Celebrity; he is planning to cross the George Washington Bridge again this month for his next project. Norman Jewison will be here, too, to recreate the story of the boxer Hurricane Carter.
They’re all filming.
South Jersey Magazine | Coming Soon to a Theater Near You
(free registration required)
South Jersey’s picturesque landscape, fertile fields of talent, and unparalleled personality make it big-screen worthy more than you probably know…
County wants tax incentives for filmmakers – South Bergenite
Members of the Bergen County Film Commission along with New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission Executive Director Steve Gorlick, Bergen County …
Senator Sarlo Vows To Renew Push For Digital Media Tax Credit PolitickerNJ
all 2 news articles
Possibly filming locations around New Jersey?
Local filmmaker will show work at festival – Colts Neck News Transcript
I just love shooting films in New Jersey. I always try to film here since you have so much control over the location. In New York you have to deal with hassles like parking and unwanted noise. I’ve used Point Pleasant, Brick, and even George Washington’s old house in Morristown as locations for filming,” Valenti said.
NJSEA and Film Commission to look for other locations
– South Bergenite – NJSEA and Film Commission to look for other locations – South Bergenite
After Bergen County Film Commission (BCFC) members stated at a press conference on Sept. 29 that they wanted a feasibility study conducted on the viability …
- IZOD is center of film studio debate (Score: ) The Leader Newspapers
- Panel yells 'Cut!' on media center study The Star-Ledger – NJ.com
- all 5 news articles
- New Jersey Sports and Exhibition Authority
- Bergen County Film Commission
Proposal floated to turn Izod Center into giant film studio
– The Star-Ledger – NJ.com
by Russell Ben-Ali/The Star-Ledger A proposal by members of the Bergen County Film Commission to turn the soon-to-be shuttered Izod Center into one of the …
North Jersey's office market shows resilience in 3rd quarter TMCnet
all 3 news articles
Wants to put movie studio in Hudson
– The Jersey Journal – NJ.com – Wants to put movie studio in Hudson – The Jersey Journal – NJ.com
An Australian-born cinematographer who has been involved in the making of 30 films is looking to set up a film and TV production studio in Hudson County.
NJFilm Budget Followup
– Keeping a publicly funded film commission open for business is tough work, altho, contrary to apparently popular belief, a film commission typically exists primarily as a promoter of local economic development, rather than an arts organization.
Media is BIG business and a state with as much potential in the way of a qualified crew base, close proximity to a major media hub (New York City), a diverse selection of locations and other valuable resources is not doing itself or its residents justice if it does not maintain a thriving film office to properly market itself to bring film, video and photo shoots, tv commercials and other media projects to the state. It takes money to fund a film commission to cover marketing costs, staff it with competent, resourceful workers and offer production tax incentives, but the returns are many-fold.
New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission Budget Followup – Following a hard fought battle fending off the threat of elimination via loss of its state funding, the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (NJFilm) manages to live on, operating, going forward, on a reduced budget of $395,000 per year, as reported by the Star Ledger Online:
Star Ledger Online | State’s $32.9B budget finds money for business, arts and others | by Joe Donohue and Susan K. Livio / The Star-Ledger
…Among the changes disclosed yesterday:
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$395,000 restored for the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission. That’s still a $147,000 cut, but Corzine wanted to eliminate all its funding.
- Herald News / Editorial: There’s no good reason to cut this scene | By Herald News, Herald News The movie industry has long history in New Jersey
Hollywood might be the home of the motion picture industry, but New Jersey is its birthplace.
…Clearly, the film industry and the state of New Jersey have a long and mutually beneficial partnership. It would be a shame to see that relationship ruptured by one small line in a $33 million budget.
Save Filmmaking in New Jersey (SaveNewJerseyFilm.com)
…a website to support the film office, reports that NJ Film was responsible for $92m in state revenue in 2007 from film production and related business activities.
- The State of New Jersey and the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission offer attractive film production tax incentives.
- The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission has faced the threat of elimination in the past as well.
Garden State Film Festival 2008
– The 2008 Garden State Film Festival will take place April 3rd thru 6th at The Paramount Theater, Asbury Park, NJ. (directions)
Complete film lineup and schedule available on the Garden State Film Festival website
Forsaken: Abandoned In and Around New Jersey – PERFECT Location Scout Gift!
Location scouts LOVE exploring (and reading about) historical, abandoned and just about any type of quirky, off-the-beaten path location you can think of; bonus points for this one for me because the book is all about New Jersey and vicinity – right in my own back yard.
But don’t worry about buying it for me 😉 – I already bought a copy! But you might want to consider buying Forsaken: Abandoned In and Around New Jersey for a location scout you know or anyone else interested in unusual places and the stories behind them.
WeirdNJ: Forsaken: Abandoned In and Around New Jersey at Amazon
- Forsaken: Abandoned In and Around New Jersey at the WeirdNJ Store
- Forsaken: Abandoned In and Around New Jersey contains photography by Rusty Tagliereni
- Other Weird NJ Books @ Amazon
- WeirdNJ Store
- WierdNJ Website
Possibly filming locations in New Jersey
New Jersey – Wikipedia
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware. New Jersey is the 4th least extensive, but the 11th most populous and the most densely populated of the 50 United States. New Jersey lies mostly within the sprawling metropolitan areas of New York City and Philadelphia. It is also the third wealthiest by 2009-2010 median household income.
New Jersey at Amazon
Location Scout Spotlight: Garden State Movie
New Slang by The Shins came on my Ipod today and I was reminded how much I liked the song and the movie Garden State of which soundtrack the song was a part. That’s all.
Garden State at IMDB
Garden State at Fox Searchlight Pictures
The Shins
The Shins at MySpace
The Shins Google Music Search
Zach Braff Website
Google Search: Garden State Movie
Garden State Movie at Amazon
Location Scout Spotlight: For Sopranos Fans
– If you were (are?) a fan of the Sopranos (like me!), you might be very interested in this website (The Sopranos on Location) I found which has a theme based on the locations used for filming the aforementioned long-running and award-winning cable-tv series which aired new episodes beginning 1999 till June 2007.
I always liked the show personally and altho I never had the opportunity to work on the show (somebody on their production team called once looking for a location scout but the call was interrupted and whatever was to be discussed between us never happened…) the show was always of interest to me professionally (as a location scout), as the majority of their filming locations over the years were in the New York City – northern New Jersey area, often just minutes from my office and places I drive past on a regular basis.
The Sopranos on Location website includes many production photos describing many of the local locations used for filming the show as well as various stories by property owners and fans of the show regarding their encounters with the production.
The Hudson Reporter – HOBOKEN REPORTER – 03/19/2006
Look out your window at The Sopranos Popular TV show scouting local locations; residents talk about new season | By Mark J. Bonamo
Charlie Krajewski Jr. is hoping that his Secaucus bar soon becomes a shooting location for the HBO TV mob drama The Sopranos, because a location scout recently stopped in to check the place out.
New York University College of Dentistry Film Location
Actor Will Janowitz, who plays Meadow’s dental student boyfriend Finn DeTruillio on The Sopranos, during the shooting of a scene in NYUCD’s simulation lab.
The College of Dentistry’s high-tech simulation lab where first-and second-year dental students learn clinical skills and decision making before they have actual patient contact- was the site recently of a scene for the HBO hit series, The Sopranos.”
The Sopranos on Location Scout R. Richard Hobbs – nyc.locationscout.us
