the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, five separate projects within New Jersey’s film and television industry have received approval for public grants, announced state officials on Wednesday. Additionally, a potential film studio in North Jersey near Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange is in the works.
These grants, totaling $9.5 million, mark the latest investment by Governor Phil Murphy’s administration into the state’s entertainment sector following the enactment of a tax credit program in 2018. Since then, public records reveal that the state has allocated $723 million towards film, television, and digital media productions.
Among the notable recipients of state support are Audible in Newark, Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” filmed in Paterson, Zack Snyder’s “Army of the Dead,” shot in Atlantic City, and “The Many Saints of Newark,” the “Sopranos” prequel.
The approved grants aim to enhance local film studios across five municipalities, supporting both existing projects and new facilities. Tim Sullivan, head of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, emphasized that this funding will facilitate crucial infrastructure improvements to promote studio construction, further solidifying New Jersey’s position in the film and television industry.
The breakdown of the projects includes:
- $4.7 million for the Carteret Stages facility in Carteret
- $2.1 million for a studio production facility in Jersey City
- $1.4 million for infrastructure work at Cinelease Studios in Jersey City
- $1 million for improvements at a motion picture and media sound stage in Egg Harbor City
- $176,000 for upgrades at a community arts center in East Brunswick
Mayor Daniel J. Reiman of Carteret hailed the film studio project as transformative for the borough, envisioning it as a regional destination.
In West Orange, local officials are proposing a film studio behind the Edison Lofts on Main Street. The studio, spanning 12.2 acres, will feature multiple production stages and on-site services. Matrix Development Group, the project developer, has pledged financial support to ensure its success.
Mayor Susan McCartney expressed optimism about the venture’s positive impact on the local economy. West Orange recently received the “film ready” designation from the state, signaling its readiness to attract top-tier productions.
Tim Sullivan emphasized the significance of the Film Ready New Jersey program in fostering the growth of the state’s film industry by equipping municipalities and counties with the necessary resources to welcome productions.
Filming in New Jersey , Invest in THE KING OF CON: The True Tale of Thomas Giacomaro: Con Man, Mob Guy, Fugitive, FBI Informant. Over $323,005 raised
https://wefunder.com/the.king.of.con.docuseries.2022
How to invest on #EquityCrowdfunding Site #Wefunder https://youtu.be/BHhBnzoCZRQ
This old house in town today..