But over the past 20 years, movies were quietly made in New Jersey. In 1993, Kevin Smith changed all that by breaking the rules and producing a low-budget film Clerks. The film put Smith, and making films in New Jersey, back on the map. In the past few years, the number of films made in New Jersey skyrocketed. As this century comes to a close, we wonder what will happen in the way films are made and viewed here in our home state.
New Jersey is unique from many other states because it actively markets itself to the film industry.
The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission acts as a liaison between film companies and authorities on the state and municipal level to clear the path for projects, large and small. Gorelick is quick to sing the praises of our state, pointing out the tremendous variety of locations in a compact geographical area, close proximity to New York City and Philadelphia, and a huge pool of talented people who work in the film industry who live in New Jersey. The commission maintains a huge location library. When a production company calls looking for the perfect place to shoot, they'll have photos of possible locations presented to them quickly. A database of professionals working in New Jersey is also available, making it easy to find everything from a good caterer and reputable place to stay to trained animals and antique automobiles, not to mention plenty of producers, directors, cinematographers and sound technicians.