THE FUTURE OF STUDIO CONSTRUCTION AND FILM PRODUCTION IN THE GARDEN STATE
By Michael Farrell, Regional Vice President, Structure Tone New Jersey
With its proximity to New York City and scenery ranging from forests to seacoasts, the state of New Jersey has a lot to offer film and television production. When the state passed its Film and Digital Media Tax Credit in 2018, studio developers noticed, and the state is now seeing more studio facilities underway. So, what makes New Jersey a smart place for studio facilities and what new projects are coming down the (turn)pike?
NEW JERSEY’S FILM LEGACY
Before diving into the recent surge in film and television production facilities across New Jersey, we must acknowledge the Garden State’s deep-rooted history in television production. Not many people know Thomas Edison’s lab based in West Orange actually invented motion picture technology. In fact, his studio the Black Maria had the first copyrighted motion picture in the United States. Once the introduction of the motion picture changed the landscape of film production forever, New Jersey proved to be a great place to film iconic TV shows and movies for years to come—from The Sopranos to The Hunger Games. Whether the scene calls for woodlands, beaches, or cityscapes, New Jersey has it all.
LEVERAGING LOCATION: NJ’s STRATEGIC EDGE
Another plus is the state’s proximity to New York City. With the increase in streaming content and constant development of new productions, there’s a shortage of sound stages across the US but, particularly in the Northeast. Many productions want the backdrop of New York City, so in 2018, the state offered a tax incentive that included not only filming in New Jersey but also the pre- and post-production. The pre and post element is critical because it makes up so much of the film process, including editing, sound, screenings, color correction, and more.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) also created the Studio Partner Program, which gives additional incentives to studios that meet certain criteria, including site control of a production facility that is at least 250,000sf for at least 10 years.
BUILDING FOR THE BIG SCREEN
So, what does this industry look for when siting a building? It’s an intricate process. Sound stages alone require high sound transmission and acoustic rating, high-security systems to control access, and high-power capacity and availability. Typically, production companies will also have large acoustic doors to move around set pieces, therefore a structure with tall ceilings, no columns, and clear spans is a must. Not to mention the additional space required for building sets, set decoration and prop storage, wardrobe, specialized post-production spaces, and administrative areas.
FINDING A WORTHY CO-STAR
When building world-class facilities for large-scale productions, you’ll need a team who not only understands how to deliver your vision—but who can deliver it on time and within budget. With continuous supply chain challenges, a strong preconstruction team who knows the MEP requirements of a sound stage and can streamline long-lead items like switchboards, is invaluable. Specifically in New Jersey, which is seeing more and more building conversions on the horizon, working with a project team who has complete knowledge of how to build high-level systems and can handle the nuances that come with repurposing facilities, is a clear advantage.
THE NEXT CHAPTER FOR NEW JERSEY FILM PRODUCTION
So, is New Jersey the next Hollywood? With its unmatched diversity of landscapes, innovative incentives, and strategic partnerships, we think the Garden State might give Tinseltown a run for its money!