Lights out: New Jersey’s budding film industry takes a hit

New Jersey has had a budding film industry over the past two years, but the coronavirus has put a halt to any production happening in the Garden State.

News 12 Staff

Mar 31, 2020, 12:55 AM

Updated 1,485 days ago

Share:

New Jersey has had a budding film industry over the past two years, but the coronavirus has put a halt to any production happening in the Garden State.
The executive director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission says that the state went from having a blockbuster year to a shutdown.
“Last year we had revenue from production exceed $400 million,” says Steven Gorelick.
New Jersey filmmakers Adam Ambrosio and Jamison Locascio say that they are making the most of their time in self-isolation.
More: Your Coronavirus Photos
undefined

“We have quite a good amount of time in quarantine to do all the editing and the music,” says Ambrosio.
The pair says that they are editing their third feature while staying in.
“You definitely feel life seeps in. And it seeps into sometimes the creativity, so we sometimes have to try to block that out,” Locascio says.
Movie-making in New Jersey was all but dormant until 2018 when tax credits for filming were reinstated. New Jersey then became home to highly acclaimed films like “Joker.” Production was underway for Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story.”


More from News 12
0:17
Police: 2 Queens men, woman arrested in Darien for breaking into cars

Police: 2 Queens men, woman arrested in Darien for breaking into cars

3:19
Chilly temperatures overnight in Connecticut, scattered shower returns on Wednesday

Chilly temperatures overnight in Connecticut, scattered shower returns on Wednesday

0:25
Former MIT researcher who killed Yale graduate student sentenced to 35 years in prison

Former MIT researcher who killed Yale graduate student sentenced to 35 years in prison

2:07
Remembering the L'Ambiance Plaza collapse 37 years later

Remembering the L'Ambiance Plaza collapse 37 years later

1:57
Lawmakers approve state worker pay raises, but can CT afford it?

Lawmakers approve state worker pay raises, but can CT afford it?

1:53
Fairfield University says annual springtime Clam Jam is changing locations

Fairfield University says annual springtime Clam Jam is changing locations

0:51
CT lawmakers advance constitutional amendment scrapping guaranteed bail

CT lawmakers advance constitutional amendment scrapping guaranteed bail

0:18
Restored Barnum Museum eagle placed back on dome

Restored Barnum Museum eagle placed back on dome

0:42
Quassy Amusement Park, Lake Compounce to open Saturday

Quassy Amusement Park, Lake Compounce to open Saturday

2:43
Made In Connecticut: Behind the scenes at Microboard Processing in Seymour

Made In Connecticut: Behind the scenes at Microboard Processing in Seymour

0:26
USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

0:26
4 Express locations to close in Connecticut

4 Express locations to close in Connecticut

0:48
9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

2:27
State lawmaker pushes for bill that would help families pay for funeral expenses

State lawmaker pushes for bill that would help families pay for funeral expenses

1:41
Sen. Murphy visits Q30 in Norwalk, highlights funds for medical devices that protect against traumatic brain injury

Sen. Murphy visits Q30 in Norwalk, highlights funds for medical devices that protect against traumatic brain injury

0:35
Wilton PD: Reckless driver led officers in pursuit, crashed into 2 cars, assaulted officers

Wilton PD: Reckless driver led officers in pursuit, crashed into 2 cars, assaulted officers

2:00
Gov. Lamont wants to help your boss pay your student loans. Why it won’t cost taxpayers extra

Gov. Lamont wants to help your boss pay your student loans. Why it won’t cost taxpayers extra

0:21
Trumbull police search for 15-year-old ‘runaway’ girl

Trumbull police search for 15-year-old ‘runaway’ girl

3:14
Dozens arrested at Yale pro-Palestinian rally

Dozens arrested at Yale pro-Palestinian rally

2:19
Turn to Tara team looks at new domestic violence laws implemented across tri-state following NJ murder-suicide

Turn to Tara team looks at new domestic violence laws implemented across tri-state following NJ murder-suicide