Here's what Somerset County is doing to attract movie and TV productions
Somerset County is ready for its closeup.
Four towns in the county – Franklin, Hillsborough, South Bound Brook and Watchung – are the first municipalities in New Jersey to complete the multi-step training and certification process to be designated as Film Ready Communities by the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.
Launched as a pilot program in Somerset County in September, the Film Ready program will be extended statewide this spring.
"We are excited to be participating in the Film Ready Certification process through the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission," said Hillsborough Mayor Shawn Lipani. “We are proud of the uniqueness of our community from the bustling center of town to our rolling hills and farmland and look forward to being able to share that beyond Hillsborough.”
In the certification process, the towns demonstrated they have the locations, expertise and resources to support video shoots, county officials said.
The county commissioners launched the Somerset County Film Commission in 2021 to take advantage of the state’s tax credit program for video productions.
The Film Commission’s partnership with its Film Ready Communities is part of a larger effort to educate production companies about the benefits of coming to Somerset County.
The Commission's website has possible shooting locations throughout the county, a history of films in the county starting with Madame Butterfly in 191 and information about the county's workforce and other resources.
The Commission also has a video promoting Somerset County as a filming location.
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“Somerset County is pleased to provide New Jersey’s inaugural class of Film Ready Communities, demonstrating the fantastic opportunities offered by our diverse filming locations, local businesses, and proximity to major cities and transportation hubs,” said Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Robinson. “I want to thank each of our municipalities who worked so hard to become Film Ready, and the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission for choosing Somerset County to kick off this project.”
The municipalities are excited to earn the Film Ready certification.
"Watchung Borough is proud to have earned the Film Ready designation and excited to host upcoming film and TV productions offering our bucolic settings and unwavering support," said Watchung Mayor Ronald Jubin.
Somerset County’s diverse communities can be used as a backdrop for almost any type of production, story or concept, according to county officials. The country has traditional downtowns and urban centers, untouched forests and manicured parks, distinguished historic estates and apartment complexes, rolling farmland and winding rivers, a professional baseball stadium and high school football fields, scenic back roads and major interstate highways, county officials said.
The county is within driving distance of more than a half-dozen international airports and is halfway between New York City and Philadelphia, county officials added.
“Somerset County has everything a production could want to put together a high-quality project, including experienced crews, diverse locations, talented actors, and an unparalleled hospitality industry,” said Daryl Eisenberg, chair of the Somerset County Film Commission and owner and managing partner of Eisenberg/Beans Casting. “Our Film Commission and Film Ready Communities are ready to support projects from commercials to videos to feature films and look forward to working with productions to help make their vision a reality.”
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Somerset County NJ tries attract movie, TV production
