No one can say that the motion picture industry has had it easy these past few years. After the boom of work post- Covid, we fell into a time of oversaturation of the market. Productions that had been paused got back on their feet, regularly slated work continued and many studios tried to push out as much new content as possible. The industry then went into contract negotiations with various unions such as SAG-AFTRA, the Writer’s Guild, and IATSE, leading to months-long strikes and work stoppages. On top of this, there were fires in LA that paused production, studios decided they wanted to make less content overall, and the threat of AI became imminent. (Photo Left - Lionsgate/Great Point in Newark rendering)
One exciting light that came out of all of this chaos is a renewed interest in creating movies and television in “Hollywood East”, specifically New Jersey, the true original birthplace of the industry. With its proximity to the vast resources of New York City, its ability to give you almost any landscape you could need, and its enticing tax credit, which originally passed in 2018, it’s no wonder the industry is slowly moving back home to New Jersey.
New Jersey is rapidly becoming a film hub, with various larger studios and independent production houses calling it home. A few of these studios are:
IN THE WORKS:
Netflix Fort Monmouth- With plans to create a state-of-the-art production facility announced in 2022, the Netflix Fort Monmouth location has been the most hyped development of the past few years. The new space will feature 12 cutting-edge soundstages totaling nearly 500,000 square feet, along with other amenities dedicated to supporting film and the surrounding community. It is projected to fully open in 2028.
There is not yet contact information for this studio.
Lionsgate Newark Studios/Great Point Studios- This is another studio in development, slated to be complete in 2027. This 300,000 square foot studio will house multiple soundstages, production offices, set-building facilities and production services like grip/electric, equipment storage, catering, props, parking and security. It will hold six sound stages in total.
164 Dayton St, Newark NJ
https://greatpointstudios.com/studios/newark-studios/
1888 Studios- This location will soon house the entertainment giant Paramount, boasting 23 smaller sound stages. Paramount rumored to have signed a 10 year lease, and construction broke ground this past December. This campus is slated to be the largest production facility in the Northeast. Fun fact- the studio is named after the year Thomas Edison patented the first moving images camera in New Jersey!
1888 Studios, Bayonne NJ
1888Studios.com (website currently under development)
Socials: @1888studios
STUDIOS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE:
Cinelease Studios- Boasting “over 1 million square feet under one roof”, Cinelease has locations across the country and Canada, including one in Jersey City. The building holds 3 sound stages and multiple flex spaces perfect for office use, as well as a few off-site support spaces for overflow offices and Lighting/Grip spaces. Recently produced there was the thriller, The Housemaid, currently in theaters.
21 Caven Point Ave. Jersey City NJ
p: 404-301-6850
e:STUDIO.INFO@CINELEASE.COM, STUDIO.BOOKING@CINELEASE.COM
Socials: @cineleasestudios
Parlay Studios- An 80,000 square foot studio space that also offers in-house rentals, office space, green rooms and more. The building holds three stages and three studios, and is known for its drive-in studio space.
6 Senate Place, Jersey City NJ
p: 201-459-9044 or 646-489-5131
e: studio@parlaystudios.com
Socials: @parlaystudios
10 Basin Studios- Two studios totaling 60,000 square feet, this completely soundproof studio offers green rooms, truck parking, and flex spaces. They also offer in-house rental options for lighting and grip equipment. Two of Adam Sandler’s most recent Netflix movies, Don’t Say Good Luck and Roommates, both coming out this year, were shot next to each other in this studio.
10 Basin Drive, Kearny NJ
p: 718-855-1197
www.easterneffects.com/ studios/10-basin-studios/
Mile End Studios- Transformed into a production space in 2020, this complex is a 65,000 square foot space with two large studios, two office spaces and a mill space. Netflix’s movie starring Jennifer Lopez, The Last Mrs. Parrish was filmed here.
78 John Miller Way, Kearny
p: 973.493.1087
e: mileendstudios@gmail.com
Socials: @mileendstudios
Palisades Stages- Advertised as New Jersey’s first true sound stage, this 40,000 square foot space has two fully separate yet adjacent stage spaces. It first opened in 2021 and quickly expanded in 2022. As demand for space in New Jersey bolsters, studios like Palisades Stages underscore the potential these spaces have to continue to grow along with it.
20 Basin Drive, Kearny NJ
p: 201.881.9541
e: inquiries@palisadestages.com
Socials: @palisade_stages
WREK’D Productions- This 1,400 square foot Black Box Sound Stage is minority and woman owned, offering an incredibly versatile space for just about any type of project from music videos to live performances. They offer professional lighting and an in-house audio system, along with a separate podcast and content creation studio.
1 Sheila Dr. Tinton Falls, NJ
p: 732-936-9916
e: Keli@WreckdProductions.com
Sustainable Studios- Just under 37,000 square feet, this is a cost-conscious production facility. The space holds a sound stage, office space, green and dressing rooms, catering spaces and parking lots capable of holding full basecamps. As their title states, they are committed to being a sustainable work space for the industry, implementing green technology and sustainable best practices. Their goal is to help productions reduce waste and their carbon footprints. This studio housed some of the work of The Housemaid and the full production of Happy Gilmore 2.
24 Empire Blvd. | Moonachie
p: 917-667-2553
e: charlie@sustainablestudiosnj.com
Socials: @sustainablestudiosnj
There are currently over 70 functioning studios in New Jersey, and many more are being built each year. The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission has a comprehensive and frequently updated list with sound stages as big as full studio homes, all the way to small insert spaces. See the ever growing list here. NJ Motion Picture amp; Television Commission - NJ Studios