By: Follow South Jersey Staff
PAULSBORO, N.J. – In-state production spending from filmmaking exceeded half a billion dollars in 2021, according to the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.
With the rapid growth of New Jersey’s film production industry, Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. and Deputy Director Heather Simmons of Gloucester County joined film industry leaders Monday evening to launch South Jersey’s first joint film office. The South Jersey Film Office Cooperative will assist in a variety of services for film productions such as permitting and location scouting.
“We are always looking for ways to bring new employment and economic opportunities to Camden County and the South Jersey Film Cooperative is one way to do that,” Cappelli said in a press release from Camden County. “Camden County has a unique geography that can serve as the setting to a variety of film projects. Whether it’s the urban backdrop on the Delaware River or the rural terrain in the Pine Barrens, Camden County has much to offer and we’re overjoyed to embark on this new venture.”
The communities within Camden and Gloucester counties are suited to be the backdrop for almost any type of production, officials said. Each county features diverse environments including idyllic main streets, bustling urban centers, untouched forests, manicured parks, historic estates, rolling farmlands and much more.
The South Jersey Film Office Cooperative was created to benefit both the communities within Camden and Gloucester counties as well as visiting production companies. The cooperative will allow communities to gain promotion and exposure along with multiple economic opportunities that will follow suit. As for the productions, the New Jersey Film & Digital Media Tax Credit Program provides an incentive for credit against the corporation business tax for the production of films and digital media.
“The South Jersey Film Office Cooperative will bring an extraordinary amount of opportunity to all Southern New Jersey’s, as we look forward to welcoming participation from our neighboring counties,” Heather Simmons, Gloucester County Board of Commissioners Deputy Director, said. “The economic benefits of bringing productions to both counties are endless. It will help stimulate growth and create employment opportunities across the industry.”
The South Jersey Film Office Cooperative will offer free assistance for productions working within the counties. With an understanding of the filming process and thorough knowledge of Camden and Gloucester counties, the film office helps productions take advantage of everything the region has to offer filmmakers.
The cooperative’s website serves as the central contact point for filmmakers looking to work in the southern part of New Jersey. With an interactive map of the most popular locations, contact information for each municipal partner and vendor listings, this is a one-stop shop for the industry.
For more information on the South Jersey Film Office Cooperative, please visit https://sjfilmoffice.com.
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