By Steffen Klenk
On December 22, 2022, Netflix announced a landmark deal that will bring new production facilities to the state of New Jersey. The streaming platform announced that it has purchased Fort Monmouth, a former U.S. Army base in Monmouth County, for $850 million. The plan is to transform the facility into a TV and film production facility that will house 12 sound stages, back lots, and auxiliary production spaces.
The once-utilized Army installation covers nearly 1,126 acres of land and was leased by the Army as a training site for officers in the early 1900s. In 1925, the facility was renamed Fort Monmouth and the first permanent building was constructed three years later. During World War II, additional property was purchased to accommodate nearly 20,000 enlisted personnel and over 1,500 officers. The post officially closed on September 15, 2011, with redevelopment plans submitted shortly thereafter.
At Weist-Barron-Ryan Acting Workshops, hardworking talent apply their craft in hopes of breaking it big in the industry. Quinn Showell and Stefanie Ryan are the faces behind the third generation family owned business, currently based out of Galloway. They described their excitement to the news in an interview earlier this month. “This has been in the process for so long, and we knew that this was going to be a done deal,” Showell says. “I think it just skyrocketed everyone’s excitement.”
This news comes on the heels of a growing film industry throughout the state. The New Jersey Film and Television Commission reports more than half a billion dollars was spent on film and television production in 2021, with over 700 total projects and more than 5,500 jobs created that year. The state’s film tax incentive has allowed productions to apply for an up-to 30 percent credit, and up to 35 percent for films shot in the southern half of the state.
The state’s two-year film tax credit program was extended last year to 2034, allowing more incentive for production houses within the state. Ryan says there has never been a better time for this growing industry. “More of our people are working regularly, a few have left their other jobs to pursue acting full time, because it’s a viable industry now to be able to do that.”
News of the Netflix entry into the Garden State came to fruition as early as July 2021, when word came about a meeting between Netflix executives and Governor Phil Murphy. Later that year, the video streaming platform announced its intent to bid on the Fort Monmouth property, appraised at the time at $54 million. The Fort Monmouth site would become the second-largest production complex for the streaming giant behind its facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
More production studios are also in the works up and down the state. In May 2022, Lionsgate announced a brand new $125 million TV and film studio to be built in Newark, with up to five soundstages. Lionsgate received “Studio Partner” designation in the state last month. There is also traction throughout South Jersey, with Weekly World News announcing plans to utilize facilities in Vineland. “I think that the state is going to be very surprised over the next couple of years with the amount of studios that are looking to build here, and that have already started building here.” Showell says.
As the industry continues to see much growth in the state, some local cities and counties are beginning to take advantage of this growing field, with film offices opened in Atlantic City, as well as Camden and Gloucester Counties. With a diversified, inclusive film industry, tax credit programs set into place, and new production facilities coming over the next several years, New Jersey is set to lead the way as one of America’s film capitals.
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
