New Jersey’s film and television industry has grown rapidly in recent years, fueled in part by state tax incentives designed to attract productions.

On the latest episode of Garden State Greenlight, Alex Holderbaum, partner and team leader of Withum’s Theatre and Entertainment Services team, and Conor Barnes, partner and team co-leader of the firm’s Music Industry team, join ROI-NJ Multimedia Journalist Thomas Philip to discuss how the state’s film tax credit works and what the industry’s growth could mean for New Jersey’s economy.

Withum is a top-25 advisory, tax and accounting firm providing accounting, tax, audit and advisory services to clients across a range of industries.

Its Theatre and Entertainment Services team provides accounting, attest, tax and advisory services to theatrical, film, music and other entertainment clients. The team’s leadership group has more than 100 combined years of experience serving the theatre and entertainment industry, giving it specialized experience with the financial issues facing productions and entertainment businesses.

During the conversation, Holderbaum and Barnes explain how New Jersey’s film tax incentives can help make the state financially attractive to productions and break down the process filmmakers must navigate to qualify for and ultimately receive a credit.

The discussion also examines the role CPAs can play beyond the incentive itself, including tax planning, business structure, distribution and licensing agreements, and other financial considerations facing productions.

Holderbaum and Barnes also explore the industry’s broader economic impact, including new opportunities for real estate, construction, hospitality, professional services and other businesses supporting New Jersey’s growing production ecosystem.

Listen to the full conversation with Alex Holderbaum and Conor Barnes on the latest episode of Garden State Greenlight.

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As New Jersey’s film and television industry continues to grow, local movie theaters are finding new ways to connect audiences with productions being made across the state.

On the latest episode of Garden State Greenlight, Doreen Sayegh, owner of the Cranford Theater and a board member of the Garden State Film Festival, joins ROI-NJ Multimedia Journalist Thomas Philip to discuss the changing movie theater business, the importance of the communal moviegoing experience and the connection between theaters and New Jersey’s growing film industry.

Sayegh grew up in the movie theater business, working alongside her family before reopening the Cranford Theater in 2019 after it had been abandoned.

Just four months after reopening, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the theater to close. Sayegh responded by offering takeout concessions and temporary drive-in screenings before reopening the theater in 2021.

Sayegh discusses how streaming and shorter theatrical windows have changed the industry while emphasizing that theaters can offer audiences something they cannot get at home: a shared experience.

The Cranford Theater has also expanded beyond traditional movie screenings, hosting comedy shows, film festivals, independent filmmaker screenings, fundraisers and other community events.

Sayegh sees an opportunity for local theaters to play a larger role in New Jersey’s film production boom by showcasing movies filmed in the state. She also discusses how productions can benefit local communities by bringing cast and crew members into restaurants, shops and other businesses.

Looking ahead, Sayegh believes theaters must increasingly become destinations by creating memorable experiences and giving audiences reasons to leave their homes.

Listen to the full conversation with Doreen Sayegh on the latest episode of Garden State Greenlight.

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Get all of the latest New Jersey business news on ROI-NJ.com.

As New Jersey continues to attract major studios, television series and independent productions, the state is establishing itself as one of the country’s leading destinations for film and television production.

On the latest episode of Garden State Greenlight, Jon Crowley, executive director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, joins ROI-NJ Multimedia Journalist Thomas Philip to discuss the factors fueling the state's remarkable growth and what comes next for the industry.

Crowley reflects on his three-decade career in production, from starting as a production assistant and editor to leadership roles at NBCUniversal and Time Warner before transitioning to lead the state's film commission.

The conversation explores how the commission serves as a connector among filmmakers, municipalities and businesses, helping productions navigate permitting, location scouting and workforce development while promoting New Jersey as a production destination.

Crowley explains why New Jersey has become one of the nation's fastest-growing film markets, pointing to the state's experienced workforce, diverse locations, expanding production infrastructure and competitive tax incentives. He also discusses the commission's efforts to simplify the production process, making it easier for projects of every size to film throughout the state.

The discussion examines the industry’s broader economic impact, including job creation, local business spending and investment in studios, post-production facilities and other support services extending beyond film sets.

Looking ahead, Crowley shares his optimism about New Jersey’s future as Netflix, Lionsgate and Paramount expand their presence in the state. He also outlines opportunities for filmmakers, businesses, property owners and crew members to participate in the state’s growing production ecosystem.

Listen to the full conversation on the latest episode of Garden State Greenlight.

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Get all of the latest New Jersey business news on ROI-NJ.com.

As film and television production continues to expand across New Jersey, the demand for unique filming locations has created opportunities well beyond the soundstage. On the latest episode of Garden State Greenlight, Moshe Gross, founder and CEO of Reset Locations, discusses how his company has become a bridge between property owners and productions looking to film in the Garden State.

Gross reflects on his transition from commercial real estate to the entertainment industry, explaining how his experience helping redevelop Bell Works in Holmdel revealed the value film productions could bring to commercial properties. That insight eventually led him to launch Reset Locations, a location agency that helps productions secure everything from office buildings and hospitals to warehouses and private homes while guiding property owners through the logistics of hosting a shoot.

The conversation also examines how New Jersey's restored film tax incentive transformed the industry, creating new business opportunities for companies that support productions behind the scenes. Gross discusses the rapid growth of location scouting, the importance of building trust with both filmmakers and property owners, and why New Jersey's diverse geography, infrastructure and proximity to New York continue to make it an increasingly attractive production destination.

Looking ahead, Gross shares his perspective on where the industry is headed, from the growing need for production offices, storage and temporary housing to the role technology and artificial intelligence may play in location scouting. Despite those changes, he believes authentic, real-world locations will remain an essential part of filmmaking—and that New Jersey is well positioned to capitalize on the industry's continued growth.

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Get all of the latest New Jersey business news on ROI-NJ.com.

New Jersey’s film and television industry is expanding rapidly, but its continued success depends on more than tax incentives and new studio developments. It also requires strong partnerships between production companies and the communities that host them.

On the latest episode of Garden State Greenlight, Clinton Mayor and New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission Commissioner Janice Kovach joins ROI-NJ Multimedia Journalist Thomas Philip to discuss the role local governments play in supporting the state’s growing production economy.

Kovach explains how municipalities can prepare to welcome productions, why communication between filmmakers and local officials is critical, and how the commission works to bridge the gap between government and the entertainment industry.

She also highlights the often-overlooked economic impact of film production, from hotels and restaurants to sign shops, transportation companies and other small businesses that benefit when productions come to town.

The conversation also explores New Jersey’s competitive advantages, including its diverse locations, expanding studio infrastructure and concierge-style support for productions. Looking ahead, Kovach shares why she believes the state is well-positioned to continue attracting major film and television projects while creating new opportunities for residents, businesses and communities across New Jersey.

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Get all of the latest New Jersey business news on ROI-NJ.com.

Independent filmmaking requires more than creativity. It demands the mindset of an entrepreneur — balancing limited resources, financial uncertainty and the challenge of building a sustainable career.

Newark-based filmmaker and viral content creator Phil Mazo understands that reality firsthand. Through his production company, Small Mallet Pictures, Mazo has built a career defined by creative risk-taking, from producing solo films during the COVID-19 pandemic to bringing his latest short, “Replay,” to theaters across the country.

On this episode of Garden State Greenlight, Mazo discusses the journey behind “Replay,” a three-and-a-half-minute docu-comedy built around real VHS footage of his appearance on a New Jersey public-access chess show at age 12. The film went on to screen at major festivals, including Palm Springs International ShortFest and the Calgary International Film Festival, where it won the Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary Short.

“Replay” later secured nationwide theatrical distribution through Spotlight Cinema Networks, screening before feature films at hundreds of art-house and luxury theaters — a rare achievement for a short film.

The conversation also explores Mazo’s path as an independent creator, his New Jersey State Council on the Arts fellowship, the challenges of running a small production company and the broader question of what independent filmmakers need to thrive in New Jersey’s growing film ecosystem.

For Mazo, the answer starts with the work itself.

“You have to create your own opportunities,” he said. “And you do that by doing the work.”

New Jersey’s film and television industry is undergoing a major transformation, fueled by expanded tax incentives, growing studio infrastructure and a renewed effort to make the state a long-term home for productions of all sizes.

Few people have witnessed that evolution more closely than David Schoner, senior advisor to the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission. Having spent decades helping productions navigate the state’s resources, Schoner has seen New Jersey transform from a filming location into a rapidly expanding production hub.

On the first episode of Garden State Greenlight, Schoner discusses the factors behind the state’s growth, from its diverse locations and skilled workforce to its concierge-style approach to supporting productions. The conversation also explores the impact of major studio investments, including Netflix, Lionsgate and 1888 Studios, and what their arrival means for the future of the industry.

Beyond large-scale productions, Schoner emphasizes the importance of supporting independent filmmakers, local businesses and the next generation of film workers. The episode examines the resources available to New Jersey creatives, including workforce development programs and the state’s NJ 411 production directory.

Drawing from his own experience as a filmmaker and producer, Schoner also reflects on the importance of relationships, finding a creative voice and building a sustainable career in the entertainment industry.

As New Jersey continues to expand its film footprint, Schoner believes the state’s greatest strength is its ability to support everyone from major studios to first-time filmmakers — helping creators build careers close to home.