The End of New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission

Is the Governor selling out New Jersey’s film and television industry? New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was “On the Line” on NJTV Thursday, March 2 and despite pleas from the host to call in, all we got was a recording saying they are not accepting any more calls at this time; therefore, I was unable to ask my question.

The questions put forth were eloquent and real concerns for the people of New Jersey. For the most part, Christie answered them in a rehearsed way making sure incendiary political jabs were placed with emphasis. His steady gaze kept reverting to the camera in an effort to connect with the audience. Make no mistake, Christie is well trained in media presentation. It made me laugh when he emphasized there is not need for New Jersey to own a public television station. He didn’t even give a New Jersey-owned company an opportunity to buy it, but sold it to New York. Hey, he said smiling, taxpayers aren’t paying for it anymore. Uh, so NJTV is owned by a New York company, is that a better way to save money? It’s the Governor’s way.

My question was emailed in but not acknowledged so here goes: Fifteen years ago, Triple Five developers group tried to sell the American Dream Mall concept to Downtown Silver Spring promising themed rooms, a wavepool and other extravagant nonsense that would only incur more traffic congestion and disappointing attendance. The residents responded with an emphatic “NO” and Triple Five packed their bags looking for another sucker to sell their Brooklyn Bridge. Governor, please EXPLAIN how just another shopping mall will boost jobs in a depressed economy with low paying, dead end retail positions for college graduates instead of the Jobs creation Act with a film and digital media tax credit that was passed by the Senate and Assembly and VETOED twice by yourself, SO can giving over potentially billion dollars in tax credits to developers like Triple Five and companies like Prudential Financial for new business offices be better than supporting a billion dollar industry that can provide jobs and revenue to New Jersey, historically the birthplace of the motion picture industry? AND WHY, oh, why merge the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Industry with the New Jersey Sports Authority.

The week before, there was an announcement that Christie plans to merge the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission with the Sports Authority. Uh, where’s the logic in this? Other than there are at least twenty-two ESPN Sports stations and the Governor is all hot about attracting tourism through the Formula-One races and Super Bowl. Yeah. I think I heard he plans to merge the Tourism department with the Sport Authority as well. Put your eggs in one basket– now that’s a plan. But is it good for New Jersey? New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission Executive Director Steve Gorelick thinks merging with the Sports Authority might be a good thing. At least his office would remain in Newark and not in some back room in Trenton. Then again, Mr. Gorelick serves on the advisory board of the New Jersey Hall of Fame which originally was the New Jersey sport Hall of Fame, so it’s all in the family, right?