Keystone Studios Brings Filmmaking Back East

The Exciting, Emerging High-Tech Production Powerhouse

Once upon a time, the East Coast was the heart of film production. But in the early 20th century, filmmaking migrated to California — seemingly for good. Now a new upcoming production facility is ready to rewrite history, or at least, change the future.

Commercial real estate advisory and investment firm Keystone Commercial LLC — along with a prestigious team of investors and partners — is thrilled to announce the inception of Keystone Studios, a state-of-the-art, 500,000 square foot production powerhouse. This full-service facility is primed to become a major hub of innovation and creativity for the region’s burgeoning TV and film sector, harnessing the significant advantages offered by New Jersey’s TV & Film Tax Incentive.

In the Beginning

But let’s take a quick peek back in time — we all know that New York City is already a hub of creativity and talent. So why is Hollywood in California? In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the East Coast — especially New York City and surrounding areas — was the cradle of the nascent filmmaking industry. It was a time of experimentation and enlightenment, with inventors and entrepreneurs such as Thomas Edison and the Lumière brothers contributing to the development of motion picture technology.

The East Coast’s bustling urban environments, diverse populations, and rich cultural scenes provided ample content for early films, which were primarily short, silent features. Studios like Edison’s Black Maria in New Jersey were among the first to produce these films; they capitalized on the region’s industrial infrastructure and concentrated talent pool.

Moving West

As the industry evolved, filmmakers began seeking more favorable conditions for production, leading to the gradual westward shift toward California in the early 20th century. California offered a more favorable climate with ample sunshine and a wide range of landscapes, allowing year-round filming and the ability to shoot a variety of settings in close proximity.

And it was far away from the Edison Trust in New York, which held patents on the motion picture technology of the time and aggressively pursued royalties. California provided filmmakers with more creative and financial freedom. Los Angeles became popular due to its combination of wide-open spaces, cheap land, and the budding infrastructure to support the growing industry. This shift was solidified as Hollywood established itself as the heart of the movie industry, drawing in talent and investment from across the country and around the world.

A New Paradigm

Now, the days of the Edison Trust are long behind us, and the East Coast is wide open for film and television production. Designs for Keystone Studios have dropped — and the industry is already buzzing. Nothing like this exists outside of California yet, and Keystone is anticipated to change the future of film.

The new powerhouse facility will leverage the rich tapestry of resources available in the NY/NJ area. Its proximity to New York City and the wider Tri-State area provides unparalleled access to a deep pool of talent, cutting-edge technical expertise, and a wealth of logistical conveniences. These include easy access to major airports and a wide array of shooting locations, from urban backdrops to picturesque landscapes, making it an ideal area for a wide range of production needs.

The facility is designed with the modern content creator in mind, offering comprehensive in-house production services that cater to an extensive variety of projects. Keystone supports feature films, scripted TV series, reality shows, e-sports competitions, immersive XR experiences, live streaming events, even commercial shoots.

And Keystone Studios is equipped to handle them all. This versatility is significantly augmented by New Jersey’s attractive TV, Film & Digital Tax Incentive, which offers substantial financial benefits to productions choosing to film within the state. The incentive provides tax credits of up to 30–35% of qualified production expenses, depending on the location within New Jersey.

Unleashing Creativity in Premier Production Spaces

“Keystone Studios is designed to inspire creativity, and operated to empower production,” states Brian Edwards, Studio Executive, a key partner on the project. He refers to the studio’s innovative design, which integrates cutting-edge technology and flexible spaces to support the dynamic needs of today’s filmmakers and production teams. These areas include pre-production planning rooms, modern sound stages, advanced post-production facilities, and versatile backlot areas. Every aspect of Keystone Studios is tailored to enhance efficiency and boost creative expression.

Ted Harbert, a television industry veteran and advisory board member at Keystone Studios, says, “The demand for quality stage space is higher than ever. Keystone Studios will be an incredible, state-of-the-art facility that will offer everything a production needs from start to finish.”

Content consumption patterns have evolved and the appetite for diverse, high-quality content continues to grow. Thus the need for facilities that can accommodate the breadth and depth of this demand becomes critical. Keystone Studios steps into this gap as a premier destination, with a premier physical space along with technological infrastructure and support services that modern productions require.

A New Center of Economic & Creative Activity

Keystone Studios will also boost economic and creative activity in the region. The studio is expected to entice all manner of productions, and will generate significant employment opportunities while stimulating ancillary businesses and services in the surrounding area.

The influx of projects taking advantage of the tax incentives and the world-class facilities at Keystone Studios will contribute to the vibrant cultural tapestry of New Jersey, enriching the state’s entertainment landscape.

“I believe that New Jersey will surpass New York as the leading destination for productions,” says CEO and founder Abe Bose. “And it will be because of Keystone Studios, aided by the New Jersey tax incentive program.”

Keystone will become much more than a space for production — it will be a comprehensive solution that offers end-to-end support for projects, thereby setting a new standard in the industry.

Learn more: https://www.keystonestudiosnj.com

Invest in the future of TV, film, and digital media! Contact: abose@keystone-commercial.com