The song I'd like to be in the credits . . .

If you don't know . . . when a film buys the rights to a song for the opening or closing credits to a film, it usually costs more money. We will be posting some of the amazing bands whose music will be featured in the film on this blog.

But for now, my wish list for the ending credits goes to this song.

I tried to find a Bon Jovi song that was a real gem, something that hasn't been played out and something where people will wonder, "Wow, how did I miss that one?" Click on the play device on the right hand side of the web page to play the track.

If the band gets and unusual increase in downloads to this song on itunes, zune, napster or any of the other licensed music sites, we can make a strong case to the publishing and record company, but more realistically - the band - to give us a reduced price. Oh yeah, if anyone knows any members of the band, we would be happy to give them our rough cut. I think the film will speak for itself.

New Jersey: the Movie wins its first award

New Jersey: the Movie took home the honors of, "Home State Award" as selected by the jury and audience at the Wildwood by the Sea Film Festival for top film. We thank them very much!!


Also I saw a great quote on Jen A. Miller's Shore blog today:

"Central Jersey" is a mythical, mysterious, undefined beast. Like Bigfoot."

My favorite time of year for sports

October is approaching. I get to enjoy Phillies' playoff baseball and Devils' hockey. These are two videos I enjoyed, chances are you will like one of them. And if you hate both? Well, that means your a Ranger fan . . and the River is due east, buddy.

Two reviews - from opposite corners

Well, we have two reviews of the film from writers at the exact polar opposites of the state: Bergen County and Cape May County.

Here is the Bergen article
Here is the Cape May one
I thank Jim Vanore from the Cape May County Herald and John Stoles from the Leader of the Meadowlands for talking to me and writing the reviews. I also like reading their different point of view. You have to keep in mind the audience they are writing to . . . and you'll see their North - South differences!

Cuts of the film showing THIS WEEK!

A short version of New Jersey: the Movie will be showing this week at the following film festivals:

Friday Sept. 26th - Wildwood by the Sea Film Festival - Wildwood Convention Center - Wildwood, NJ - 1pm

Saturday Sept. 27th -

Reel Jersey Film Festival sponsored by Weird NJ - Williams Center for the Arts - Rutherford, NJ - 3:30pm

ENCORE: Sat. Sept. 27th - Wildwood by the Sea Film Festival - Wildwood Convention Center - Wildwood, NJ - 1pm

1210am podcast - the line revealed!

You can listen to our podcast from our screening with 1210am - the Big Talker here.  The line is revealed!  But you'll have to see the film for details. . .

Mercer county is South Jersey!! ??

They did it at wikipedia again. Someone re-edited the site and now there is a map that clearly puts Mercer County in South Jersey. . . even though every resident I interviewed there clung to the "Central" banner.

And how can you put a county where you can literally see the NYC skyline (Union) in Central Jersey?

I don't necessarily deny Central Jersey - I just thought for our documentary we could lean every place in "Central Jersey" to the North or South.

Example:

"The City" for you is:

A) New York City
B) Philadelphia

A) Makes you more north
B) Makes you more south

End of story . . but hey, anyone can edit wikipedia . . be my guest.

The Line revealed!

Well . . . not quite yet, though we did show it at Ponzio's last night sponsored by 1210am - The Big Talker.  Thanks again to Dr. Mazz and his wife, Clinton and Ed and the rest of the 1210 crew who made last night happen.

But, I am willing to give more details about how the line came about by having you look at a map below.

This map compares the current divide amongst sports teams in red  (Philly) and blue (NY/ NJ), to the first line dividing New Jersey called the Keith Line which was not north and south, but EAST and WEST.  

Well before it became a state, in colonial times, New Jersey was divided.  There was an East Jersey and a West Jersey.  And the first line drawn by Surveyor General George Keith, only made it up 2/3 of the way before we realized he drifted too far west and stopped near the Raritan River branches.  The line in black represents that line and continues west, if Keith had finished it.   Just look how that original line, which still demarcates the borders between Ocean and Burlington, western Monmouth and western Somerset, matches the Sports' loyalty line.  From 1686 to 2008, it is amazing how little some cultural things have changed.

Buckets of rain . . buckets of tears . . .

If you remember this post, you will see that all of us here at New Jersey: the movie have fallen on dire economic times. We asked some of you to give and some of you have, including: Kenneth Kolanko and Louise Bolge. Thank you!

Sometimes, it is amazing how independent film even gets made. Again we are hoping the film speaks for itself. . . and the positive reviews will role in, and then someone (maybe a studio?) will make us an offer. But future hopes don't pay the present bills.

Andrei got a new apt. . . (but not a new paycheck . . . and you'll bet that I'm stalling as long as humanly possible) and they sent me this pic via cellphone that I thought was classic.

They're still unpacking stuff during a raining day which I'm sure is putting us all down. The worst for me is that the Mets - Phillies' game was postponed!

OK, I'm done begging for money in future posts. But we do hope that you will come and see for yourself anyway and make it your call . . . . I can't wait for Tuesday!

1210am sponsored screening - Cherry Hill - SOLD OUT!

We are SOLD OUT for this Tuesday's screening in Cherry Hill. If you look at the post below - we don't see a dime of the ticket purchases - it is all about exposure at this point. . . and we thank 1210am the Big Talker for their exposure of our film.

The next screenings:

Wildwood by the Sea Film Fest - two screenings -

Fri. Sept. 26th - Time and place TBA

Sat. Sept. 27th - 1pm - Wildwood Convention Center - Venue 4 - Wildwood, NJ

For Wildwood - you can purchase tickets by calling the number here.

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Reel Jersey Film Festival - Williams Center - cinema 2 - Rutherford, NJ - 3:30pm - Sat. Sept. 27th

For the Reel Fest - You can purchase tickets via paypal here - then select individual event ticket option - if that's all you want to see. You can call the numbers on their website for more info.

My friends and colleagues: Andrei and Alena

The time is coming. With 3 screenings this month - we are wrapping it up here at New Jersey: the Movie. And I would like to take this blog entry, to give a shout out to my two colleagues (and friends) Andrei and Alena.

They have endured two straight near sleepless weeks putting their touches on the film and finishing our New Jersey cut to have it ready at an earlier time than any of us thought. Andrei even moved apartments yesterday and is busy trying to setup his new station to finish the magic touches this weekend. . . all while Alena helps out and remains the guiding force of this project. That's dedication.

The first cut is a 27 - 32 minute cut geared toward the people of New Jersey. A more general cut is being made for non-New Jerseyans . . . and if someone or company would like to buy and mass distribute the film in theaters and DVD (after they see it for themselves) in my perfect world - it will have to be one and a half - two hours to accurately fit in everything I would like. In a perfect world . . .

A little bit about them:

Andrei is Russian and is originally from Kazakhstan (yes, the same country as Borat). . . and, yes, he loves to say, "very nice." He is a graduate of Temple film school and had a very popular blog, My Life with Bad English, that got critical acclaim. Clicking on this post for instance - will show you how Andrei dreamed of coming to America ever since he was a child. And Andrei has fulfilled his dream by recently becoming a US citizen. He gets home from work everyday and uses his free time to edit this film. The little that I have been able to fundraise to pay him - is not really what he is worth. . . but he takes it with the knowledge that he is working on something big here at NJ: the movie.

Alena is also Russian, and a former roommate of mine from the Jersey Shore. When I found out she was a "media criticism" (I think) major originally I laughed, because if you know Alena - she is very opinionated about everything . . but possess the knowledge about a lot to back it up too. She is also a graduate of Temple film school and has worked for free, for the past year. . . again hoping that this project was worth it. When Andrei and I complain (it happens a lot), we complain to her. She takes it all in and still micromanages everything. She is the great - but will probably read this post and be mad that I left something out . . . but she still demands the best.

You can come down to Ponzio's in Cherry Hill on Tues. Sept. 9th at 7pm to meet us and see what we've done. It will be sponsored by 1210am - The Big Talker. We will hopefully be selling our awesome t-shirts and we will (I'm warning you) also be looking for any donations.

Your money goes to copyright lawyer fees, trying to get copyright clearances and film festival fees. . . and of course paying Andrei a little more for what he is worth. How could it be a film about New Jersey without Bon Jovi music? Or Bruce? If we can clear it all - it's in. If we can't afford to - Andrei will find something - but it won't be the same. Right now is a critical time for what will actually be able to be in this film. . . there are many other bands who have music too and must get proper credit, and they will be featured on future posts.

We are definitely at a pivotal time. You can even still donate and guarantee your name will be in the film. It is paypal secured. There is more too: CLICK TO SEE. It is the least we can do for you - for helping us make an enjoyable ode to our state. . .that we hope can be enjoyed by all, have parties thrown around and even used in the classroom.

But I invite you to come and see for yourself. Tuesday - 7pm - Cherry Hill will be the first of many screenings. . . you can meet us and we'd love to know that you are reading this blog too. And if you want to throw us a couple bucks, so I can keep what is left of my savings account and stop eating ramen noodles (it has been dinner the past two nights) it would be very welcome. Thanks to all of you for reading!

September at the Shore

Just because "the unofficial end of summer" is now over, doesn't mean that it is reason to stop enjoying the Jersey Shore. Each town usually offers something unique until the end of October.

There is LBI's Chowderfest for one.

Also, did you know that I have been editing videos about the South Jersey Shore for author, Jen A. Miller? It was all shot in one long day to complement her book, The Jersey Shore: Atlantic City to Cape May.

She has her reasons for not including LBI. (I will point out that South Jersey Magazine doesn't include any of Ocean County in its publishings).

The last video, about Cape May, will be posted on her blog by mid-September. Below is the latest one - but remember - I'm not a professional editor . . . I just did her a favor because she did many for us and the film! Thanks again Jen! Buy her book!