New project: Garden State Variety

You may have noticed, I've been absent from this blog for a while now. That's because I'm in the process of rounding up some very talented actors and comedians from around New Jersey and am producing a show tentatively called "Garden State Variety." You can like us on Facebook by clicking this link. In Lambertville, Green Birdie Studios, has graciously agreed to host us and we'll be taping two pilot episodes "live" with an audience in mid-May.

The goal is to get sponsors for the show and if that happens: We do a live show every other Friday night. It's been my dream to do something like this since I first watched Uncle Floyd and the Channel 9 Howard Stern shows.

The first pilot episode will be about "stereotypes" where we will tackle many of the NJ reality TV shows. One bit was just filmed in Hoboken on a beautiful Friday evening while people on the street played a game on camera.

Then, we will examine "borders" in pilot two, which readers of this blog will most definitely appreciate. We filmed our first skit already on this and it can be found on my youtube channel:

Cast:

John Minus
John Devendorf
LaTice Mitchell-Klapa
Sam Grillo
Jess Sager
Jess Carpenter
Anand Mehta

Many comedians featured might even be performing near you . . .

Google Maps view of New Jersey: the Movie locations

Here is the map of the locations in the final movie cut. The many deleted scenes locations will be added. Bookmark it now!

View New Jersey: the Movie filming locations in a larger map

Jersey Regional Food Traditions

The food we eat defines us. In, New Jersey, we already have access to some of the best food in the world due to our diverse demographics. Our pizza & bagels are top notch and our ethnic foods are far reaching. However, there are some areas of NJ where the locals swear by a certain food. In Mounmouth County, it's Windmill Hot Dogs, but next door in Mercer, people barely have heard of them. This lead me to come up with a small map showcasing a local area's culinary chains. I've got 5 so far; what would you add to the list?

In the Trenton area, (besides Pork Roll which we've pointed out enough times), DeLorenzo's Tomatoe Pies, are a tradition.

In Monmouth County (and one in Westfield), you have the aforementioned, Windmill Hot Dogs.

In the River towns along Burlington County, you have Boost! Cola, which is like catnip to young residents there.

In Ocean & Monmouth counties, it's Surf Taco (thanks to John and Lisa for the rec).

And it may be a stretch, but if you went to Rutgers, Grease Trucks, are part of your vocabulary.

Keyboard Cat does NOT like corruption!

I don't care WHICH political party you're a member of, I WANT my state back!

Give it to them keyboard cat:





Inspired by Charlie Schmidt: http://charlieschmidt.com/

On NBC 40 this weekend . . . Zip Code Map

I will be taping an interview with author Jen A. Miller today in the Atlantic City Area on NBC 40.

Don't know when it will air, but they will show some of the first clips from our film on the broadcast . . . if you are in the area, check us out!

Also below is a requested "Zip Code map" . . . splitting NJ with zip codes that start with "08" and "07." It is a weird map and I don't know if it proves anything . . . especially since in Middlesex County, it cuts of the "07s" and makes most of Monmouth County "a 07 island" swimming in "08s".

Update I

We have contacted and hope to interview Comcast Cable executives (to see where NYC and Philly news stations overlap in NJ). We also will be able to film at many Sporting Goods' stores (for example to see if they sell more Eagles or Giants' jerseys), and have been honored with a phone call from NJ's prime historian, John T. Cunningham.

We'll also do fun things like see where driving styles and accents differ and try to find "down the Shore" where the term for visitors, Benny (a North Jersey term) and Shoe Bee (a South Jersey term) overlap in the state (hint Ocean County).

Also got permission to film at a Lakewood BlueClaws' game and I am really hoping the Trenton Thunder and Somerset Patriots follow suit (but for now, why not get tickets to see a BlueClaws as a favor for their kindness?)

Finally, I have setup interviews with many mayors of what we considered to be "border towns." Most of the replies came from mayors in Ocean or Monmouth counties. But sadly, noth much yet from Mercer & Hunterdon counties. There must be something out West. In Mercer, you'd think the county I'd most identify with home would show me some love. :( . . but the good news is that there was one, the one we considered most important. Mayor Palmer's office in Trenton has confirmed with me and that city is VERY important to me as I've always considered it my base (as I grew up in Ewing).

An interesting fact is that the Trenton papers: the Trentonian and the Times cover both Philly and NYC sport teams (though on the Trentonian's site is has a main link to allaroundphilly.com . . . interesting). But to shuffle things up a bit the capital city has two minor league teams: The Thunder and the Devils (renamed from the Titans) who are the New York Yankees and New Jersey Devils' minor league affiliates. It may have really changed the dynamic.
I thank Mayor Palmer's office for the call and also hope to get more call backs soon . . . filming starts next month. Stay tuned for many video updates in the next couple weeks.

Where is the dividing line between North and South Jersey? This is a question that matters only to those who live in or near the Garden State, but has been asked quite often, as most residents here do have an opinion on the matter.

So, this summer I (with a film student) will be traveling to all 21 NJ counties to ask people to draw their line on the map and also get their thoughts on camera.

True this has been written about before. But there are still many unanswered questions as of now.

Sometimes, the term, “Central Jersey” will come into the mix . . . appropriately so. But for the sake of this documentary, we are more focused on trying to define ONE geographical boundary rather than two. This is hurtful for me, as someone who grew up near Trenton and always referred to the area as, “Central Jersey” as well. But we can't make this too difficult a task, though it will be handled with care. I come to this project with a good background I believe.

I lived my early years in Woodbury (Gloucester), then grew up most of my schooled life in Ewing (Mercer). After college, I lived in Avalon (Cape May), and Margate City & Somers Point (Atlantic). Then, I moved jobs and lived in Maplewood (Essex) and currently reside in Hoboken (Hudson). All in under 30 years.

I have a theory that sports' loyalties clearly divide the state. I will seek to prove it in with interviews and graphs. Geography is important to me. I have degrees in the humanities and taught history and geography for six years. The truth is that borders have always fascinated me. I am as much of a product of the divided loyalties the state represents as anyone: I am a Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles fan, while I bleed red and black for the New Jersey Devils. I probably even hate the Flyers more than the Devils’ traditional rival, the New York Rangers. People ask me how I can do that all the time, but it is all that I have known.

So the project will involve me and my very creative friend, Helen, who is a film student at Temple, shooting this documentary, compiling statistics, blogging and vlogging in all 21 counties of New Jersey of the next couple of months.

We hope to release the full film in the spring of 2008. Love to hear people's comments . . . but I must say, unless you live or grew up in the area . . . you won't care. If you did, this is a very important question.