As Hollywood and Netflix Flock to NJ, More Hotels Like the Molly Pitcher Inn Are Needed to Accommodate Film Crews

**Molly Pitcher Inn in High Demand as Hollywood Descends on the Jersey Shore**

**RED BANK** – When the cast and crew of the Netflix thriller *The Beast in Me* arrived at the Molly Pitcher Inn for a four-day shoot last month, the hotel’s staff had to spring into action.

The team reserved 23 guest rooms, handed over the dining room for filming, and remained tight-lipped about whether the show’s star and executive producer, Claire Danes, was staying at the hotel. “We can’t disclose who’s here or not, and that applies to all our guests,” said Kevin Barry, operations manager for the Molly Pitcher Inn and its sister property, the Oyster Point Hotel.

Both Red Bank hotels have been capitalizing on New Jersey’s booming film industry, frequently booking rooms and offering their spaces for production shoots. The state’s film sector has been growing rapidly, thanks to generous tax incentives, and is expected to continue its upward trajectory. Notably, Netflix is planning to build an $850 million studio on the site of the former Fort Monmouth.

Barry and his team have had to make quick decisions to accommodate production needs, such as removing ceiling tiles to fit equipment. Despite the challenges, Barry noted that film crews have been polite, efficient, and laid-back, providing a welcome boost to the hotel during slower periods.

However, the increasing demand from the film industry has raised concerns about whether the Jersey Shore has enough hotel rooms to meet the needs of production companies. Joe Barris, Monmouth County’s planning director and a liaison to the film industry, has received numerous calls from location scouts looking for unique settings, from woodsy areas to vintage 1950s-style locations. He believes the market will naturally respond to the growing demand for accommodations.

While the Jersey Shore is traditionally known for vacation rentals rather than luxury hotels, the Molly Pitcher Inn, with its 106 rooms, and the more modern 56-room Oyster Point Hotel, are stepping in to fill the gap. Both hotels, which overlook the Navesink River, have hosted three major film productions in the past two years: *Miranda’s Victim*, *Mean Girls*, and *The Beast in Me*.

Barry explained that the hotel is a natural fit for the entertainment industry, having hosted celebrities performing at venues like the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel and the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. The staff is adept at handling last-minute requests and unforeseen circumstances, such as ensuring actors can exit through back doors or keeping the noise level down during filming.

The Jersey Shore is becoming increasingly accustomed to the hustle and bustle of film productions. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and state lawmakers have introduced tax credits of up to 40% for digital media companies working in the state, aiming to attract out-of-state productions that will spend money at local hotels, restaurants, and other businesses.

The tax incentives have already drawn a number of high-profile productions to Monmouth County, including *Severance*, an Apple TV show directed by Ben Stiller that was partly filmed at Bell Works in Holmdel, and *The 4:30 Movie*, directed by Kevin Smith and shot in Atlantic Highlands.

However, finding enough local accommodations remains a challenge for producers. Ernie O’Donnell, executive producer of *The 4:30 Movie* and a longtime collaborator of Kevin Smith, said that filmmakers often have to piece together hotel rooms and Airbnbs for crew members flying in from Los Angeles and Atlanta. For *Clerks III*, the crew stayed at the Extended Stay in Middletown and the Best Western in Hazlet. While this arrangement worked for the crew, O’Donnell joked that he couldn’t imagine a star like Claire Danes staying at a budget motel.

Looking ahead, O’Donnell predicted that the demand for accommodations will skyrocket once Netflix’s Fort Monmouth studio is fully operational. “In five years, when Netflix is here, it’s going to be an explosion,” he said. “There’s definitely a need for more places to stay.”

To support the growing film industry, the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission has launched a certification program called Film Ready, which helps municipalities prepare for film productions by designating a point person, adopting a permit process, and identifying potential filming locations and resources, including local hotels.

While the commission reported that the television and film industry spent more than $650 million in New Jersey in 2022, it’s unclear how many hotel rooms have been booked or will be needed in the future.

New hotels are part of the region’s long-term plan. Fort Monmouth’s redevelopment blueprint allows for two hotels: one that Netflix can build on its parcel and another that developer Michael Abboud can create by redeveloping Allison Hall into a hotel as part of the RiverWalk Center project.

Elsewhere, Ralph Zucker, CEO of Inspired by Somerset, which owns Bell Works in Holmdel, had initially planned to build a 200-room boutique hotel on the building’s rooftop. However, the project was shelved during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Zucker remains unsure whether the local economy can support such a venture. He noted that the film industry has expressed interest in having a high-quality hotel closer to Bell Works.

For now, the Molly Pitcher Inn continues to be a go-to spot for film productions. While Barry declined to comment on whether Ben Stiller and his *Severance* team stayed there, the hotel did host *The Beast in Me* for three days in September. The production took over 23 rooms and used the dining room, ballroom, bar, and promenade wing for filming.

“They have the budget to make things work smoothly, which is great for us,” Barry said. “We’ve had to turn down some productions because we’re busy with weddings or corporate events, but when everything aligns, it’s a win-win.”

**Michael L. Diamond** is a business reporter for the Asbury Park Press. He has been covering the New Jersey economy and healthcare industry since 1999. You can reach him at mdiamond@gannettnj.com.

Source: app.com

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