Paramount’s Big Move to New Jersey: How Bayonne Became Hollywood’s Next Backlot

Summary: Paramount signed a 10-year lease for 285,000+ sq ft at the new 1888 Studios campus in Bayonne, NJ—a milestone that accelerates New Jersey’s rise as a top-tier production hub. Here’s what this means for filmmakers, brands, and the local economy.

Lights, Camera, Bayonne

New Jersey isn’t just “across the river” anymore. With Paramount securing a long-term footprint at 1888 Studios on Bayonne’s waterfront, the Garden State is locking in real studio-scale production capacity minutes from Manhattan. For brands and agencies, that translates to cinematic capability without Manhattan overhead.

What Is 1888 Studios?

1888 Studios is a purpose-built, campus-style facility designed for modern film and TV:

• 23 state-of-the-art smart stages (approx. 18,000–60,000 sq ft each)

• 40–50 ft clear heights to grid and catwalks

• Massive power delivery designed for LED volume and large-format productions

• Production offices, post facilities, mill/wardrobe, support spaces

• Waterfront campus with direct access to the metro area

This is the largest campus of its kind in New Jersey and among the largest on the East Coast—precisely the kind of scale that attracts studio clients and big campaigns.

Why Paramount Chose New Jersey

Incentives + proximity + infrastructure.
New Jersey’s Film & Digital Media Tax Credit Program offers 30–40% credits on qualified spend (with a Studio Partner framework for anchor tenants). Combined with access to New York talent pools, diverse locations, and improving studio infrastructure, New Jersey is now a cost-smart alternative for premium work.

The Ripple Effect: Real Estate, Jobs, Local Spend

Paramount’s move is a catalyst for the broader economy:

• Commercial/industrial real estate: Demand for stage, mill, and storage space rises across Hudson County (Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken) and Newark.

• Vendors: Construction, scenic, lighting & grip, catering, transport, and hotels all benefit from steady production calendars.

• Jobs & training: Camera teams, electrics, art department, post, and production staff see more consistent opportunities.

A Bigger Pattern: New Jersey’s Studio Wave

Paramount isn’t the lone bet. Netflix has broken ground on a $900M studio complex at Fort Monmouth, signalling multi-studio momentum in the state. The result? More stages, more bookings, more incentives—more work.

What This Means for Brands & Agencies

New Jersey now gives you:

• Cinematic scale without NYC price friction

• Location range (urban streets, waterfronts, industrial zones, leafy suburbs—within 30–60 minutes)

• Tax-efficient productions that maximize on-screen value

• Faster permitting and fewer bottlenecks than the busiest NYC corridors

If you want a national-caliber spot, a polished brand film, or social content with real production value, Bayonne and beyond just got very appealing.

Fibs & Tales: Built for This Moment

Fibs & Tales produces story-driven commercial, branded, and narrative work with a cinema-first approach. As New Jersey scales its studio footprint, we’re here to help you leverage the new infrastructure—from creative development and permits to stage bookings, crew, and finishing.

➡️ Learn more about our NJ services and recent work

Watch the Local Perspective

We love this quick local breakdown on how the move impacts real estate and business momentum:

FAQ: Filming in New Jersey (for brands & producers)

Q1) Do my projects qualify for New Jersey’s film & digital media tax credits?
A: Many do, depending on project type, spend, and other eligibility criteria. We’ll advise on the requirements and help structure your production to maximize benefits.

Q2) Is stage availability tight?
A: Demand is rising, but new capacity (e.g., 1888 Studios; Netflix at Fort Monmouth) is coming online. Early holds help secure the stage size and dates you want.

Q3) How close is Bayonne to NYC talent and resources?
A: Very. Bayonne is minutes from Manhattan by car and transit, and Hudson County is well-served by PATH/NJT. NYC crews regularly work in NJ.

Q4) Can Fibs & Tales handle everything end-to-end?
A: Yes—creative, bidding, permits, stage bookings, crew, gear, production, post, and delivery. We streamline the whole pipeline.

Learn more about Fibs and Tales

If you’re exploring production in New Jersey, we’ll help you capture the advantages—cinematic look, smarter budgets, smoother logistics.

Start your NJ project: Work with Fibs & Tales in New Jersey
Or drop us a line at fibsandtales@gmail.com