Our community got a taste of Hollywood magic last year, and now Cape May County officials want to make it easier for filmmakers to return. The county is formally seeking Film Ready designation from the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, a move that could transform our beaches, historic sites, and charming towns into regular backdrops for major productions.
The push comes after acclaimed director Steven Spielberg chose Cape May County locations for his sci-fi thriller "Disclosure Day," which hit theaters on June 12. The production used the Cape May Seashore Lines railroad tracks through Woodbine and Upper Township in Cape May County and Buena Vista Township in Atlantic County for action sequences, generating an estimated $34 million in economic impact during 23 days of filming across six New Jersey counties, according to the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.
For tiny Woodbine, the experience was transformative. Mayor William Pikolycky estimated that about 150 production crew members occupied a former book factory in town during filming. The ripple effects touched every corner of the local economy.
"Our stores were doing very well. We were a big player in all of this," Pikolycky said of Woodbine's role in the movie shoot. The crew shopped at local stores, dined in restaurants, and stayed in hotels or condos in neighboring Ocean City, Sea Isle City, and Avalon for months.
Even Woodbine's municipal airport saw unexpected benefits. Pikolycky revealed that Spielberg would often fly into the airport from New York—flights that remained a closely guarded local secret, much like the filming inside the former book factory.
The mayor couldn't resist making a playful request when he presented Spielberg with a ceremonial key to the town during filming. "I told him, any time you want to, you can come back here. But if you're nominated, I want to be invited to the Oscars," Pikolycky said, laughing. He added that Spielberg has a standing invitation to return to Woodbine whenever he wants.
Now county leaders want to build on that success. Cape May County Board of Commissioners Director Leonard Desiderio emphasized the broader potential in a news release: "Becoming Film Ready will open new economic opportunities for Cape May County by making it easier and more attractive for productions to film here. Our beautiful beaches, historic sites, vibrant towns, and supportive business community provide an ideal backdrop for storytelling."
The Film Ready designation would provide certified communities with statewide consistency in permitting, predictable fees, training workshops, and enhanced visibility for productions seeking locations across New Jersey. Beyond the immediate economic impact from spending on lodging, dining, transportation, retail, and professional services, productions also provide powerful promotional exposure to national and international audiences.
"Disclosure Day," starring Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, and Colin Firth, centers on an alien invasion of Earth. For Woodbine and Cape May County, the movie represented something equally transformative—a glimpse of what Hollywood attention can mean for our local economy and our community's profile on the world stage.
"We had a tremendous impact. Obviously, the film was set up in town," Pikolycky said, reflecting on the overall economic benefits for Woodbine. If the Film Ready designation comes through, that impact could become a regular occurrence rather than a one-time Hollywood visit.
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a pop culture junkie and loves to share what's happening in Hollywood and what trends are taking the world by storm.
