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Film crew seeks extended shoot in Glen Ridge; council raises drone and replica-weapon concerns
Summary
A film production team outlined plans for a multi-day shoot on Ridgewood Avenue that would exceed the borough's standard location/day limits and said it will seek waivers; councilors and residents raised questions about drone use, replica weapons in public view and neighbor impacts.
Representatives from a film production presented plans to the Glen Ridge Mayor and Council for a proposed shoot on Ridgewood Avenue that would exceed the borough’s usual ordinance limits for location and days, and said they intend to request waivers.
The presenters described a five-consecutive-day principal shoot Monday–Friday with additional preparation days on site and one split day extending into the evening for a nighttime sequence. One presenter said, “Our filming period is five consecutive days... we would have five days of preparation on the property” and that the crew plans neighbor outreach and small goodwill donations to ease impacts. The production said pilots for drone shots are FAA-licensed and insured and that they will take safety precautions; “we're fully FAA licensed and insured,” one presenter said.
Council members asked logistical questions about start dates and the waiver process; the presiding officer noted that if the application requires council action there is time before the proposed August 31 start. Councilors also emphasized limits on use of public buildings for filming and the need to avoid repeated disruption of the same neighborhood: one councilor said the ordinance aims to prevent repeated commercial shoots from creating ongoing inconvenience for neighbors.
Residents and councilors raised concerns about nighttime shooting and imagery: one councilor asked whether the evening sequence was a true nighttime shoot, and another asked about replica weapons that might appear in public view. The presenters said the scene as described would show a lead character driving home and that the production would avoid large, high-intensity “helium” lights; they said smaller lights and blackout measures would be used to limit impacts.
Presenters said they will return with a more detailed plan and noted they prefer to work with neighbors in advance. The council welcomed the courtesy of early outreach and asked the production to clarify dates, staging, and any requested waivers when they return.
