About Montclair
Located just 13 miles from the heart of New York City, Montclair is a small metropolitan center full of class and charm. Taking its name from a French word meaning clear mountain, Montclair offers all of the appeal of life in the big city coupled with the nostalgic feel of a small town.
Considered to be a suburban area of the US with an immense cool factor, Montclair is home to everything from incredible restaurants to world-class museums, lots of recreational areas, live entertainment, and even historical attractions to enjoy.
A city full of character and beauty, it is not hard to understand why many directors select a spot in this delightful urban center to do some Montclair filming. Whether your ideal locale is a picture-perfect green space in the great outdoors or a sound stage in one of the city’s unique historic buildings, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in Montclair.
Filming Options in Montclair
There is no question that Montclair filming locations are high in demand. Once you’ve settled on the perfect place for your film shoot, it’s time to find some local professionals to help you get the venue ready for the cameras to roll.
- Security
In order for production to proceed seamlessly at your Montclair filming, it’s a good idea to hire some security to keep distractions from disrupting your set. Since Montclair is located so near to NYC, you’ll have no shortage of top security companies to choose from to keep your cast and crew protected during filming.
- Catering
Ensuring a tasty spread of delicious eats is a great way to keep your staff well-fed and motivated to do their best work during your Montclair filming. There are many top catering companies both in Montclair and nearby NYC that can provide you with everything you need.
- Hair and Makeup
To be certain your cast looks their very best on film, it’s a good idea to hire some of Montclair’s top beauty professionals to provide their services on set. Whether you bring in the leading hairstylists and makeup artists from the Big Apple or hire some local beauty experts with experience, you’ll have an amazing selection of talented professionals to choose from for your filming.
Filming Companies in Montclair
Filming in Montclair can be an invigorating experience, providing the perfect backdrop for your movie, TV show, or commercial. Once you’ve selected the right spot for your film set, it’s time to pull all of the pieces together for an effective film shoot. That’s where some of Montclair’s top professionals can really lend a helping hand.
- Mayhem Solutions Group
Mayhem Solutions Group is a private security company based in Montclair. Offering on-site supervision for film and photo shoots, the security guards at Mayhem Solutions Group are skilled at keeping distractions to a minimum, helping you to keep your film schedule on target and within budget.
- Sal’s Gastronomia
Sal’s Gastronomia is a popular deli and market found in Montclair’s downtown core. Offering both on and off-site catering services for businesses, events, and film and photo shoots, Sal’s Gastronomia has a menu with many options from which you can choose including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian dishes. To bring the freshest flavors to each of their clients, all cuisine prepared by Sal’s Gastronomia is crafted from locally sourced ingredients that are at the peak of their freshness.
- 217 Beauty
217 Beauty is a Montclair beauty salon founded by top-tier makeup artist Liz Gizelle. Formerly employed by MAC Cosmetics, Liz excels at makeup artistry for film and photo shoots, weddings, and other important celebrations. Whether you need hair and makeup pros for just a few or a whole team for 100, this company can handle it.
Pros and Cons of Filming in Montclair
An urban center that is big on both beauty and charm, Montclair is a great place to film a movie, TV show, documentary, or commercial. Still, this small city offers its benefits and its drawbacks when it comes to doing some filming here.
Advantages
- Close-knit community
Those who live, work, and play in Montclair have a very close sense of community. The residents here care deeply about their city and each other.
- Close to NYC
Commuting to and from NYC is a breeze via the New Jersey Midtown Train that provides service to downtown Manhattan several times a day.
- Incredible food scene
Montclair is home to some of the best restaurants in the state. Whatever style of cuisine you desire, you can readily find it here.
Disadvantages
- Very high tax rates
Montclair offers a wonderful standard of living; however, the cost of residing here includes paying among the highest tax rates in the country.
- Moderate crime rate
Montclair’s crime rate is high for a city of its size. However, when compared to neighboring NYC, it is considerably lower.
- Cold winters
Montclair, much like its larger metropolitan counterparts, experiences winters that are very cold, snowy, and wet.
Famous Locations in Montclair
- Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center
The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center is found within Montclair State University. This educational facility pays homage to the career of long-term Montclair resident and baseball player Yogi Berra. Whether you are a baseball fan or not, this museum is not a waste of time.
- Montclair Film Festival
A local film festival held in the city since 2012, the Montclair Film Festival focuses on screening films made by top directors and producers all throughout the world. Each year, this festival attracts thousands of visitors who come to Montclair to enjoy the greater than 80 films on display throughout the city.
- Montclair Art Museum
Opened in 1914, this museum boasts over 12,000 works of art featuring Native American and American pieces. The American collection includes sculptures, photos, and drawings as well as prints, paintings, and media. In the Native American section, you can find jewelry, pottery, weaving, and wood carvings from seven regions of the US.
