Perth Amboy was abuzz with excitement that movie star Cameron Diaz was in town filming the movie Bad Day on Smith St. Smith St is such a cool location for filming with old school storefronts, ungentrified and very walkable.

Filmmaking in Perth Amboy has become more common with many excellent locations to shoot and a community that is film ready to work with the industry. The Bon Jovi documentary Thank You Good Night was filmed in Perth Amboy in parts, and Rose Byrne was filming in Perth Amboy for the film Tow.

Ghost Hunters used to film their shows at Proprietary House, which is an excellent location for historic pieces, being the last standing Royal Governors Mansion on Kearny Ave. The Proprietary House was also where Ken Burns filmed for his documentary on Ben Franklin. Ben Franklin’s son was the Royal Gov of NJ. The father and son fought often over the revolution and William Franklin was ultimately arrested there for being a loyalist tory.

Hopefully the industry will explore other locations, like the waterfront, the historic sites (City Hall the oldest operating administrative building in the country) the bridges or the restaurants and people of the City who bring this vibrant Latino community to life. Also, the community hopes to create pathways for apprenticeships to work in the industry.

Perth Amboy is very picturesque. Check it out.

Photos by Cody Vazquez, Alma Benadives, Caroline Pozycki, Monish Anoop