NJ Hosts "The Best Man: The Final Chapters"
The latest installment of The Best Man franchise returned to New Jersey for the filming of its conclusion. The Best Man: The Final Chapters, a recently debuted eight-episode series on Peacock, which brings viewers up-to-date on the lives of its endearing characters Lance (Morris Chestnut), Shelby (Melissa De Sousa), Harper (Taye Diggs), Candy (Regina Hall), Quentin (Terrence Howard), Robyn (Sanaa Lathan), Jordan (Nia Long), and Julian (Harold Perrineau). Relationships evolve and past grievances resurface in the unpredictable stages of midlife crisis meets midlife renaissance. Produced by Universal Television, the limited dramedy series is written and executive produced by original creator and writer Malcolm D. Lee and Dayna Lynne.

The original Universal feature The Best Man (1999) was partially filmed on location in Alpine and Secaucus. The Final Chapters shot in Alpine once again and on many other New Jersey locations including the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, W Hotel in Hoboken, Montgomery Street in Jersey City, Military Park in Newark, Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, Glenpointe East in Teaneck, Montclair State University and Fairleigh Dickinson University, and at Palisade Stages in Kearny.

Universal Television took advantage of New Jersey’s Film & Digital Media Tax Credit Program in the production of this series. The Tax Credit Program offers eligible production companies up to 35% transferable tax credit on qualified film production expenses, plus an additional 2%-4% diversity bonus for qualified productions.

Universal Television reported hiring 150 cast and crew members for the filming of The Best Man: The Final Chapters, spending over $45 million in New Jersey for labor, goods, and services according to David Smith, vice chairman of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.

Cherokee Nation Film Office Tabs 1st TV Apprentice
The Cherokee Nation Film Office (CNFO), headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has named Echota Killsnight as its first television apprentice. In fulfilling the new position, Killsnight learned firsthand from award-winning director John Hillcoat while working on the set of the biopic TV series George and Tammy which chronicles the life and marriage of country music legends Tammy Wynette and George Jones. The limited series premiered on Showtime and the Paramount Network last month.

“As artists and filmmakers, I have always believed that the most incredible privilege that even a modicum of success affords us is the ability to hold the ‘door’ open for those who decide to walk this path. I have remained forever thankful to those filmmakers who have helped me on my journey,” said Hillcoat. “CNFO graciously provided me the opportunity to fulfill this obligation to upcoming talent when I had the pleasure and privilege of mentoring Echota. I am grateful to share what knowledge I can with someone as passionate as he is and I look forward to helping future talents within the Cherokee Nation and other tribes.”

The apprenticeship took place in North Carolina where the series was filmed. Through CNFO’s new mentorship program, the opportunity was made available to citizens of any federally recognized tribe with previous experience in the film and television industry, and Killsnight participated at no expense.

Killsnight’s film and television career began in 2015 and includes projects such as 2016’s Big Sister Rug, which earned a Rocky Mountain Emmy Award in cinematography. The filmmaker is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in cinematic arts and technology at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

"Dark Winds" Blows Into New Mexico
New Mexico Film Office director Amber Dodson announced that the series Dark Winds began principal photography in November and will continue through 2023 in and around Santa Fe and Tesuque Pueblo.

Directed by Betsy Burke, produced by Robert Redford, George R.R. Martin and Vince Calandra, and starring Zahn McClarnon. Dark Winds is based on the iconic book series, “Iconic Leaphorn & Chee,” by Tony Hillerman. Set in the 1970s on a remote outpost of the Navajo Nation, Dark Winds tells the story of Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Deputy Chee as they uncover crimes and mysteries, not only in work, but also within themselves.

The AMC and AMC+ show will employ 18 New Mexico crew members, 10 background/extras, and 5 New Mexico principal actors.