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>>> THIS WEEK ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT," CYBERSECURITY CONCERNS.

HOW COMPANIES CAN SECURE THEIR DIGITAL ASSETS FOLLOWING THE COLONIAL PIPELINE HACK.

>>> PLUS, WILL SUMMER COME BACK TO THE SHORE?

NECESSITY RESEARCH ON THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON TOURISM, AND WHAT TO EXPECT THIS YEAR.

>>> AND WE PUT NEW JERSEY'S FILM AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IN FOCUS, INCLUDING WHY MANY MAJOR PRODUCTIONS ARE CHOOSING THE GARDEN STATE FOR THEIR AWARD-WINNING PROJECTS.

THAT'S AHEAD ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

♪ >> THIS IS "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

>> HELLO, I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THANKS FOR JOINING US ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

IF YOU'RE WATCHING ON YOUTUBE, MAKE SURE YOU SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND GET ALERTS WHEN WE POST NEW CRIPS.

FALLOUT AFTER THE COLONIAL PIPELINE THAT RUNS THROUGH NEW JERSEY AND CARRIES HALF OF THE ENTIRE FUEL SUPPLY FOR THE EAST COAST.

THE PIPELINE OPERATIONS WENT DOWN AFTER A CYBERATTACK INTEREST A GROUP CALLED DARKSIDE.

THE FALLOUT WAS ALMOST IMMEDIATE.

GASOLINE SHORTAGES IN THE SOUTH LED TO GAS PRICES TOPPING $3 A GALLON IN NEW JERSEY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WHILE THE PIPELINE'S OPERATOR HAS RESTARTED OPERATIONS, THIS INCIDENT HAS LEFT SOME EXECUTIVES FEARFUL ABOUT WHETHER THEIR COMPANIES COULD BE HIT WITH A CYBERATTACK.

I TALKED WITH RITA GUREVICH, THE CEO OF SPHERE, A HOBOKEN-BASED CYBERSECURITY BUSINESS ABOUT WHY THE NUMBER OF CYBERATTACKS CONTINUES TO RISE, WHO IS VULNERABLE, AND HOW COMPANIES CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES.

>> GENERALLY SPEAKING, HOW PREPARED IS CORPORATE AMERICA TO FEND OFF CYBERSECURITY INCIDENTS?

>> SO RANSOMWARE IS ALMOST THE COVID OF CYBER, ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW.

AND THE ATTACKS ARE COMPROMISING COMPANIES AT PANDEMIC LEVELS AND IT'S EVERYWHERE, RETAIL, HOSPITALITY, FINANCIAL SERVICES, UTILITY BUSINESSES, AS WE'RE AWARE.

AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR COMPANIES TO BE MUCH MORE PROACTIVE THAN THEY'VE EVER BEEN BEFORE.

IF YOU'RE NOT THINKING ABOUT IT NOW, YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN A WORLD OF HURT VERY, VERY SOON.

>> IS IT TYPICALLY LARGER COMPANIES THAT GET TARGETED?

OR SHOULD SMALLER COMPANIES ALSO BE WORRIED ABOUT THIS?

>> DEFINITELY THE LARGER THE COMPANY, THE BIGGER THE FOOTPRINT, THE MORE STAFF.

I THINK THOSE ARE DEFINITELY BIGGER TARGETS, BUT I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD BE AWARE, EVEN OURSELVES.

WE CAN'T UNDERESTIMATE THE FACT THAT THE ATTACKERS ARE SMART, THEY'RE LEVERAGING THE FACT THAT COMPANIES HAVE NOT GONE BACK TO THE BASICS AND IMPLEMENTED SIMPLE THINGS LIKE ACCESS CONTROL AND PROPER SOLUTIONS TO MITIGATE SOME OF THESE RISKS.

DEPENDING ON WHAT INDUSTRY YOU'RE IN, YOU DEFINITELY ARE SUC SUSCEPTIBLE AND VULNERABLE.

AT OUR COMPANY WE'RE AWARE THAT IT'S IN A HACKER'S HAT TO ATTACK AND COMPROMISE A COMPANY JUST AS MUCH AS A LARGER ENTERPRISE ORGANIZATION.

WE OBVIOUSLY SAW THAT WITH SOLAR IMPACT.

>> IT'S A THING FOR COMPANIES TO HAVE SPENT A YEAR TRYING TO SURVIVE A PANDEMIC.

I'M SURE A LOT OF THEM ARE A LITTLE STRAPPED FOR CASH.

AND IT REQUIRES INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY AND SUCH.

I MEAN, THERE'S REALLY NO OTHER WAY AROUND IT.

>> AGREED.

BUT THERE'S ALSO THINGS THAT COMPANIES COULD DO THAT ARE FUNDAMENTAL AND FOUNDATIONAL THAT WOULD REQUIRE A SHIFT IN APPROACH, A SHIFT IN THE WAY THEY OPERATE.

BUT THEY'RE MANAGEABLE AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS.

WE'RE URGING COMPANIES TO GO BACK TO THOSE BASICS, DO THE FUNDAMENTALS LIKE REMOVE OPEN AND EXCESSIVE PERMISSIONS TO YOUR DATA, TO YOUR CRITICAL SYSTEMS.

THESE ARE AGE-OLD PROBLEMS THAT HAVE EXISTED FOR A LONG TIME, BUT THERE ARE SMART HACKERS THAT ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> RITA, SO GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE.

>> PLEASURE.

>> HARD TO BELIEVE WE'RE JUST TWO WEEKS AWAY FROM THE UNOFFICIAL START OF THE SUMMER.

AND MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND COULD BRING CROWDS TO THE SHORE.

AT LEAST THAT WAS THE OPTIMISTIC FORECAST FROM STOCKTON UNIVERSITY'S JERSEY SHORE, WITH THE AN ANNUAL OUTLOOK FOR THE TOURISM SEASON.

THE BUSINESS TOOK A HIT LAST YEAR FROM COVID.

TOURISTS VISITING NEW JERSEY SPENT OVER $29 BILLION, BUT THAT REPRESENTS A DROP OF 37% COMPARED TO THE YEAR BEFORE.

MORE THAN 86 MILLION PEOPLE VISITED NEW JERSEY LAST YEAR, BUT THAT'S A DECLINE OF 27% FROM A RECORD 160 MILLION VISITORS IN 2019.

SO HOW'S THIS YEAR LOOKING?

CAPE MAY TOURISM DIRECTOR DIANE WHEENLD SAYS IT'S PILING.

>> UP WE HOPE WITHIN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS THAT WE CAN REBUILD AND GET BACK TO OUR 2019 NUMBERS.

BUT WE KNOW IT'S A PROCESS AND THAT WE'RE JUST SEEING THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN SOONER RATHER THAN LATER THAT, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET BACK TO WHERE WE WERE IN THE PAST AS FAR AS THE EXPENDITURES AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TOURISM IN THE COUNTY.

>> HOW MANY SPEAKERS AT THAT EVENT BROUGHT UP HOW HARD IT IS TO FIND WORKERS NOW?

WE LEARNED THIS WEEK JUST HOW BAD THE LABOR SHORTAGE REALLY IS.

THE U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT TRACKS THE NUMBER OF JOB OPENINGS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IN MARCH, THERE WERE MORE THAN 8 MILLION JOBS AVAILABLE, AND THAT IS A RECORD.

THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY THIS WEEK APPROVED $1.6 MILLION IN TAX CREDITS FOR THREE COMPANIES THAT BROUGHT THEIR PRODUCTIONS TO NEW JERSEY.

MORE COULD BE ON THE WAY, WE LEARNED THIS WEEK, FROM THE PRESIDENT OF MEET AC.

>> IN THE LAST YEAR WE SAW AN INCREASE OF INTEREST FROM MOVIE PRODUCTION COMPANIES WANTING TO COME IN AND FILM IN ATLANTIC CITY.

IT'S AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR FILMING MAJOR MOTION PICTURES TO MUSIC VIDEOS.

WE'RE FILMING SHORTLY WITH SPORTS ILLUSTRATED HERE IN ATLANTIC CITY.

I MAY HAVE JUST LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG THERE, JUST SO YOU KNOW.

BUT TOO LATE NOW >> BY THE WAY A ZOMBIE HEIST MOVIE CALLED "ARMY OF THE DEAD" IS HITTING THEATERS THIS WEEKEND.

SO WE DECIDED TO PUT THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS IN FOCUS THIS WEEK AS WE LOOK AT EVERYTHING FROM MOVIE PRODUCTIONS, THE MUSIC SCENE AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT VENUES.

KEEP YOUR EYE OUT FOR JERSEY LAND MARKS THE NEXT TIME YOU'RE BINGE WATCHING NETFLIX.

THE MOVIE BUSINESS IS PICKING UP AFTER THE PANDEMIC HALTED PRODUCTIONS LAST YEAR.

THE STATE DOES OFFER TAX CREDITS TO PRODUCTION COMPANIES UNDER THE PROGRAM WHICH IS CAPPED, COMPANIES CAN RECEIVE TAX CREDITS OF 30% TO 35% DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY'RE FILMING.

THERE'S ALSO A 2% BONUS FOR DIVERSITY HIRING.

THESE TAX CREDITS IS SOMETHING THAT'S ALWAYS SUBJECT TO DEBATE BUT WE ARE IN THE INDUSTRY ARE SUPPORTIVE AND BELIEVE IT'S A REASON WHY ENTERTAINMENT IS BOUNCING BACK, AS WE HEARD FROM KENNETH GIFFORD, THE OWNER ASK DIRECTOR OF IRON BOUND FILM AND TELEVISION STUDIOS IN NEWARK.

>> WE ARE OVER A YEAR INTO BUSINESS SLOWDOWNS AND RESTRICTIONS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

CAN YOU REFLECT UPON WHAT YOU SAW IN YOUR INDUSTRY OVER THE PAST YEAR, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, ARE THINGS PICKING UP NOW?

>> DEFINITELY.

OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE PANDEMIC HAS REALLY CAUSED A GREAT DEAL OF -- A LARGE EFFECT ON THE FILM INDUSTRY.

IT SHUT A LOT OF THINGS DOWN AND FORCED A LOT OF PEOPLE INTO SITUATIONS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, AT TIMES UNBEARABLE.

BUT THE GOOD SIDE IS, FILMING, PRODUCTIONS HAVE BEEN PICKING UP DRAMATICALLY.

NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN GETTING A HUGE PUSH AND BOOM IN FILMING SINCE WE STARTED LOWERING THE COVID STANDARDS AND TESTING HAS BECOME REGULAR.

AT THIS POINT PRODUCTIONS HAVE REALLY RISEN A LOT.

>> HOW MUCH ARE THE TAX CREDITS AND OTHER INCENTIVES HELPING FILMMAKERS LOOK AT NEW JERSEY WITH DIFFERENT LIGHT?

>> NEW JERSEY HAS ONE OF, IF NOT THE BEST TAX CREDITS IN THE COUNTRY.

WHEN IT COMES TO OUR TAX CREDITS, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FLOCKING TO NEW JERSEY BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND ARE DEFINITELY COMING BACK NOW BECAUSE OUR TAX CREDITS GIVE YOU A GREAT NUMBER OF ABILITY TO DIFFERENT PRODUCTIONS, YOUR TAX CREDIT, 2% ABOVE AND BELOW THE LINE FOR DIVERSITY.

THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE A GREAT JOB WITH THE TAX CREDITS.

THE NEW JERSEY FILM COMMISSION HAS HELD EVERYTHING TOGETHER, BRINGING IN NEW PRODUCTIONS AND THE CITY OF NEWARK ALONE HAS BEEN SEEING A BOOM BECAUSE OF TAX CREDITS AND MAINLY THE DIVERSITY PART.

>> WHAT SORT OF PRODUCTIONS ARE BEING FILMED IN NEW JERSEY RIGHT NOW?

>> YOU GOT "LAW AND ORDER," YOU HAVE THE EQ"THE EQUALIZER".

THERE'S A MOVIE I CAN'T NAME RIGHT NOW JUST FOR CERTAIN REASONS, BUT IT'S AN A-LIST CELEBRITY THAT EVERYONE WILL BE HAPPY ABOUT.

THERE'S AT LEAST 30 DIFFERENT PRODUCTIONS GOING ON IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW.

>> IT'S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

HOW ABOUT AT YOUR STUDIO IN TERMS OF THE WORKLOAD?

HAVE YOU SINCE HIRED MORE PEOPLE TO COME ON BOARD?

>> WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN BACK TO FULL CAPACITY YET BECAUSE OF COVID.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE SEEN A BIG JUMP IN PRODUCTIONS.

I JUST DID A PRODUCTION WITH ABC DISNEY YESTERDAY FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS.

WE HAVE "PRACTICAL JOKERS" COMING DOWN.

OUR BEST SHOW THAT WE HAD FOR SEVEN YEARS, "INK MASTERS" IS IN TALKS OF COMING BACK.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PRODUCTIONS COMING BACK TO REVISIT THE STUDIO, AND WE HAVE SEEN A LARGE JUMP IN MORE INDEPENDENT FILMS THAN ANYTHING.

SO IT'S THE INDEPENDENT CREATIVES THAT ARE TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CAPITALIZE ON WHAT'S HERE.

>> IT JUST SEEMS LIKE WE'RE SEEING A MOMENTUM THAT IS REALLY TAKING HOLD AT THIS POINT.

>> WELL, LET'S BE CLEAR ABOUT ONE THING.

NEW JERSEY HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE EPICENTER OF FILMING, EDISON CREATING THE CAMERA TO FORT LEE BEING THE FIRST FILM STUDIO.

NEW JERSEY HAS ALWAYS HAD THAT PUSH AND THAT DRIVE.

WITH PLACES LIKE IRON BOUND STUDIOS, NJ PAC, YOU HAVE NEW STUDIOS CURRENTLY BEING BUILT , THAT PUSH AND THAT DRIVE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE AND IT'S GETTING LARGER SIMPLY BECAUSE NEW JERSEY HAS A BETTER DIVERSITY OF ATMOSPHERE, THE SCENERY, THE BUILDINGS, THE CITIES.

WE ARE A GREAT FILMING LOCATION.

THERE'S NO OTHER STATE YOU CAN GO TO THAT WILL GIVE YOU LARGE CITIES, BEACHES, HOTELS, CASINOS, PARKS THE WAY WE DO.

SO OUR CITY, OUR STATE ALONE IS JUST AMAZING WHEN IT COMES TO FILMING.

>> GREAT TO TALK TO YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

>>> WE CONTINUED OUR CONVERSATION ON FILM TAX CREDITS AND MORE WITH STEVEN GORE LICK, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW JERSEY MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION COMMISSION.

WE ASKED HIM TO DROP SOME NAMES, WHAT CELEBS ARE WORKING IN NEW JERSEY.

DON'T BE SURPRISED IF YOU BUMP INTO QUEEN LATIFAH.

WE HAVE SEEN IN NEW JERSEY QUITE A FEW PRODUCTIONS THAT ARE FILMING NOW THIS SPRING.

HOW HAS THE PICKUP IN ACTIVITY BEEN?

>> IT'S BEEN ENORMOUS.

I MEAN, WE ARE REALLY FULLY RECOVERING FROM THE LULL DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN AS YOU KNOW IN 2020, VERY LITTLE PRODUCTION WAS DONE TILL THE VERY END OF THE YEAR.

THE WHOLE INDUSTRY, AS MANY OTHER INDUSTRIES, SHUT DOWN.

BUT WE'RE GOING ALMOST FULL FORCE RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE TELEVISION SHOWS SHOOTING HERE, FEATURE FILMS SHOOTING HERE, AND THE USUAL COMPLEMENT OF COMMERCIAL FILMS, SHORT FILMS.

WE'RE DOING VERY, VERY WELL IN THE -- AND THE FUTURE LOOKS REALLY BRIGHT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS IN THE PLANNING STAGES AT PRESENT.

>> DO TELL.

>> I CAN'T TELL YOU TOO FAR DOWN THE ROAD BECAUSE UNTIL THERE ARE DEFINITES, WE DON'T WANT TO ANNOUNCE THEM.

I BELIEVE YESTERDAY THEY STARTED FILMING "GOOD NIGHT MOMMY" AND THE NEW SHOW WITH QUEEN LATIFAH.

THEY'RE FILMING SEVERAL SEASON 2 EPISODES AND THEN THEY'RE COMING BACK.

IT WAS RENEWED.

THEY'RE COMING BACK IN, I BELIEVE, AUGUST, SO THAT WILL BE SHOOTING HERE.

ALSO FILMING HERE IS "WU TANG: AN AMERICAN SAGA," VERY HIGHLY RATED SERIES, CRITICALLY K ACCLAIMED SO THAT'S HAPPENING.

>> LET ME JUMP IN BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT GOING ON, AS YOU JUST SHARED WITH US.

WHAT IS ATTRACTING EVERYONE TO NEW JERSEY?

IS IT THOSE FILM TAX CREDITS?

OR IS THAT JUST ONE ELEMENT OF THE STORY?

>> IT'S DEFINITELY ONE ELEMENT, BUT IT'S A HUGE ELEMENT.

THERE'S NO QUESTION.

WHAT IS TRADITIONALLY ATTRACTED PEOPLE, EVEN BEFORE THE TAX CREDIT OR INCENTIVE BECAME BIG IN AMERICA AND NORTH AMERICA, NEW JERSEY HAD A LOT OF ADVANTAGES TO OFFER.

I MEAN, WE ARE DESIGNED FOR FILM PRODUCTION, REALLY.

IF YOU LOOK AT OUR GEOGRAPHY, THE VARIETY OF LANDSCAPES THAT YOU CAN FIND HERE IS INCREDIBLE.

THEY'RE ALL VERY CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER, SO YOU CAN TRAVEL MINUTES INSTEAD OF HOURS TO GET FROM THE CITY TO THE SUBURBS, THE SHORE TO THE MOUNTAINS, RURAL AREAS AND SUCH.

AND YOU CAN GET IT ALL HERE.

SO THAT'S A BIG ADVANTAGE.

WE HAVE A HUGE TALENT POOL HERE.

I THINK OUR TALENT POOL OF ARTISTS AND CRAFTSMEN WHO WORK IN THE INDUSTRY AND LIVE HERE, I THINK IT'S SECOND TO NONE.

AND THAT'S A HUGE ADVANTAGE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO IMPORT EVERYONE.

THE COOPERATION, WELL, I THINK COOPERATION SPEAKS FOR ITSELF THESE DAYS BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS AND THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE LEGISLATURE.

NOW, YOU TALK ABOUT THE TAX CREDIT.

THAT'S THE EQUALIZER.

BEFORE WE HAD THE NEW TAX CREDIT PROGRAM IN 2018, THE PLAYING FIELD WAS NOT LEVEL.

OUR NEIGHBORHOODING STATES OF PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW YORK, CONNECTICUT, HAD AGGRESSIVE TAX CREDIT PROGRAMS, AGGRESSIVE FINANCIAL INCENTIVE PROGRAMS AND OTHER STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING NEW MEXICO AND OF COURSE WE TALK ABOUT GEORGIA ALL THE TIME AND MASSACHUSETTS.

AGAIN, OTHER AREAS.

WE NEED TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD AND THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE DID JUST THAT IN JULY OF 2018 WHEN THEY CREATED THE GARDEN STATE FILM AND MEDIA TAX CREDIT PROGRAM.

IT HAS WORKED BRILLIANTLY.

THE DAM BURST AS SOON AS THAT PROGRAM WAS CREATED WITHIN MONTHS.

WE HAD MAJOR PROJECTS.

ALSO MEDIUM-LEVEL PROJECTS AND LOWER-BUDGET PROJECTS AS WELL.

>> STEVEN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>>> WHILE MOVIE-MAKING IS IN FULL SWING, ANOTHER PART OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IS SLOWER TO RECOVER.

NEW JERSEY'S MUSIC SCENE WAS LARGELY SILENCED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT'S BEEN A FINANCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY CHALLENGING TIME FOR ARTISTS.

WE TALKED WITH DANNY CLENCH ABOUT THE WAY FORWARD FROM HERE.

>> DANNY, YOUR NAME IS SYNONYMOUS WITH THE MUSIC SCENE.

WHEN I THINK OF ASBURY PARK, SUMMER, MUSIC, THOSE ARE ALL GOOD THINGS.

ARE WE BACK TO NORMAL YET?

>> WELL, IT LOOKS GOOD OUT THERE.

I OF COURSE SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN ASBURY PARK, AT THE CLINCH GALLERY, AND IT'S LOOKING GOOD.

PEOPLE SEEM TO BE OBEYING THE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND MASK RULES.

I'M AN OPTIMIST AT HEART AND I'M OPTIMISTIC THAT THINGS ARE MOVING FORWARD IN A POSITIVE WAY.

>> HOW DID THE MUSIC SCENE CHANGE OVER THE PAST YEAR?

AND HOW WILL THOSE STAY WITH THE INDUSTRY MOVING FORWARD?

>> YOU KNOW, THE INDUSTRY WAS DEVASTATED BY THIS PANDEMIC, AND THE FACT THAT ALL THESE FOLKS WHO, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY COUNT ON THEIR LIVELIHOODS TO KEEP THEIR LIGHTS ON THROUGH LIVE MUSIC AND TOURING, BUT THEY KIND OF HAVE TO DO IT.

THEY'RE ARTISTS, THEY FEEL THE NEED TO GET OUT THERE AND INTERACT WITH PEOPLE.

AND IT WAS PRETTY DEVASTATING FOR EVERYONE.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, CHARITABLE EVENTS AND LIVE STREAMS AND RAISING MONEY, CREW NATION AND SEVERAL OTHERS THAT, I THINK, HAVE HELPED.

BUT CERTAINLY IT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT OF A BAND-AID, AND I THINK THAT EVERYBODY'S REALLY READY TO GET BACK TO IT AND HOPEFULLY GET OUT THERE AND BE ABLE TO PLACE REPLAY SOME MUSIC FOR PEOPLE AND LIFT THEIR SPIRITS AND PAY THEIR RENT.

>> HAS THE APPROACH TO EITHER PLAYING MUSIC OR WRITING MUSIC OR HAVING TO INTERACT ON ZOOM CHANGED THE WAY MUSICIANS THINK ABOUT THEIR OWN CRAFT?

>> I BET IT HAS.

AND I THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECORD NEW MUSIC, TO WRITE NEW MUSIC.

I THINK THE YOUNGER ARTISTS HAVE MAINTAINED THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.

THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO STAY IN CONTACT WITH THEIR FANS, TO GIVE THEM SOME CONTENT.

BUT I GOT TO IMAGINE EVERYBODY'S READY TO GET OUT THERE IN PERSON.

>> THINK BACK TO A PHOTOGRAPH YOU TOOK IN THE PAST YEAR THAT DESCRIBED THE MUSIC SCENE THEN, AND WHAT PHOTO HAVE YOU RECENTLY TAKEN OR WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS SUMMER THAT WILL DESCRIBE THE NEW MUSIC INDUSTRY AFTER COVID.

>> I THINK OF A PHOTOGRAPH THAT I TOOK WHEN I PHOTOGRAPHED THE FOO FIGHTERS FOR THEIR RECENT RECORD.

IT TOOK A LOT OF TESTING AND A LOT OF SKPOOCIAL DISTANCING AND MASK-WEARING.

BUT WHILE WE WERE ALL STANDING IN LINE, I TOOK A PHOTO OF DAVE GROHL TAKING HIS COVID TEST.

THAT SUMS UP THE MUSIC STRAY AT THAT MOMENT.

THE ONE I IMAGINE IN MY HEAD, IT'S GREAT QUESTION BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT.

I JUST KEEP THINKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE FESTIVAL IN ASBURY PARK, WHICH WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF.

NOT NOBODY'S TOLD US IT CAN'T HAPPEN.

HOPEFULLY MAY 19th THEY'LL BE LIFTING THE OUTDOOR SANCTIONS FOR EVERYONE.

I JUST KEEP THINKING OF A BAND HITTING THE STAGE NOW AND THE LOOK ON PEOPLE'S FACES HEARING MUSIC FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PERSON.

THESE FANS ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THE MUSIC THAT THESE BANDS GIVE TO THEM AND SHARE WITH THEM.

I IMAGINE IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY, VERY EMOTIONAL MOMENT AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO CAPTURE THAT.

>> DANNY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GREAT CHATTING WITH YOU.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> MUSIC, DANCE, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, ALL OF THAT HAPPENS AT HISTORIC NEWARK SYMPHONY HALL.

WE TALKED WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S PRESIDENT AND CEO ABOUT THE PLANS TO RETURN TO LIVE PERFORMANCES AND THE DECISION TO KEEP SOME PROGRAMMING ONLINE.

TANISHA, NEWARK SYMPHONY HALL HAD THE PIVOT DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT THINGS ARE CHANGING NOW.

RESTRICTIONS ARE BEING LIFTED.

WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING FOR IN THE MONTHS AHEAD?

>> WE'RE STILL IN THE PHASE OF ACTUALLY PLANNING FOR REOPENING.

WE'RE BEING VERY INTENTIONAL.

WE WANT TO BE SAFE FOR BOTH OUR PATRONS BUT ALSO OUR EMPLOYEES.

AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, WE'RE NOT ANTICIPATING OPENING BEFORE LATER THIS YEAR.

>> A VENUE LIKE YOURS REALLY HAS TO SORT THROUGH.

>> THERE ARE A WHOLE LOT OF DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE TO SORT THROUGH.

NEW PROTOCOLS OR SANITIZING.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS FOR THE SAFETY, BUT ALSO FOR THE COMFORT AND FOR THE PUBLIC TO FEEL THAT THEY ARE IN A VENUE THAT IS TAKING THEIR HEALTH SERIOUSLY.

>> HOW CHALLENGING IS IT IF THERE ARE REDUCED AUDIENCE LEVELS THAT STILL HAVE TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY PERFORMERS, ET CETERA?

>> WELL, THAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE.

THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE MADE A DECISION.

WE DO HAVE A PRODUCTION COMING UP, BUT IT WILL BE VIRTUAL.

IT'S SORT OF HIGH-TECH, A LITTLE BIT OF HYBRID.

PARENTS OUT THERE UNDERSTAND THE HYBRID EDUCATION.

WE'RE TAKING THAT SAME THING WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME OF THE PERFORMERS ACTUALLY IN THE VENUE AND THE PERFORMERS LOOK LIKE THEY'RE IN THE VENUE THROUGH SOME HIGH-TECH.

>> YOU HAVE PIVOTED TO ONLINE.

DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE AN ONLINE COMPONENT THAT CONTINUES LONG AFTER THE PANDEMIC IS OVER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, I WAS RECENTLY IN A CONVERSATION WITH ADVOCATES IN THE -- I WOULD CALL IT THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY WHO ARE REALLY CONCERNED THAT MY COLLEAGUES IN THIS SPACE WILL DECIDE TO JUST TURN THE SWITCH OFF IN TERMS OF VIRTUAL.

BUT FOR A WHOLE HOST OF REASONS, WHETHER THEY HAVE SENSITIVITY ISSUES, OTHER IMPAIRMENTS THAT MAKE BEING IN A VENUE DIFFICULT, THEY WANT TO SEE THIS SORT OF PROGRAMMING CONTINUE.

BECAUSE WE'RE ALL ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION, WE DO PLAN TO CONTINUE TO DO SOME FORM OF VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING.

>> SO THERE'S LOTS GOING ON INSIDE, BUT THERE'S ALSO LOTS GOING ON OUTSIDE.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE RENOVATION AT SYMPHONY HALL BEFORE, BUT YOU HAVE SOME UPDATES TO SHARE IN TERMS OF THE NEW VISION.

>> YES.

AS I SAY, WE'RE ON THE ARCHITECT'S DRAWING BOARDS AND WE ARE HOPING TO ACTUALLY GET STARTED WITH HARD HATS AND EVERYTHING THIS YEAR.

BUT THIS WEEK WE DID RELEASE THE VISUALIZATIONS THAT THE ARCHITECTS HAVE COME UP WITH.

I LOVE THAT IT'S A NOD TO OUR HISTORY, BUT ALSO TO OUR FUTURE.

>> IT'S PROBABLY SO IMPORTANT NOW BECAUSE ONE THING IN ISOLATION A LOT OF PEOPLE FELT WAS THE NEED FOR THAT CONNECTION, THE VIBRANCY WE GET FROM ARTS AND MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE.

>> I'M HOPING THAT PEOPLE DO STILL FEEL A CONNECTION, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE IN A VIRTUAL SPACE RIGHT NOW.

BUT CERTAINLY ONCE WE ARE OUT THERE AND INVITING THE COMMUNITY TO OUR GROUNDBREAKING, THERE DEFINITELY IS GOING TO BE A FEELING OF CONNECTION AND EXUBERANCE OVER THE FUTURE OF SYMPHONY HALL AS WE APPROACH OUR CENTENNIAL.

>> GOOD TO CATCH UP WITH YOU AGAIN, THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> THAT WRAPS UP OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> FUNDING FOR "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WORKING TO KEEP NEW JERSEY IN BUSINESS.

ONLINE AT NJCHAMBER.COM.

NJBIA HAS BEEN THE VOICE OF BUSINESS FOR MORE THAN 110 YEARS AND ISA GAGE CHANGING FORCE OFFERING FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

WE'RE STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATH TRAIN IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT NGCU.EDU/GAMECHANGER.

AND IBEW LOCAL 102, PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY.

VISIT IBEW102.ORG.

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