New Jersey Stage - July/August 2014 | Page 51

Jersey,” noted Goodman, highlighting concepts like the Turnpike and grittiness of the state. “It was this idea of not running away from the things that define us. They may not be the things we’re most proud to have define us, but the embracing and being real about them resonated. People saw that there was a bit of beauty in that landscape and throughout New Jersey.” Goodman is currently interviewing celebrities, professors, and politicians from New Jersey as well as regular people from throughout the country. He’s been up and down the East Coast and plans on making a West Coast trip as well. It’s part of an effort to paint the clearest picture of New Jersey’s identity or its lack of one. The goal is to have a finished edit of the fulllength 90-minute film for January 2015 and to shoot for screenings in film festivals. He knows he may not be able to change the perceptions of outsiders with his film, but hopes he can make it a little bit easier for people to have pride with the words we sometimes dread… “I’m from New Jersey.” share your Jersey pride and stories of new jersey with Daniel Goodman. Contact him at his website. Visit us online at http://www.NewJerseyStage.com pg 51