A new independent film series is reshaping how stories are told in New Jersey—turning local neighborhoods into backdrops, small businesses into scene-stealers, and everyday residents into leading characters.
Meet Me In New Jersey, a locally rooted cinematic project from filmmaker and media entrepreneur Tanya Lashley, premiered to a sold-out crowd earlier this year and is already making waves across the state. With its mix of scripted drama, documentary-style authenticity and hometown pride, the series is offering something rarely seen in local media: a polished, artistic take on life in the Garden State.
“This isn’t a commercial. This isn’t a reality show. This is a movement,” says Lashley, the series' founder and executive producer. “We’re telling authentic, cinematic stories while staying deeply connected to the communities they come from.”
Each episode is filmed on location in New Jersey towns, featuring real residents alongside local businesses. Rather than focusing on advertising, the show weaves these elements into its fictional storylines, creating a blend of narrative and reality that reflects the character of the communities it portrays.
At the series premiere, held at Ashton Farms in Hunterdon County, the energy was palpable. Attendees included cast members, town officials, local business owners and supporters of the arts—all drawn by the show’s unique approach to community storytelling.
The project’s visual style and production quality set it apart from other regional media. Episodes are shot with a cinematic eye, combining narrative arcs with unscripted moments that showcase the personality of each town. From downtown main streets to family-owned restaurants, every location is chosen to highlight New Jersey’s diversity, history and sense of place.
“The stories we tell are grounded in reality,” Lashley shares. “We’re showing how communities come together, how businesses adapt, and how people support each other. And we’re doing it with heart and cinematic flair.”
The series has also brought together a wide range of local talent—including some familiar faces. Our own publisher, Tiffany Slowinski, appears as a character in the show, blending her real-life passion for community storytelling with the fictional world Lashley has created. It’s just one more way the project blurs the lines between art and reality, while spotlighting the people who make New Jersey special.
The team behind Meet Me In New Jersey is already seeing interest from towns across the state, as well as conversations about expanding the format to other regions. Still, the heart of the project remains its local focus—giving New Jersey residents a chance to see themselves and their neighbors reflected on screen.
The show also offers a platform for community collaboration. Residents are encouraged to get involved both on screen and behind the scenes, from acting roles to helping with set design, production assistance and community outreach.
“People aren’t just watching this—they’re participating in it,” explains Lashley. “That’s what makes it different. We’re building something that people feel a part of.”
As the series continues to gain traction, it has sparked conversation about how media can better represent small towns, independent businesses and local culture in a meaningful way. By elevating the everyday stories that shape New Jersey communities, Meet Me In New Jersey is positioning itself not just as entertainment, but as a new kind of local journalism—one told through a filmmaker’s lens.
More than anything, Lashley sees the project as a celebration of the state she calls home. “There’s so much depth and beauty here. This series is a way to capture that—one town, one story at a time.”
For media inquiries, interviews, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Tanya Lashley - Executive Producer, Meet Me In New Jersey
Phone: 973-313-4415
Email: Tanya@meetmeinnewjersey.com
To watch the show or for more information visit: Meetmeinnewjersey.com