34 / matters magazine / fall 2026 as their home. Matusik took notice of these developments and decided to cover them. “I just saw all these great stories unfolding around me. And because of my past experience, I was like, ‘Okay, now this is a really good idea, and we have to make it happen now,’ ” she says. To get a full picture of New Jersey’s film scene, she reached out to Adam Nelson, a professor at the New Jersey Film Academy who resides in Asbury Park. Nelson had film industry contacts. They pooled their resources into a magazine dedicated to covering these statewide developments and spotlight ing underrepresented film talents who live locally, including actors, graphic designers, sound engineers and composers. SOCKO! Magazine launched this spring at the New Jersey Film Expo held in East Rutherford. It currently has more than 5,000 subscribers and won Best eMagazine at the 2026 dotCOMM Awards. According to Matusik, they are now in a fundraising phase and looking for editorial and sales talent, though a fall issue is expected to come out sometime in October or November. Some notable SOCKO! interviews with industry veterans – currently available to read at sockomagazine.com – include When Harry Met Sally production de signer Jane Musky (born in Maplewood) and Monk actor Tony Shalhoub. The story in which Matusik took the most pride, however, involves Cedar Grove resident Michael Uslan, chairman of the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission. Uslan’s accomplishments are legendary among superhero fans. He taught courses on the history of comic books at Indiana University in the 1970s. As a young man, he bought the film rights to Bat man, resulting in Uslan being listed as a producer on every Batman film since Tim Burton’s 1989 blockbuster. Even more important, Matusik added, was how Uslan’s story reflects the business ingenuity of an average New Jersey resident. “I think in some ways it really captures the essence of what we’re all about and what the state is about as well,” she says. Building this magazine combines skills from all of Matusik’s past experi ences, including her brand consultant job. But it’s the commitment to storytell ing, as well as understand ing this homegrown pipe line between New Jersey communities and cinema that drives her passion for the Maplewood Film So ciety and SOCKO! Maga zine. She is also heartened by the number of women taking initiative and start ing their own businesses without waiting for per mission. “The best thing is to get out of your house and go to a conference or a panel now and then and hear other people speak in real life,” Matusik offers as advice to these aspiring entrepreneurs. “I think it’s really important to continue to broaden your eyes and have an open mind about how you do things and know that you can always learn something new.” Ben Wasserman is a freelance writer and Rotten Tomatoes-certified film critic with more than a decade of experience covering the entertainment industry. Angela Matusik at the launching of SOCKO! Magazine at the New Jersey Film Expo this past spring A leader in Experiential Education since 1963 Less screen time. More real life. Hands-on experiences, meaningful relationships, integrated curriculum, and the freedom to be curious every day. www.montclaircoop.org
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