New film studio planned for Pennsylvania

Plans are in the pipeline for a new $30m film studio in Pennsylvania.

According to local outlet Times News Online, Robert Morgalo, a filmmaker and actor from the state, is considering a location in Tamaqua, a borough in the eastern Schuylkill County region, in which to build the new facility. 

He told the news site: “We anticipate being very competitive with comparable film studios in New York City, New Jersey, Hudson Valley and Atlanta, Georgia. We believe that we will rapidly become the go-to film studio in the Northeast region.”

The complex would be called OPF Film Studios of Tamaqua, with the exact location to be confirmed. Morgalo continued: “In the past two years I have produced many film projects there and I was looking for a way to provide a positive impact on the local economy.”

Pennsylvania offers a tax credit of 25%. An additional 5% tax credit is available for productions that meet the minimum state filming requirements at a qualified production facility. The 30% rate also applies to post-production expenses carried out at qualifying facilities.

A minimum of 60% of the production budget must be spent in the state; there is a cap of $15m on above-the-line payments to principal actors.

Films to have shot in Pennsylvania in recent years include An American Pickle and the Tom Hanks-starrer A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood.

Photo credit: Lacey Terrell and Sony Pictures Entertainment