New film studio planned for Pennsylvania

The facility would potentially provide thousands of permanent and temporary jobs and inject millions into the local economy. 

By Nia Daniels 12 Sep 2022

New film studio planned for Pennsylvania
Credit: Lacey Terrell and Sony Pictures Entertainment

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  

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