Latest news with #PittsburghFilmOffice
CBS News
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
The big screen or the streaming screen? Which outlet offers more to the Pittsburgh film industry?
Pop quiz: What was the last movie you saw in the theater? Now, what was the last movie you streamed or TV show you watched multiple episodes of on a streaming service? It was probably easier to answer the second question than it was the first, right? Certainly, that has had an impact on the film industry, including here in Pittsburgh. While the pandemic did a number on the movie industry and it's still struggling to recover, streaming entertainment took off and is still climbing. When The Dark Knight Rises hit the big screen, we swelled with Pittsburgh pride at the very obvious local scenes. "We're not picky, we just want the work," said Dawn Keezer, the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Film Office. The local film workers are getting that work, while the streaming screen might be smaller, Pittsburgh is appearing on Watson on CBS, and The Pitt with Noah Wyle on Max. "All those scenes where you see when they're sitting in the ER, that's all modeled after [Allegheny General Hospital]," Keezer said. "They love pretending they're here, we just really wish they were here." Both Watson and The Pitt shot their exterior shots in town for about four days each, but the rest is studio work elsewhere. "The cost differential between filming Watson where it was written, in Pittsburgh, or Vancouver, Canada, was $16 million," Keezer explained. "So they went to Canada." Since movie theater attendance is half of what it was pre-pandemic, streaming shows is now huge and a bigger source of entertainment for many, but since it's now multiple episodes in a season rather than a single movie, it means more work. "Longer work, look at Mayor of Kingstown, they're here for about six months out of every year," Keezer said. "Now, we're in the process of completing season four with hopes for season five." American Rust has also made return visits, but there is still a desire for the 12-week stays of a major film. "I don't think movies are dead," Keezer declared. "I don't think theaters are dead. I think people are still looking for forms of entertainment. It's a matter of creating the content that they actually want to see." Keezer pointed out that it's especially challenging for families with younger children to find something in the theaters, and with the exception of the Minecraft Movie , even teenagers like her son have no desire to go see a movie; they'd rather watch YouTube or one of the other streaming outlets. Now, all of that said, even with the desire for the return of a big movie to Pittsburgh, the streaming services offer workers the chance to move up in the crew and establish connections. When it comes to movies, it's like starting from scratch each time.
CBS News
09-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
New movie about Milton Hershey to film in Pittsburgh
A motion picture film titled "Hershey" will start production in May 2025. The film crew will stop for production in the Pittsburgh area according to the Pittsburgh Film Office. The movie will focus on the founder of The Hershey Company, Milton Hershey, a man who had failed ventures in business and became a chocolatier. The main cast features Finn Wittrock and Alexandra Daddario as Milton and Catherine Hershey. "Against all odds, Milton achieved great success, but unlike a lot of other wealthy men of his time, he shared his success with the working people and community around him," said Director of the Hershey movie Mike Waters. "The core of Hershey, the movie, will be the special love story between Milton and Catherine Hershey." The Milton Hershey School was inspired by his motivation to bring good to the world. Five Hershey affiliated establishments, The Hershey Company, Milton Hershey School, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, The M.S. Hershey Foundation and Hershey Trust Company collaborated with Dandelion Media to ensure the portrayal of Milton's life is authentic. "Milton and Catherine Hershey's greatest achievement wasn't chocolate, it was creating a home and school for generations of children in need," said President of Milton Hershey School, Pete Gurt. "As an alumnus of Milton Hershey School, I've seen firsthand how their vision transforms lives." The film is set to release in 2026.
