The Scranton Times

Hollywood Coming to Pennsylvania?

WEDNESDAY, July 28, 1999

By Chad Sebring

   Hollywood, Pennsylvania.

   If you think that has a nice ring to it, you're not alone.

   Theodore Brunelle, president and CEO of Endless Mountains Productions in New Milford, has announced that he is developing plans to build a 200,000 square foot motion picture studio, comparable to Hollywood's most well-known studios, right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

   “We're in the beginning stages,” Mr. Brunelle said in an interview with The Scranton Times. “We're in the process of looking for financing, and we're also looking at several sites that could range anywhere from Wilkes-Barre to the Binghamton border.”

   Although plans are preliminary, Mr. Brunelle believes such a project is a viable option for this area.

   He should know. Endless Mountains Productions, which started seven years ago as a sound studio with a network of computers, has grown to a point that it recently produced a two-hour children's feature film titles “One Stormy Night.” It featured local actors and actresses, and debuted at the Scranton Cultural Center.

    Mr. Brunelle envisions his studio competing with the industry's giants like Dreamworks, United Artists, MGM and Lucas Films. It's an ambitious project, but be sees it as one that is feasible, even in a section of the country that has had little or no history in the film industry.

   “This area has every resource needed to make this project a reality,” Mr. Brunelle said. “Besides, Hollywood is overrated.

   “I certainly don't think it's beyond what can be accomplished,” Mr. Brunelle added, acknowledging that the undertaking won't be easy. “There's an old saying in the entertainment business that if you can make it in Scranton, you can make it anywhere.”

   If he is going to make it, it will be with local talent and local resources.

   “I would definitely rather hire local people that outsiders.” Mr. Brunelle said. I've worked with them and I know there is a lot of talent right here.”

   Once the studio is complete, he expects to hire approximately 50 full-time employees.