Tuned In: 'Haunting' sequels
By Rob Owen, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Filmed around Western Pennsylvania last fall, the direct-to-DVD release "R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour: Don't Think About It," was designed to be the first in a series of "Haunting Hour" videos potentially filmed here. The movie also aired on Cartoon Network in September.
Pittsburgh-based Steeltown Entertainment Project, which will ultimately invest more than $900,000 in the first film's more than $3 million budget, is hoping two more movies in the series will film here. The films are produced by independent production company The Hatchery and distributed by Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
"The last I heard from [Hatchery partner] Dan Angel, the selection [for locations] was between Vancouver and Pittsburgh," said Jodi Klebick, Steeltown managing director. "He was really pushing for Pittsburgh because of the incentives we have here and the exchange rate in Canada [is no longer as favorable as it had been]. They had a great experience here and he was very positive about doing what he could to bring it to Pittsburgh."
Klebick said the first film shipped between 400,000 and 500,000 copies to stores in September, but until returns come back next year, sales totals won't be available.
Prospects for filming the sequels here might improve once money promised by the state for "Don't Think About It" is finally delivered.
"The state has its steps it has to go through," Klebick said. "We're getting closer to getting the funding released to finalize that part of that project."
Might the slow pace hurt Pittsburgh's chances for the second and third films?
"I'm certain it would be in everybody's best interest if it would have happened quicker," Klebick said. "... With the incentives, the quicker the process, the easier it is to say, 'Pittsburgh is open for business and able to make this happen' to the industry as a whole as it looks for locations for productions."
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07341/839818-42.stm
TV editor Rob Owen can be reached at rowen@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1112.
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