Lackawanna County may never turn into Hollywood east, but you can’t find a coal mine in Hollywood either.
So when filmmakers need a coal mine or older-looking buildings or unique settings, the county wants them to have a place to ask.
The county commissioners expect to vote Wednesday to create a nine-member film and multi-media commission that will serve as a clearinghouse.
Commissioner Bill Gaughan said the county won’t put up any money, but hopes the commission can bring the area attention.
“We thought, hey, it's not going to hurt, it can only help,” Gaughan said.
The county lost $500,000 investing in actor/director Paul Sorvino’s film 15 years ago. But Gaughan said future film-making here can showcase the county.
“Just shining a little bit of light on the fact that we have some unbelievable locations in Lackawanna County that people can use as backdrop in their film, we have a lot of talent, a lot of really good things going on in the area,” he said.
Local documentary filmmaker Bob Savakinus proposed the commission idea and will likely serve as its first chairman. Savakinus said the commission will create inventories of potential film locations or shops that might have props filmmakers need.
“Imagine having that opportunity to come visit a set, while a movie’s being made in the area, or maybe being an extra in the movie,” he said.
