Pennsylvania Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews

Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Pennsylvania? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.

Filming in Pennsylvania

For an introduction to shooting in Pennsylvania see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.

Pennsylvania Film Locations

Pennsylvania, the Keystone State, is a Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern state. Film locations of note include historic and modern cities, Civil War sites, Appalachian mountains, Lake Erie, picturesque Amish countryside, forests in fall colors, covered bridges, and abandoned industrial locations.

Agricultural film locations include farms that produce mushrooms, apples, grapes, corn, wheat, oats, barley, tobacco, sunflowers, and dairy products. Industrial locations include a long list of rust belt locations. Pennsylvania mines coal, natural gas, and limestone. Energy locations include coal and gas fired power plants, as well as nuclear power plants.

Pennsylvania has hosted many productions including Servant (2019-), Split (2016), Creed (2015), World War Z (2013), Jack Reacher (2012), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), The Avengers (2012), The Lovely Bones (2009), The Wrestler (2008), The Sixth Sense (1999), Twelve Monkeys (1995), Philadelphia (1993), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Night of the Living Dead (1990), Blow Out (1981), The Deer Hunter (1978), Dawn of the Dead (1978), and Rocky (1976), to name a few.

Film locations of interest include the following:

Located in the east of the state, Philadelphia is a historic American city known for its impressive Georgian, Federal and Greek Revival architecture. The city offers a modern skyline and some great car park rooftops ideal for car commercials. Film locations of note include Philadelphia City Hall, Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Bellevue Hotel, Barnes Foundation, Rodin Museum, Franklin Institute, Independence Hall, Memorial Hall, Mütter Museum, Masonic Temple of Philadelphia, Museum of the American Revolution, National Museum of American Jewish History, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts designed by Rafael Viñoly, Packard Motor Car Company Building designed by Albert Kahn, Lazaretto Quarantine Station, Graffiti Pier, Germantown Cricket Club, Vanna Venturi House designed by Robert Venturi, Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Reading Terminal Market, Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, Laurel Hill Cemetery, University of Pennsylvania campus, and Girard College campus. Philadelphia is home to the Liberty Bell. Abandoned locations include the Eastern State Penitentiary, Richmond Generating Station, and Delaware Generating Station. Philadelphia has a large, vibrant Chinatown. Several large sport stadiums are available for filming including the Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, and Wells Fargo Center. Rocky (1976) filmed throughout Philadelphia including the classic stairs scene at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Blue Horizon boxing arena. Split (2016) filmed in Philadelphia Zoo, Silk City Diner Bar & Lounge, 30th Street Station, and Fisherman Restaurant. Twelve Monkeys (1995) also filmed throughout Philadelphia in locations such as the Eastern State Penitentiary, Girard College, Wanamaker Building, Franklin Field, Philadelphia Zoo, Richmond Generating Station, Delaware Generating Station, Memorial Hall, Metropolitan Opera House, and City Hall. Silver Linings Playbook (2012), The Sixth Sense (1999), and Philadelphia (1993) filmed in Philadelphia and throughout the Philadelphia suburbs.

Located in the west of the state, Pittsburgh is Pennsylvania’s second largest city. The city sits on the confluence of the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River, where they join to form the Ohio River. Pittsburgh has more bridges than any other city in the world. Bridges of note include the Smithfield Street Bridge, Roberto Clemente Bridge, Andy Warhol Bridge, and Fort Pitt Bridge. Pittsburgh is a modern city with a rich architectural history. Film locations of note include Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Museum of Art, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Andy Warhol Museum, David L. Lawrence Convention Center designed by Rafael Viñoly, Allegheny County Courthouse and Jail, PPG Place designed by Philip Johnson, Union Trust Building, Frick Building, Gulf Tower, Omni William Penn Hotel, Duquesne Club interiors, Cathedral of Learning, Allegheny Observatory, University of Pittsburgh campus, and Carnegie Mellon University campus. Sporting film locations include Heinz Field football stadium, and PNC Park baseball stadium. Mt Washington offers great shots of the city skyline. Much of The Silence of the Lambs (1991) was filmed in and around Pittsburgh including places such as Homestead, Perryopolis, McKeesport, Layton, Rural Valley, Glenwillard, Canonsburg, and Shaler Township. Jack Reacher (2012) filmed extensively throughout Pittsburgh including surrounding locations such as Robinson Township, Saltsburg, Sewickley, and Monroeville. The Carnegie Institute featured in Pretty Woman (1990). The Deer Hunter (1978) filmed in Clairton, McKeesport, Duquesne Heights, and Pittsburgh. The Dark Knight Rises (2012) filmed in Heinz Field, and Carnegie Mellon University. Dawn of the Dead (1978) filmed at the Monroeville Mall.

Harrisburg is the state capital. Film locations of note include the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Susquehanna Art Museum, and The National Civil War Museum.

Scranton is known for the Steamtown National Historic Site, and Lackawanna Coal Mine museum. The Office (2005-2013) opening credits filmed in Scranton.

Pennsylvania is home to American Civil War battle sites such as Gettysburg, and Valley Forge.

Frank Lloyd Wright buildings include Fallingwater, Duncan House, Kentuck Knob, and Beth Sholom Synagogue.

Bryn Mawr College campus is located in Bryn Mawr.

Penn State University campus is located in State College.

Grey Towers Castle is located on the campus of Arcadia University in Glenside.

The Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle are located in Doylestown.

Abandoned film locations of note include Bethlehem Steel Plant, St Nicholas Breaker, Carrie Furnaces in Braddock, Knox Coal Distribution Center, Windber Trolley Graveyard, and Penn Hills Resort.

The Strasburg Rail Road has a steam train available for filming.

Amusement parks of note include Hersheypark, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Knoebels Amusement Resort, Dutch Wonderland, and Kennywood.

Ski resorts of note include Camelback Mountain Resort, Seven Springs Resort, Blue Mountain Resort, Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, Jack Frost Ski Resort, Whitetail Resort, and Elk Mountain Ski Resort.

Longwood Gardens are a beautiful film location.

Intercourse is a village in the Amish country.

Nature locations include the Appalachian Mountains, Pennsylvania Wilds, Allegheny National Forest, Kinzua Bridge State Park, Ricketts Glen State Park, Presque Isle State Park, Cherry Springs State Park, Ohiopyle State Park, Hickory Run State Park, Promised Land State Park, Cook Forest State Park, Bushkill Falls, Delaware Water Gap, and Lake Erie.

Reading Pagoda is a 7-story Japanese-style pagoda.

Flight 93 National Memorial commemorates the September 11th attacks.

Nuclear power plants include Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Limerick Nuclear Power Plant, Peach Bottom Nuclear Generating Station, and Beaver Valley Nuclear Generating Station.

Raven Rock Mountain Complex is a Cold War era operational nuclear bunker.

Pennsylvania Film Location Permits

The permitting process varies depending upon what part of the state you are shooting in and the type of permit you require. In general, permitting is a quick, easy and inexpensive process. Please contact us for location specific information.

When To Shoot?

Spring starts in March with bright green fields and cities in full bloom. Summer starts in May and is warm and pleasant through to the heat of August. Fall colors start in October. Winter is cold and snowy in parts of the state.

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in the United States.

Unique Local Stories

Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.

If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.

If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.

Pennsylvania Tax Incentives For Filming

Pennsylvania offers a transferable tax credit of up to 30% on nearly all production expenses incurred in Pennsylvania. A stand-alone post production incentive program is also on offer.

Pennsylvania Film Crew & Talent

Crew. Pennsylvania has a good pool of local film crew.

Contact us if you are looking for a Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or Scranton based director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew in Pennsylvania.

Talent. The state’s population is predominately Caucasian and African American. Pennsylvania is synonymous blue collar steel workers, Amish communities, and farmers.

Pennsylvania Film Equipment

Equipment. Pennsylvania has some standard grip, lighting and camera gear for hire.

Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.

Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.

For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.

Pennsylvania Studios & Post Production

Pennsylvania has several studios to choose from.

Pennsylvania Film-Friendly Accommodation

Please contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton and other areas of Pennsylvania.

Final Notes

Safety. Pennsylvania is a very safe and reliable place for foreign productions to shoot. See here for up to date travel advice.

Down Time. Philly Cheesesteak.

Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Pennsylvania, please see below:

Hire Pennsylvania Production Support & Shooting Crew

If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Pennsylvania, please contact us.

If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Pennsylvania, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.

We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.