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<\/p>\nA psychological thriller about a woman who overcomes her fear of spiders \u2014 and uses her newfound admiration for arachnids for revenge \u2014 will have a familiar setting.<\/p>\n
Community leaders hope the filming of \u201cArachnophilia\u201d inspires more filmmakers to spin stories in Northeast Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
New York City-based filmmakers and others from the movie industry announced the project during an event in downtown Scranton\u2019s A\u2019tera 519 restaurant on Tuesday. The fine dining venue, along with Keystone College in LaPlume Twp. and the Pet Zone in Pittston, will be used for filming. Other locations, along with opportunities for public involvement, will be announced in the future. The production will also include the involvement of industry professionals from Scranton who worked on projects elsewhere but will now come home.<\/p>\n
\u201cScranton is great because it has all of our locations that we need within the area. You can go from rural to the countryside to suburban,\u201d said Sarah T. Schwab, the film\u2019s writer and director. \u201cIt’s about two hours outside of New York City, and we work with a lot of New York City crew and cast\u2026 so it’s a win-win situation for both the community and for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Sarah T. Schwab, writer and director of “Arachnophilia,” discusses bringing films to Scranton with community members.<\/p>\n
Future films planned<\/p>\n
Schwab and Brian Long co-founded New York-based Cardinal Flix<\/a>, an independent production company. Since its inception six years ago, the company has produced three feature films, all written and directed by Schwab. The latest, \u201cCrybaby Bridge,\u201d was shot in Bloomsburg and Monroe County.<\/p>\n While \u201cArachnophilia\u201d will be the first filmed in Scranton, the Cardinal Flix founders say they don\u2019t plan for it to be the last. Schwab is writing three other scripts with Scranton planned for the backdrop.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is our goal now to start to really get involved in the community, start to get to know a lot of people, so that we can actually make those four films a reality here,\u201d Long said. \u201cIt takes a village to do these things.\u201d<\/p>\n The film is expected to cost $2.8 million to produce, with $1.3 million of that budget to be spent in Scranton for food, housing, locations and the crew, Long said.<\/p>\n Coming home<\/p>\n Adam Spott graduated from Lackawanna Trail in Wyoming County in 2007. He sought a career in front of the camera, working as a model and actor, including on \u201cVanderpump Rules.\u201d<\/p>\n After working in Hollywood, he realized he liked a career behind the scenes. Spott, who now lives in Florida, met Schwab and Long at a film festival there. He will come home to serve as assistant to the director.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s just mind-blowing that we’re getting the opportunity. I’m getting the opportunity to come home, work on something that I’m passionate about, with a project that I’m really excited about, with people that I’m really excited to work with,\u201d he said. \u201cI love my home, and it’s so cool to have something that I’m so passionate about taking place in my home.\u201d<\/p>\n West Scranton native Anthony Bruno worked on shows including \u201cOrange is the New Black\u201d and \u201cThe Walking Dead.\u201d He will serve as production designer and has many local sites planned for filming.<\/p>\n \u201cThis town should be a film town. It very well can be a film town,\u201d Bruno said. \u201cAnd I hope that Sarah and Brian can be the ones to usher that movement into\u2026 2026, 2027 and so on.\u201d<\/p>\n Opportunities and exposure<\/p>\n John Pullo, Keystone College president, says that “Arachnophilia” filming scenes on campus will bring exposure to the school and opportunities for students.<\/p>\n Keystone College, on the border of Lackawanna and Wyoming counties, will benefit from the exposure, school President John Pullo said. It will also help create opportunities for students in the arts, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe student experience is going to be incredible,” he said. “To really experience filmmaking up close, potentially be part of it, will be really exciting and really compelling for the students and the campus.”<\/p>\n Scranton developer John Basalyga hosted Tuesday\u2019s event at filming location A\u2019tera 519. Sergei\u2019s Live, the nightclub also at the property, will be in the film too.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat began as a casual conversation quickly turned into an inspiring discussion about their vision, their passion for filmmaking, and most importantly, their genuine enthusiasm for Northeast Pennsylvania. It was clear they see the same potential in our region that so many of us see every day,\u201d Basalyga said. \u201cFilm production brings far more than cameras and cast members. It brings jobs, tourism, investment and creative economic opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n Brian Long, left, co-founder of Cardinal Flix, discusses the making of the film “Arachnophilia” next to John Basalyga at his restaurant A’tera 519.<\/p>\n Fear of spiders<\/p>\n \u201cArachnophilia\u201d tells the story of a high school orchestra teacher who suffers from a debilitating fear of spiders. She eventually conquers her fear, which turns into admiration used to seek revenge on people who wronged her.<\/p>\n During filming, staff from The Pet Zone in Pittston will be on set with three Mexican redknee tarantulas. The spiders, considered docile and a popular choice for spider lovers, will be held by the actors.<\/p>\n As director, Schwab said she\u2019ll hold a spider, too, since she would never ask a cast member to do something she wouldn\u2019t do.<\/p>\n But first, Schwab said she must overcome her fear of spiders.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m already kind of like shaking a little bit, but I’m going to do it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Local involvement<\/p>\n The filmmakers are negotiating contracts with actors for the lead roles and expect to make announcements later this month and in July, Long said.<\/p>\n Involvement for local residents may include being extras, production assistants, helping with props or providing housing. The company will also work with local students interested in film careers. Anyone interested in being involved can fill out a form online<\/a>, accessible from the company\u2019s Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Crews will shoot around the region this fall, with an estimated film release date of October 2027.<\/p>\n![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781083991_950_.jpeg\"\/)
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