CAMBRIA/SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — A new horror film called "The Boonies" was recently produced by locals...from the boonies.
Dave McMillan and Brian Balog are Westmont Hilltop grads turned independent filmmakers.
"We all are familiar with the woods, or 'The Boonies.' That's part of our childhood," said Brian.
The life-long friends started producing the 97 minute horror movie in August of 2020.
"The film starts off pretty innocently with some hikers going on a bachelor party weekend. There's also a couple that hunts, and they're going to scout a couple deer trails. From there, it gets kind of shaky," said Dave.
Dave and Brian put out an ad looking for a crew.
They found local film-making friends Matt Schultz and Lance Parkin from Ebensburg.
"It's really just one of those magic moments whenever you see what you imagined in your head and wrote taking place, and then you see the final product," said Matt.
Each scene was filmed at locations throughout Cambria and Somerset counties, including The Ridge, North Fork Dam, and Ghost Town Trail.
"It was great. It was like what I used to pretend in my head when I was like 9, but I was doing it for real, in the place I used to do it, which was cool," said Lance.
The low-budget film was even played at a West Hollywood drive-in last month in California.
"It's a difficult process without the millions of dollars that Hollywood throws at movies. So, I want them to keep that in mind if they come out," Brian said.
They're setting the stage for future filmmakers to stay local.
You don't have to run to New York City or LA. You can do it here. There's a strong community all in Western Pennsylvania."We'd like to see local talent step up and start shooting shorts, small films, and keep the ball rolling in the area," Dave said.
"The Boonies" will be available nationwide April 20th on digital and VOD platforms.
The movie will premiere in-person one night only at the Westwood Plaza Theatre & Cafe in Johnstown (Thursday, April 15th at 6:00pm and 8:30pm).
Go to fleeglecinemas.com or fandango.com to purchase tickets.
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