A newly formed entertainment development company from Altoona is trying to raise $300,000, so that it can launch an effort it hopes could eventually bring “multimillion-dollar” projects and a film festival to central Pennsylvania — while creating an “ecosystem” for productions.

This area has advantages over established locations like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, including affordability, flexibility and lack of competition, and there are lots of interesting venues, both human-built and natural, according to [Untitled] Productions CEO Michael DePiro, Chief Operating Officer Devin Saylor and Chief Financial Officer Will Hooten, speaking recently to City Council.

“We wanted to try to make them aware of the ideas we have” — and of “resources” needed to develop the film, video and audio industry locally, Saylor said, when asked why the trio approached council.

“We wish them good luck,” said Mayor Matt Pacifico.

The company seeks to facilitate projects and provide resources for both established and independent “content creators” — helping them make movies, TikTok and YouTube videos and podcasts, DePiro said.

The trio showed council members clips of a locally produced project called “No Game Like Foxes.”

Locations in the area that have been used already include the Mishler Theatre, Raystown Lake, Trough Creek State Park and other woodland locations, DePiro said.

The leadership is networking, raising funds and marketing, according to Hooten.

The money the company is trying to raise will likely be in the form of an investment loan, with payback over five years, Hooten said.

The company is in Phase 1 of its development, DePiro said. “Getting a foot in the door,” he said.

Success requires support from the entire community, he said.

Tax credits are likely to figure in that success at some point, DePiro said.

“We want to build it here,” Saylor said.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.