THE CHAIR

In the fall of 2014, “The Chair” aired on the Starz Network.  Ihis innovative 10-episode series follows dueling first-time directors — YouTube sensation Shane Dawson and writer/actor Anna Martemucci— making two different movies from the same script.

“The Chair” is produced by Chris Moore (“Good Will Hunting,” “American Pie,” “Project Greenlight”), and Red Sky Productions in association with Steeltown Entertainment Project, Point Park University, the Steeltown/WQED Incubator. Before the Door (formed by three Carnegie Mellon Alums) — Pittsburgh native Zach Quinto, Corey Moosa, and Neal Dodson), Brothers Henry, Tunnel Post, and Shaderville.

Important commercial projects like “The Chair” showcase Pittsburgh’s risng global reputation as a regional production center. In addition to its leadership role in bringing “The Chair” to reality, Steeltown also has another series on the air this fall, “Farm Queens,” now running on Great American Country, which came out of the winner of “The Next Reality Star: Pittsburgh.” And  “No No: Dockumentary,” the Sundance selectee about Pittsburgh Pirate Dok Ellis — is now screeninig in more than 33 cities across the country.

PROJECT DETAILS

Genre: TV Series, Documentary
Year: 2014
Episodes: 12
Length: 60 minutes
Network: Starz
Created by: Chris Moore
Series Writing Credits: Chris Moore
Series Directing Credits: Tony Sacco

R.L. STINE’S THE HAUNTING HOUR:
DON’T THINK ABOUT IT

For 13-year-old goth girl Cassie, fitting into a new school and neighborhood isn’t easy, but she entertains herself by playing pranks on the ‘Popular Kids and her little brother, Max.  As Halloween approaches, Cassie’s search for scares leads her to a mysterious Halloween store and an unusual book called the Evil Thing.  When Max begs her to read the book to him, Cassie finally gives in, ignoring the warning ‘Do Not Read Aloud.’  But it’s when they get to the last page of the book and is clear warning about the Evil Thing –  ‘Don’t think about it’ – that the spooky adventure really begins.

In partnership with Universal Studios and The Hatchery, an LA-based family entertainment company, Steeltown raised one-third equity to bring R.L. Stine’s “The Haunting Hour: Don’t Think About It” to Pittsburgh. The film has since appeared on Cartoon Network and ABC Family, re­ceived top ratings for its “tweens” demographic, reached an estimated 15 million viewers around the world, and returned residuals that are being reinvested in the region.

PROJECT DETAILS

Genre: TV/Made-for-DVD Movie
Year: 2007
Runtime: 1 hour 27 minutes
Distributor: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Written by: Dan Angel & Billy Brown
Novel Written by: R.L. Stine
Director: Alex Zamm

Cast
Emily Osment (Hannah Montana)
Brittany Curran (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody)
Cody Linley (Hannah Montana)
Tobin Bell (Saw)

THE SHOT FELT ‘ROUND THE WORLD

In 2011, Steeltown produced the documentary, The Shot Felt ‘Round the World, which tells the inspiring story about Jonas Salk and his team at the University of Pittsburgh Developed the first Polio Vaccine.  

In 2014, the documentary was adapted for the Smithsonian Channel, and renamed A Shot to Save the World. This new version which airs regularly on the Smithsonian Channel, features a rare interview with Bill Gates, who has made polio eradication the number one priority of his foundation, and artfully connects the Jonas Salk’s story to present-day efforts to finish the job of eradicating polio.

A Shot to Save the World was awarded a CINE Golden Eagle Award in the Science and Technology documentary category.  Now called The Polio Story: The Vaccine That Changed The World, in 2015, the film was adapted once again to air on the BBC.  The film’s premiere tripled the average audience for its timeslot.

THE NEXT REALITY STAR: PITTSBURGH

Thanks to all of you who participated in The Next Reality Star: Pittsburgh. It was no surprise to us that our city is full of great, funny, kind, smart and unique people. 

One Louder Productions, the company behind MTV’s Emmy award-winning hit show “MADE,” and the Pittsburgh Innovative Media Incubator held the second Pittsburgh-wide open casting competition to find Pittsburgh’s Next Reality Star.Pittsburgh’s Next Reality Star is supported by the Steeltown Entertainment Project, part of the Pittsburgh Innovative Media Incubator.

Steeltown adviser Bob Kusbit, Executive Producer of MTV’s Emmy award-winning hit show MADE, worked with fellow Steeltown adviser Ellen Berkman Davis, casting manager of the shows Survivor and Amazing Race, and the Pittsburgh Innovative Media Incubator to hold the first Pittsburgh-wide open casting competition to find Pittsburgh’s next reality star. Congratulations to Pittsburgh’s Next Reality Stars – Chet with his partner Bob, two farmers who raise exotic animals on their land while mentoring girls to become pageant contestants. 

FARM QUEENS SYNOPSIS:

Chet Welch bought a Pennsylvania farm so he and his partner, Bob, could raise horses, llamas, cows … and beauty queens. With 30 years experience as the director of the Miss Pennsylvania pageant, Chet knows what it takes to develop a winner – and believes the best place to do it is right on the farm. Chet and the reigning Miss Pennsylvania will coach hopeful pageant queens on how to go from barn to ball-gown as they prepare for the ultimate goal – the Miss America pageant!