Aug 2, 2002 By Amy Karpinsky 7 min read

WHARTON TWP. – The vacant Great Meadows Amphitheater could become the site of the first movie studio in the state and the hottest tourism attraction in the eastern United States, according to a group of film producers. Just two days after the Fayette County Commissioners’ deadline to accept proposals for use of the 130-acre site, several of the key players in Fayette Films LLC visited the amphitheater Thursday morning to share their vision and plans. County commissioner Ronald M. Nehls said the company presented the only viable proposal for the site.

Nehls has been working behind the scenes with key players in the company for months in an effort to bring the plan to fruition.

In the proposal, Fayette Films LLC plans to lease the property for a five-year term that will generate $540,000 in revenue. The proposal also calls for options to renew the lease for additional five-year terms with increases in rent each term as well as an option to purchase the property for $500,000.

A member of the development group is Doris Keating-Schlesinger, who has produced numerous movies for CBS, NBC and the Family Channel. A self-described world traveler, she said the amphitheater is in “one of the most beautiful areas in the world.”

She said for a movie studio to work, an area with already established tourist routes and community involvement is needed.

“What you need is a spark,” said Keating-Schlesinger, whose father was Errol Flynn’s manager. “We can help with your overall approach to tourism. We want to give Fayette County a spark.

Keating-Schlesinger said she’s familiar with real estate as her husband is Barry Schlesinger, the chairman of one of largest real estate development companies in the country. She said her husband has moved from developing shopping centers to concentrating on entertainment based real estate.

“Coming in and rebuilding towns is exciting to him,” Keating-Schlesinger said.

“So far it feels really good. The site is fabulous. We can turn it into a real showcase for the county,” she said.

If everything can be worked out, Keating-Schlesinger said they could have something available in early spring.

Keating-Schlesinger and two other members of the development group attended an impromptu tour and meet-and-greet session with numerous county and Uniontown city leaders, business leaders, community development, tourist and economic development representatives.

Others attending from the group were Jason Thomas, a writer and film studio developer with a ranch in Wyoming, and Ira Coldren Jr., a Uniontown attorney and senior partner in Coldren-Adams law firm.

“We propose to use the amphitheater property for the production of films and for stage productions which will make full use of the amphitheater facilities. We anticipate that these activities will generate substantial tourist interest. These uses will create the need for film studios and motion picture backlots on the premises,” the proposal states.

In welcoming the group, commission chairman Vincent A. Vicites said he thinks it is an exciting project. “This facility has a lot of potential and we’re here to work with you every step of the way,” Vicites said.

Commissioner Sean M. Cavanagh said Fayette County is a wonderful venue for movies, with many hills, valleys and mountains.

“We have the crown jewels of tourism in Pennsylvania including Ohiopyle and Fallingwater,” he said.

“We would love Hollywood to come to Fayette County,” Cavanagh added.

Despite the presence of the media, Nehls explained that the gathering was not a formal press conference, but merely a chance for everyone to get together. After viewing the site, the group was taken around the county to various spots of interest.

Looking around at the supportive group, Thomas said he was “amazed” at what has happened in six months.

“I couldn’t believe there was so much in such a condensed area,” he said. Thomas said he started a movie studio in North Carolina that now makes $3.6 billion a year. “And I think you have everything here that North Carolina had,” he said.

Thomas added that there is an excellent film office in Pittsburgh.

When first visiting the area, Thomas said he “saw setting after setting.” He also said he was impressed with downtown Uniontown.

“It’s hard to believe a facility like this is sitting empty anywhere in America,” Thomas said. Initially, he said plans are to make four films a year, provide tours and have a variety of live entertainment at the 1,500-seat facility. Among the entertainment will be “Old Time Meller Dramas,” with villains, heroes and audience participation, Christian music Sundays, and soap opera specials.

Thomas said they already have a script for the first film. He earlier said that will be “The Glitter Tree,” a Christmas tale about a little girl and her giant dog.

In addition to the actors, directors and producers, Keating-Schlesinger said the company will also need electricians, carpenters and painters.

“We will have a training program. It’s a matter of enthusiasm,” she said. Among the possibilities are working with universities to get computer animation specialists for special effects. She said a big special effects person in Hollywood is dying of cancer and is willing to donate about a million dollars worth of equipment to a program in his name.

“I see production companies following us here,” Thomas added.

Barely hiding her enthusiasm, Keating-Schlesinger said they could set up tours and can create all kinds of shows.

“The idea is to get people to come to visit the county for three days,” she said.

Thomas said he envisioned bus tours, with tourists spending a half-day at the amphitheater and a half-day at the winery. He said near his ranch in Wyoming, the landmark Devils Tower that was featured in the move “ET,’ still gets 3 1/2 million visitors per year. “And that was 22 years ago,” he said.

Before the process can begin, Nehls said they are reviewing the process involved in leasing the land. Vicites said since the proposals are in, between now and next week, the commissioners will accept this proposal.

“It will have to be a work in progress,” he said. “We need to get through all the steps necessary to make it a reality.”

Cavanagh was more optimistic. “It’s just a matter of time,” he said. “We’re committed to getting it done.”

Coldren, the driving force behind bringing his partners to Fayette County, said the local ownership is a limited liability company and there will be an opportunity for local investors down the road.

According to the RFP (request for proposals) advertised by the county, the site along Route 40 is zoned C-1, conservation district with a non-conforming use as an outdoor theater. The site includes an admission building, rain shelters, the 1,500-foot amphitheater with 500 permanent seats; a covered and expandable stage a dressing room building, a prop show and a parking lot. Three parcels are included- a 6.1-acre tract containing the amphitheater conveyed to the county last year; a 122.8175-acre tract conveyed to the county in 1967 and a 4.4122-acre tract conveyed to the county in 1972.

The Fayette County Development Council owns the largest tract. Before the state removes the limitations imposed by the “Project 70 Land Acquisition and Borrowing Act,” those two tracts (not including the amphitheater tract) of the property can only be used for recreation, conservation and historical purposes.

In the proposal, Fayette Films LLC agrees to pay all utilities, handle all maintenance and keep insurance on the buildings.