Lake Ariel region provides horror filmmakers perfect backdrop for their new movie

Jun. 6—To some, the natural beauty of Northeast Pennsylvania makes for the perfect tranquil scene. To Chuck and Karolina Morrongiello, it's perfect for a horror movie.

The husband-and-wife-production team are actors, directors and producers whose passion for filmmaking led them to create their production company 3 Rats Entertainment. Their latest gig brought them to NEPA where they're making a horror film with Avail Entertainment until June 15. With an aggressive shooting schedule, the movie — which has the working title "Bunny Killer" — started production Monday and will be entirely filmed in and around the Lake Ariel region, including Lacawac Sanctuary.

In addition to Lacawac and local roads in the village, the Morrongiellos and their cast and crew also will be shooting at Maplewood Methodist Cemetery and the Century 21 office; R Place on Route 590 in Hamlin, Clark's Sunrise Market in Honesdale, Walkers family farm and the Robinson family farm in South Canaan.

"The people and the businesses we've gotten to work with on this couldn't be any nicer. And there's really been a buzz in the area about this," Chuck Morrongiello said. "They're excited we're here. Man, the residents have just been amazing."

Though the Morrongiellos have no ties to the region, Chuck Morrongiello, a lifelong musician who played with the late Marty Balin in Jefferson Starship and Jefferson Airplane for years, found Lacawac while searching for a historic setting with a lush, woodsy backdrop.

"We're pretty excited about it. We have the property that can be suited for a lot of things. We obviously preserve it so it's here to enjoy, but it is perfect for this," said Craig Lukatch, president of Lacawac Sanctuary. "From what we know, it fits the theme of the movie."

"Bunny Killer" centers on a small, rural town turned upside down by brutal murders with seemingly no leads on who the killer is. As residents try to uncover what's happening, they discover a ghastly secret. The film is written and directed by Chuck Morrongiello, who also will appear in the film alongside his wife. Later, Karolina Morrongiello will switch from on camera to behind-the-scenes, editing the film.

"My character, she just lost her husband and she's coming to this lodge in the woods to get away from the big city. She's coming to paint and get her head together," Karolina Morrongiello said, adding that she's filmed some scenes inside the 1903 Lodge at Lacawac, which was originally a summer and hunting estate built by Scranton's Connell family.

It's a true gory, heart-racing scary movie that horror film buffs will love, Chuck Morrongiello said. He wrote the screenplay without holding back on how far his imagination could go.

"I wrote the screenplay in two days ... whenever I write, I sit down and just let any idea come to me. I take it as far as I can and just try to make a sick, cool horror film," he said.

The Morrongiellos already worked together on "Amityville Mt. Misery Road," inspired by the infamous Amityville Horror house that Chuck Morrongiello grew up near in his hometown, Long Island, New York. Though the two have day jobs — Chuck Morrongiello has a career with Northwestern Mutual and Karolina Morrongiello works in marketing — they encourage each others' artistic passions through music and acting (the couple usually scores their films, as well) in addition to writing and producing movies.

"We have this 'Moon-Zombie' thing going on," Chuck Morrongiello said, comparing himself and his wife to musician and filmmaker Rob Zombie and his wife, actress and muse Sheri Moon Zombie, who also have collaborated together on horror films and other projects. "We love horror movies and psychological thrillers."

For their latest horror feature, the couple, who lives in Florida, knew they needed a deep, dark forest setting, and through some research, Chuck Morrongiello found that NEPA fit the bill. He then sought out the Pennsylvania Film Office, a commission dedicated to bringing filmmakers to the Keystone State to make their movies, while also utilizing local expertise and talent, generating revenue. Looking for a historic lodge, Chuck Morrongiello stumbled upon Lacawac and fell in love with its history. He reached out to Lukatch, who jumped at the chance and the two coordinated schedules to make the production work. A few years ago, another horror film was supposed to shoot on the property and that project eventually fell through, Lukatch said. This makes Morrongiellos' the first film shot at Lacawac, with a bulk of scenes shot inside its historic lodge.

The Morroingiellos hired actors from outside the area, including Marley, a curly-haired canine actor featured in the film as the faithful companion to Karolina Morrongiello's grief-stricken character. They also recruited local talent to help with the shoot. Spring Brook Twp. resident Joshua Poplawski, who owns a Scranton-based photography and video production company Joshua Poplawski LLC, serves as director of photography on the film, with Tommy Kulikowski of Lakewood as first assistant camera, and Mark Naples of Pittston as director of audio. Additionally, Stevan McCrory is in the Army and was on assignment as a military liaison in Hollywood for years, coordinating between soldiers appearing in films and the films' crews. Currently completing his civilian apprenticeship at Lacawac, his career is coming full-circle now working as a production assistant on the Morrongiellos' film.

"These guys are a pleasure to work with," Chuck Morrongiello said. "They're fun, they're cool, they've been helping us out."

After filming wraps, the movie is set to come out sometime in early 2024. And thanks to the locals on set, the warm reception from residents and its distinct, aesthetically pleasing scenery, the Morrongiellos plan to return to NEPA to film future projects.

"The people in Pennsylvania are sweethearts. They have just opened their arms for us," he said. "They've been just amazing people. You guys are all great people."

Contact the writer: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127; @gmazurTT on Twitter.