This Valentine's Day, we'll be celebrating one of our first loves: the long, colorful history of Philadelphia video production. We feel honored not only to call the city home, but to base our small business here, as well. Join us in showing our love for video production in Philadelphia by watching these Philly-filmed movies.
1) The Sixth Sense (1999)
When we think of video production in Philadelphia, director M. Night Shyamalan often comes to mind. Shyamalan grew up in the suburbs of Philly and has done much of his work in the city. The Sixth Sense was the director's first hit and established the tone for his following body of work. The movie tells the story of a child psychologist and his patient who can "see dead people," proving to remain an iconic piece of plot-twist storytelling since its release. Many prominent Philadelphia locations are used throughout the film, including St. Augustine Church in Old City and the Swann Memorial Fountain at Logan Circle. The Sixth Sense received widespread critical acclaim upon its opening box office weekend and continues to be a cult favorite today, earning spot #89 on The American Film Institute's list of top 100 films.
2) Hustle (2022)
Another film created by a Philadelphia local, Hustle is a fantastic movie that uses the city (and its basketball scene) as its own vital character. We have a bit of a soft spot for this film, as Director Jeremiah Zagar was born and raised in our very own South Philadelphia and even pays homage to our North Philly alma mater Temple University! Adam Sandler plays a recruiter for the Philadelphia 76ers on a journey to prove himself and the talent of a player he discovers in Spain. The dedication and grit of the characters portrayed throughout the film is an apt reflection of the city's attitude itself. A plethora of Philadelphia (and Philadelphia suburb) locations were used in the film's production, such as the Wells Fargo Center, Melrose Diner, Manayunk Wall, La Salle University, and more. Hustle was met with general success, and Sandler has been applauded for his work in the movie.
3) Rocky (1976)
There was no way we could make this list without including Rocky. While it's not one of our favorite films, it is unquestionably one of the the most iconic works of video production ever filmed in Philadelphia. In fact, the film has left such an impact on its setting that a Rocky statue has been added outside the Philadelphia Art Museum steps. Visitors often line up to visit the statue of the fictional boxer before climbing the monumental steps themselves. Writer and star Sylvester Stallone attended high school in Philadelphia, which no doubt inspired the choice as a backdrop for his gritty underdog story. Rocky, which follows the titular rags-to-riches underground boxer, features a myriad of Philly locations. In addition to the museum steps, Independence Hall, the Italian Market, Pat's King of Steaks, and more local favorites can be spotted throughout the film. Rocky was widely met with success upon its release, and has since become a cult favorite. Not only has the film left its mark on Philadelphia, it's also secured preservation in the National Film Registry by the US Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Angela Wolf Video offers corporate video production services near Philadelphia, PA. Do you have a specific video question? Schedule a free video analysis call at bit.ly/callawv