Upcoming Horror Movie—'Croaker'—to be Filmed in Canonsburg

Canonsburg will soon be the backdrop for a horror movie being filmed locally.

Filmmaker Fred Terling recently announced that first independent feature film, "Croaker," will be shot on location in the borough.

Preliminary filming began this past weekend, breaking the seal on production. 

The film is a throwback to old monster movies of the early 1970s, and takes place where the concept was originally inspired and written—the banks of Chartiers Creek in Canonsburg. 

An online fundraising page for the film gives the following synopsis:

"Florian Sirko and his one-time love, Macy Patterson face a problem. A curse was originally cast from the attack of Haidamark Cossacks on Nemirov Poland, 1648, spawning a mythological creature, the Vodnik. This curse now plagues the Sirko family and the citizens of his town are paying with their souls. Macy is of course hesitant to believe urban legend as is local County Sherriff, Ben Cade, who suspects Florian is dealing with the grief of losing his brother in a more sinister way."

With support from Mayor David H. Rhome and several local businesses, the film is becoming a town event.

“It was important for me to film in my hometown where the story originated.  Since I wrote it in and about Canonsburg, it seemed logical that we film it there,” Terling, writer and director of the film, said.

This film is based on the relationship of four friends and two brothers who are victims of a 15^th Century curse. 

The curse unleashes a monster from Slavicfolklore—the Vodnik. 

“It’s a very different kind of monster movie," the director said. "Unlike contemporary horror films, the creature is actually in the background of the story. It’s more about how relationships between family and friends are difficult to recapture because of absence and time."

Initial distribution of the film has been secured for Amazon, iTunes and Netflix and will hit the secondary film market on Oct. 1. 

People can support the filmthrough the Indiegogo Project here.

The project page includes an introduction by the filmmaker and the initial teaser for the film.

Terling's goal for the campaign is $25,000. As of Thursday morning, more than $3,000 had been pledged. Donations of $20 and more come with memorabilia. Those who donate $20, for example, will recieve a DVD copy of "Croaker."

Join Patch for more community news or join us on Facebook and Twitter.