Reading and Berks County, PA Americana Region
Info
Locations
Incentives
Film Credits
Contact
Introduction to Reading and Berks County, PA Americana Region
The Reading & Berks County Visitors Bureau and the Reading Film Office have experienced, full-time staff dedicated to assisting film, television and multi-media productions interested in shooting in Berks County.
The region has supported all types of filmmakers, from blockbuster films like The Lovely Bones to commercials, streaming content and independent films. Fairytale-esque castles, vacant mansions, creek-side mills, and authentic railroads are all part of what Reading and Berks County have to offer filmmakers.
Productions That Call Reading and Berks County Home
Reading and Berks County, Pennsylvania, offer a cinematic range—from historic main streets and the iconic Reading Pagoda to industrial heritage sites, rolling farmland, and the Schuylkill River corridor. Explore the locations that can turn your story into striking visuals and envision your project as the next to make its mark here.
Production Credits
-
AARP Commercial
-
Mack Truck Commercial
-
Vossen Wheels website/marketing production
-
Buck Mason website/marketing production
-
Accused: Guilty or Innocent (Hulu Documentary)
-
Untitled TLC Dating Reality Series
-
Simon Biles Rising Netflix documentary (partial)
-
Untitled Gordon Ramsay Reality Series (partial)
A Few Filming Locations in Reading and Berks County, PA
JESUIT CENTER
STOKESAY CASTLE
READING BLUE MOUNTAIN & NORTHERN RAILROAD
GRINGS MILL
JESUIT CENTER
The English Renaissance Novate Building, completed in 1929, is surrounded by 240 landscaped acres. It features winding walking paths, mature trees and manicured lawns with panoramic countryside views. The interior of the vacant property is decorated with authentic and ornate adornments, including stained glass windows, grand staircases, intricately carved woodwork, and original chapel spaces. The space is ideal for period pieces and spiritual thrillers, showcasing the unique grandeur of a bygone era.
Learn More
STOKESAY CASTLE
Built in 1931, the 32,000-square-foot mansion resides on over 10 acres and was inspired by medieval English architecture. It boasts opulent banquet halls, a gorgeous ballroom with vaulted ceilings, a restaurant, and a pub, exuding a storybook-type appeal. Dramatic stone exteriors, wrought iron accents, Gothic and Tudor revival styles, and landscaped blooming gardens are some of the features of this versatile backdrop.
Learn More
READING BLUE MOUNTAIN & NORTHERN RAILROAD
This is an active railroad with several steam and diesel locomotives dating from 1913 to 1954. Rail cars from 1889 through the 1950s, including Open Air, Vista Dome, First Class Lounge, Sleeping, Pullman, and many others, bring you back in time. The railroad is a perfect location for filming period pieces, dramas, transportation scenes, and other thrilling genres. It also provides authentic and historically accurate rail cars for impressive shots.
Learn More
GRINGS MILL
Now a 33-acre recreation area, the Mill was built along the Tulpehocken Creek in 1811, surrounded by serene natural landscapes. The house was built in 1831, the barn in 1896, and the pedestrian-only girder bridge in 1931, giving the location an authentic rural Americana feel. Wooded trails, creek-side views and mill buildings create a rugged and natural backdrop, perfect for historical films and romantic scenes.
Learn More
Reading & Berks County, PA — Film Incentives in a Nutshell
-
25% base + 5% stage bonus (up to 30%)
-
Spend 60% of your total budget inside Pennsylvania and you unlock a 25% transferable tax credit on all qualified in-state costs. Film In PA
-
Stage or shoot at a Qualified Production Facility and the credit climbs to 30%. PA DCED
-
-
Extra cost-cutters unique to Pennsylvania
-
Hotel-occupancy tax is waived once cast or crew stay 30+ consecutive nights. Reading Film Office
-
State-owned locations are fee-free (you pay only incremental agency costs). Reading Film Office
-
- Location leverage
-
-
Base your shoot 1 hour from Philadelphia gear houses and 2½ hours from NYC talent pools, while capturing country lanes, Victorian factories, and urban streetscapes within a 20-minute radius.
-
Reading Film Office delivers free location pulls, crew/vendor rosters, permit help and incentive paperwork coaching—so you bank the rebate without the red tape.
-
Learn More About Rebates & Incentives
Unlock the Perfect Backdrop for Your Production
CONTACT
Reading & Berks County Visitors Bureau
Margo DeRouchie
margo@VisitPaAmericana.com
(610) 375-4085
https://www.visitpaamericana.com/local-info/film/