Greg Swartz

Internet surfers will be able to get a peek behind the scenes of a movie set beginning Feb. 24 when filming begins around Harrisburg and Lancaster on the comedy, "Hollywood, Pa."

As part of the project, area residents will see a replica of the famous "Hollywood" sign erected on a hillside in Wormleysburg sometime before March 10.

The movie is written and directed by Camp Hill native Greg Swartz. The website for the movie at www.hollywoodpa.com claims this will be the first time the process of making a movie is being broadcast live on the Internet.

"We want people to participate in and feel a part of our little movie," Swartz says in an interview on the website.

The movie tells the story of Gordy, a filmmaker who returns from Los Angeles to his fictional hometown of Holly Ridge, Pa. He refuses to give up his dream of making the world's greatest documentary and decides to broadcast his entire life over the Internet.

Swartz says the plot has some autobiographical elements in that he, like Gordy, would have to move back in with his parents if his career in Los Angeles falls apart.

Swartz says he has wanted to be a filmmaker ever since he saw "Star Wars" as a child. He saw the movie in theaters 18 times.

But the Camp Hill High School graduate began his career elsewhere. After graduating from Millersville University, he worked for several newspapers, eventually landing a full-time job at the Lancaster New Era. He also had two articles published in The Sentinel, one a feature on a night bowling league.

After five years in journalism, he moved to California in March 1997, hoping to make it big in Hollywood. He has paid his rent mostly by designing lighting for television commercials. He wrote "Hollywood, Pa." in his spare time.

Swartz decided to return home to film the movie primarily because it is where the movie is set, but also because "I knew I'd get a lot of support back there," he said Wednesday.

Cast members include Amber Benson, who has appeared in a few episodes of the television series "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer," and webcam pioneer Jennifer Ringley from Jennicam.org. Ms. Ringley is a graduate of Dickinson College in Carlisle and a former Sentinel employee.

Swartz expects to complete filming by the end of March.