New York University film student Heather Ferreira poses with her camera Tuesday in the lobby of the Yorktowne Hotel. (Bill Kalina photo)

At first glance, southcentral Pennsylvania and Texas have very little in common.

But one New York City film director and writer is using York and surrounding counties as a fill in for the Lone Star State.

Heather Ferreira, a New York University film student, is using York City as her home base as she shoots a feature film in the area.

She's also using the city as the backdrop for a Texas town in her film, "The Revelation."

"The buildings here, the architecture, is extraordinarily

beautiful," Ferreira said.

The film, a supernatural thriller, tells the tale of a Catholic priest and an atheist, who are questioning their faith or lack thereof, and stumble across a cursed Texas town.

Found: Ferreira, a sophomore at NYU who took a year off to shoot "The Revelation," said she came across York by accident.

After shooting a few sequences of the movie at Albright College in Reading, she began searching for a place she could call home during filming and stumbled across York City.

After booking a room at the Yorktowne Hotel, 48 E. Market St., Ferreira drove around the city and decided to use York as the backdrop for the Texas town.

"York, in some places, fills in for this town," she said.

Filming, which started earlier this month, has also taken place in surrounding areas, including Red Lion.

However, filming has ceased for now because of problems with some crew members. Filming is expected to start up again shortly, Ferreira said.

"The picture is about a town that is cursed, and I'm starting to think my crew is cursed," she said.

Filming was supposed to wrap on Nov. 15, but because of the disruptions, which led to the recasting of some actors, and the holidays, filming is due to wrap up in February.

'Massé': Ferreira isn't the only director who recently opted to shoot a movie in York City.

Creative partners Taylor and Courtney Shumway, who own and operate Bad Ferret Films at 17 W. Market St., are in the midst of shooting their film "Massé" in the city.

A number of scenes were shot at Cobblestone's Restaurant & Sports Emporium, 205 S. George St. A few additional scenes, including one that Taylor hopes will be shot in the York County Administrative Center -- the former courthouse at 28 E. Market St.-- still need to be shot.

Taylor said "Massé," a twisted love story between a pool hustler and his old flame, will likely be submitted to a few film festivals in hopes of finding a distributor.

"The Revelation" will also likely be submitted to film festivals, including Sundance and Cannes, and will be shopped around at Lionsgate and Paramount Pictures film studios, Ferreira said.

'Yorkywood': Both Taylor and Ferreira said they've been impressed with the caliber of talent in the area.

A number of local actors were used in "Massé" and "The Revelation." Ferreira said she hopes to bring in additional local actors to be in her film.

Dubbing York City "Yorkywood," Ferreira said she'd like to see other filmmakers descend upon the area to shoot movies.

"It'd like to see York take a higher profile," she said.

Be a star:

Ever want to see yourself on the big screen? This could be your chance.

Writer/director Heather Ferreira is looking for extras for her film "The Revelation."

Those interested should send an email to legal@sellinofilms.com.

For more information about Bad Ferret Films, go to badferret.com.

-- Reach Greg Gross at ggross@yorkdispatch.com.