`Blair Witch' Director Wants To Set Next Movie In Frederick

FREDERICK, Md. (WJZ) -- More movies and movie money could be coming to Maryland. This time, a well-known director wants to use Frederick as the setting for his next movie.

Monique Griego has more.

"There's just like this nostalgia kind of sadness to it," said filmmaker Eduardo Sanchez.

After years of decline, the Frederick Towne Mall is now officially abandoned and in the eyes of filmmaker Eduardo Sanchez, that makes it the perfect setting for his next movie project, a horror film appropriately titled "Maulers."

"It's an amazing location," Sanchez said. "A playground for a horror filmmaker."

Pictures from inside the building seem to show all the scary possibilities.

"It's totally creepy and they've told us when the lights are off at night, it's totally dark," he said.

Sanchez, who lives in Maryland, has already shot several films here. The most famous is probably the cult classic "The Blair Witch Project." Right now, he's trying to work out a deal with the mall's property owner to film before it's demolished.

The Frederick Film Office says it can only see positives.

"Helps the local businesses, residents and helps drive tourism," said Rick Kain, Frederick Film Office.

This year, Governor Martin O'Malley increased the state tax credit for TV and film production. Shows like Kevin Spacey's "House of Cards" and Showtime's "Veep" are set to have provided 3,200 jobs and used more than 2,900 local vendors. Those projects, combined with several independent films, are projected to bring in more than $247 million in revenue.

Sanchez is hoping to add to that.

"I think to capture it one last time in a movie, at least it's something more; give back to the mall before it's completely gone," he said.

Sanchez says the mall is set to be demolished in about four months, so he's hoping to get the deal done fast.