Accepting the Cable TV We Think We Deserve: Verizon Hosts Screening of "Perks" at Local Pittsburgh Theater

With movies like "The Dark Knight Rises," "Jake Reacher" and "Promised Land" recently filmed in Pittsburgh, the city is quickly garnering the reputation as the Tinseltown of the East.

To celebrate the debut of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" (another locally filmed movie) on Verizon’s FiOS TV video-on-demand service, nearly 200 FiOS TV customers, movie buffs and employees attended on Jan. 29 a free screening of the film at the historic Hollywood Theater in Dormont, a Pittsburgh suburb. Several scenes in the movie were filmed at the theater.

Verizon had distributed tickets to FiOS TV customers through a variety of local events and social media channels to show appreciation to its loyal customers in the Pittsburgh area. Select Verizon employees also received tickets as recognition for outstanding job performances. (For pictures from the event, click here.)

"Verizon was thrilled to offer this special movie event to its valued customers in the Pittsburgh market," said Bill Carnahan, vice president of external affairs for Verizon. "We’re also excited to offer ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ on FiOS TV’s industry-leading On Demand service, which offers 50,000 titles for our customers."

Russ Streiner, chairman of the board for the Pittsburgh Film Office, provided opening remarks about the film and its Pittsburgh connections, and all patrons enjoyed free popcorn and soda as they tried to spot Pittsburgh area landmarks throughout the film.

Based on the best-selling novel by Pittsburgh native Stephen Chbosky, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" tells the story of an introverted high school freshman who is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him into the real world. Chbosky directed the film, which stars Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller, Dylan McDermott, Paul Rudd and Kate Walsh. The film was shot in part on locations throughout the Pittsburgh area that held special memories for Chbosky.

"I’m very proud to be from Pittsburgh and to have had the opportunity to film on the streets of my hometown," said Chbosky, who was unable to attend the screening. "It was amazing being able to show the world what the Fort Pitt Tunnel is really like and how cool the Hollywood Theater is, where I first saw the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I’ll never forget those experiences, and I love filming in Pittsburgh."

To see exclusive interviews with Logan Lerman and Stephen Chbosky discussing the film, click here.