BuckeyeLine

Film Office Advisory Group Holds Second Meeting

The Ohio Film Office Advisory Group held its second meeting on Nov. 6 in Columbus at the Vern Riffe Building. Ohio Film Office Director Christina Grozik updated the group on projects the office has been working on in recent months including FAM tours, location scouting, town hall meetings, Web site development and fielding production requests. She also shared the success that partners throughout the state have had with film/video production including commercials, television segments and photo shoots. Department of Development Communications Chief Kimber Perfect and State Tourism Director Amir Eylon discussed the state’s strategic plan and opportunities for partnerships. Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, who also is Director of the Ohio Department of Development, discussed the topic of a film tax incentive and the administration’s position on incentives.

The group conducted roundtable discussions approaching the question, “What should the state and regions be doing to promote the film/video Industry in Ohio, outside of enacting a film tax credit?” The group brainstormed on ideas and worked together to move toward growing the film/video production Industry in Ohio.

Film Office Welcomes Actor Will Smith

The Ohio Film Office welcomed actor Will Smith on Thursday, Nov. 20 when he visited Independence, Ohio, for a sneak preview of his new film, “Seven Pounds,” at the Cinemark Theater in Valley View. Ohio was one of five states the actor visited in support of his new movie. Peggy Zone-Fisher, wife of Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, presented Smith with a proclamation that recognized Smith’s charitable work. The actor spent the day visiting schools and made a sizable donation to the Cleveland Food Bank.

Those who came to the film screening were encouraged to bring a canned good with them to support the effort as well. The crowd gathered around the red carpet to greet Smith when he arrived and camera flashes were plentiful as Smith took time to sign autographs for the crowd. 

Cleveland Cavaliers star Lebron James also was in attendance to show his support. Ohio Film Office Director Christina Grozik encouraged Will Smith to bring his next project to Ohio, explaining all of the many reasons to do so. The night displayed a wonderful example of teamwork and partnership in making Ohio shine.

(Photo Caption: From left to right, WKYC TV-3 Cleveland News Anchorwoman Ramona Robinson, Actor Will Smith and Peggy Zone Fisher. Smith (center) holds a proclamation from Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher recognizing his charitable work)

Film Office Seeks Location FAM Tour Opportunities

Thank you on behalf of the Ohio Film Office to all of our partners who have assisted in building the initial phase of our location photo library by hosting Location FAM tours. Ohio Film Office Director Christina Grozik has covered a lot of ground in the past couple of months (at least 15 counties!) both on FAM Tours and general scouting trips to develop a library of location photos. The photos will be used to promote Ohio as a potential location for film/video/commercial productions. Following is a list of areas covered to-date:

• Erie
• Huron
• Licking
• Lorain
• Lucas
• Mahoning
• Miami
• Muskingum
• Ottawa
• Richland
• Stark
• Summit
• Tuscarawas
• Washington
• Wayne

If you have some sites you think would be great for productions and are interested in coordinating a FAM tour for the Film Office, please contact Christina at (614) 644-5156. Your continued interest and assistance is greatly appreciated.

Teamwork and Partnerships Continue to Build Ohio Film Office

The Ohio Film Office recently partnered with Tourism and Production Industry members to field requests for many diverse types of film/video production requests. Following are a few of the more significant projects:

• A photo shoot with Microsoft
• A Warner Bros. feature film “The Informant” directed by Steven Soderbergh (executive producer of “Michael Clayton,” “Good Night and Good Luck”)
• BBC Television
• A Toyota commercial in Cleveland and Chagrin Falls
• Parallel Media’s feature film “Demoted” starring Michael Vartan (“Jolene,” “Rogue,” “One Hour Photo”)

Thanks to the assistance of Ohio’s Travel Industry, the Ohio Film Office has been able to act quickly and build relationships with a number of production companies. Thank you for your time and efforts -- we are excited to work with you in the future to attract additional production projects to our state.

In the spirit of partnership, we would like to recognize some recent success stories from Ohio’s City Film Bureaus and Ohio Production Partners including:

• Country Music Television’s “Top 20 Countdown” program featured numerous Dayton-area sites;
• ABC’s episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” in the Cincinnati area;
• ESPN’s current magazine issue containing a photo shoot with Professional Boxer Kelly Pavlik inside his gym in Youngstown;
• VH1’s “Top 20 Countdown” with host Alison Becker in the Cincinnati area;
• Ohio-based law firm Betras, Maruca, Kopp & Harshman’s series of high-definition advertising spots shot in multiple locations including Canfield, Niles and East Liverpool;
• A segment for HGTV currently being shot in and around the Columbus area.

Again, the Ohio Film Office and the Tourism Division thank everyone for all the hard work our Industry has put forth in promoting Ohio as the ideal destination for production shoots.

(Photo caption: On the set with ESPN and Boxer Kelly Pavlik in Youngstown)

Ohio Film Office Recognizes Wayne County’s Work in Disney Shoot

The Ohio Film Office would again like to thank all the partners that assisted with the scout for Disney’s commercial shoot of a baseball field surrounded by a cornfield. We are fortunate to say that we were successful in bringing the project to the area, but it wouldn’t have happened without the help of our partners.

When we first received the call from Disney about the location they were seeking, we knew this was no ordinary location. Searching nationwide, Disney was particularly interested in one location that we submitted from Wayne County and requested additional photos. After calling our partners at the Wayne County Convention and Visitors Bureau, who originally submitted the photos, we asked for their help, and without any hesitation or pause, they agreed. We put in a nearly 22-hour day when all was done to get the shots and information we needed to convince Disney our site in Ohio would meet their needs.

Thanks to the work of everyone involved in Wayne County, Disney began moving a production crew into the area and hired members of the local community to assist. In their preparation phase, they were seeking out actors to play baseball, and a local baseball team was hired to fill the role.

The production allowed the boys’ families to watch from the sidelines. The excitement and enthusiasm remained heightened throughout it all. Following the last shot, the production team hosted a cookout for everyone. This is a great example of the teamwork the Ohio Film Office strives to have with Industry members, and we would like to thank Wayne County CVB Executive Director Martha Starkey and Jacki Chamberlain for all of their work in bringing this project to Ohio! 

(Photo caption--Top: The Ohio Film Office on the set with Disney in Wayne County; Bottom: The Tri-Way Allstars Baseball Team lends a helping hand and their natural talent during the Disney shoot.)

Ohio Film Office Hosts First Advisory Group Meeting

On July 8, Ohio Film Office Director Christina Grozik conducted the first Ohio Film Office Advisory Group meeting in Columbus. The group consists of 40 Ohio production industry professionals from various aspects of the film/video industry including production companies, equipment rental house facilities, advertising agencies, Ohio-based corporations, educational institutions, economic development organizations and Ohio’s three regional film commissions. Their task is to provide advice and feedback on how the office can attraction more production and film work to Ohio. During the meeting, Ohio Film Office Director Christina Grozik led brainstorming discussions on how to recruit new production business to the state while retaining and growing industry business in Ohio. The Film Advisory Group will meet quarterly to examine important topics pertaining to building Ohio as a production destination.

Inaugural Meeting of Ohio Film Advisory Group Set for July 8

On July 8, the Ohio Film Office Advisory Group will gather for their first meeting to provide feedback and ideas as to how we can grow Ohio’s production industry. The 40-member Advisory Group consists of industry professionals representing production companies, rental house facilities, advertising agencies, educational institutions, regional film commission offices and partner offices throughout the state. This group will support the efforts of the Ohio Film Office and act as ambassadors throughout the state to recruit and retain the film/video production industry. Christina Grozik, Director of the Ohio Film Office, will lead the group in carrying out their mission.

Ohio Film Office Wraps Locations Trade Show 2008

Ohio Film Director, Christina Grozik, along with the Greater Cincinnati and Cleveland Film Commissions brought Ohio to Hollywood during the Locations Trade Show in Santa Monica, CA, April 10-12. The team attracted 187 visitors to Ohio’s booth to discuss the Buckeye State as a potential site for film/video production work and distribute our “Why Ohio” information. The event had international representation and was attended by industry types including producers, directors, location managers, studio executives and independent filmmakers looking for a place to shoot their next project.

(Photo caption: From left to right, Sara Dering and Kristen Erwin and Christina Grozik maintained the industry's film presence in Santa Monica in April for the 2008 Locations Trade Show)