From WKYC.Com

CLEVELAND -- The Film Tax Credit for Ohio is helping make the state an ideal backdrop for many film makers. Meanwhile at Cuyahoga Community College, more students are hoping to get into the industry.

Bobby Dorrace is studying film making at Tri-C Metro, hoping to become an editor for feature films one day.

"I've been given the opportunity to work with professionals on professional film sets. I've even been given the opportunity to work a paying job," Dorrace said of the doors that have opened for him in the past two years.

Creative Arts has become so popular a department at Tri-C, the community college built a new, $27 million dollar metro facility that will house classroom space for students in film, theatre, music and other arts programs.

Students and faculty gave tours of the new building Monday evening, where the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives will also be stored.

Edwin Michael Figueroa, an adjunct professor, commutes between New York City, Los Angeles and Cleveland on a weekly basis. He teaches cinematography at Tri-C, and says the technology and equipment used is top of the line.

"It's been excellent. I've had a lot of fun and we've got plenty of gear here to make things happen," Figueroa said.

It's the stuff used to create Hollywood blockbusters, but is also used on small budget films.

The executive director for the Greater Cleveland Film Commission says smaller budget films are boosting the local economy right now.

"Smaller budget movies hire locally, and use our infrastructure right here," said Ivan Schwarz.

Schwarz says the Ohio Film Tax Credit has helped. Qualifying production companies can receive up to $5 million in tax incentives for the local making of films, documentaries, commercials and other media.

Schwarz says since the incentive began in November 2009, five feature films have been made in Northeast Ohio, nine have qualified for the tax credit, and another six to seven are considering it.

"Before the incentive, we would get bits and pieces of films. We'd have five days of 'Spiderman' or three days of 'The Soloist.' Now we have whole projects shooting here," Schwarz said.

He points to a film that wrapped up two weeks ago: 'Freerunner' hired 80 percent of its production crew from Northeast Ohio.

Schwarz says for the five movies made since last year, about 1,000 people total have been hired.

Film students like Bobby Dorrace hope they won't even need to look past Ohio to find work.

"I think the students here, by the time they graduate, they're going to be in a good situation to succeed," Dorrace said.