Sunday, August 7, 2011
Iowa Film Featured Prominently at the Rural Route Film Festival in New York
Iowa is featured quite prominently in this article in the New York Times about the Rural Route Film Festival in Queens (in New York City):
Thursday, August 4, 2011
From Quad Cities Times
Mel Brooks is cooking up a new horror film to be made in Rock Island.
The $5 million movie - "Pizzaman" - will start shooting in September and is the latest non-comedy project from Brooksfilms, which made "The Elephant Man" (1980), "The Fly" (1986), "The Fly II" (1989) and "84 Charing Cross Road" (1987).
Mr. Brooks, the 85-year-old comedy guru, is best known for spoofs such as "Blazing Saddles," "Young Frankenstein," "The Producers," "High Anxiety" and "Spaceballs," as well as the Broadway musical hit version of "The Producers" (which originated as a straight film in 1968 starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder).
The project has been in development at least three years, and while the plot remains under wraps, Hollywood Reporter said the screenwriters are longtime Brooks collaboratorsRudy De LucaandSteve Haberman, who co-wrote 1995's "Dracula: Dead and Loving It," produced by Brooksfilms.
"Pizzaman" will be the film directing debut of Mr. Haberman, who co-wrote the comedy "Screw Loose" (1999), which starred Mr. Brooks.
The Quad-Cities helped land the new film because Great River Production principal Rainer Soehnlein is a business partner of Mr. Brooks, said Doug Miller, GRS co-founder and executive in charge.
GRS, a consulting andproduction management company at 1724 4th Ave., Rock Island, launched in June to help attract and assist other Quad-Cities film and television production. It's separate from GreatRiverProductions, which was formed to make the $15 million computer-generated film "Troll," which is still waiting for final legislative approval of a change in Illinois film tax-credit law to start production.
"Great River Studios has been in communications with the production company and is awaiting approval of the Illinois Film Office," Mr. Miller said of "Pizzman"'s application for state tax credits.
Betsy Steinberg, managing director for the Illinois Film Office, said her office has received an application from Brooksfilms for the movie, but could not provide details. The production will be eligible for tax credits, but Brooksfilms won't be reimbursed until after the production ends and the state audits its expenditures, she said.
The film will shoot in the area for five weeks, and be released in theaters next year, Mr. Miller said.
Ms. Steinberg said she hopes GRS succeeds because "we're hoping to grow outside of Chicagoland." The Matt Damon film "The Informant" was shot in Decatur and Springfield, and the new Superman flick, "Man of Steel," is being filmed in Plano, west of Chicago, she said.
Mr. Miller said they hope to hire as much "local" as possible. "We need expertise in areas leaning heavily toward special effects."
He said he expects many film professionals from the Chicago area will work on the movie, which will be the biggest-budget film made in the Illinois Q-C, he said. "Sugar" (2008), a baseball movie made in Davenport and Burlington, had a similar-sized budget.
"They want something that looks like suburban America, which is what we do very well," Mr. Miller said.
The fact that this low-budget horror film is atypical for Mr. Brooks is interesting, he said."He's so known for his comedies, a lot of people don't realize he gave David Lynch (who produced "Blue Velvet," "Twin Peaks" and "Mulholland Drive") his start.
Auditions will be scheduled soon for "Pizzaman."
The $5 million movie - "Pizzaman" - will start shooting in September and is the latest non-comedy project from Brooksfilms, which made "The Elephant Man" (1980), "The Fly" (1986), "The Fly II" (1989) and "84 Charing Cross Road" (1987).
Mr. Brooks, the 85-year-old comedy guru, is best known for spoofs such as "Blazing Saddles," "Young Frankenstein," "The Producers," "High Anxiety" and "Spaceballs," as well as the Broadway musical hit version of "The Producers" (which originated as a straight film in 1968 starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder).
The project has been in development at least three years, and while the plot remains under wraps, Hollywood Reporter said the screenwriters are longtime Brooks collaboratorsRudy De LucaandSteve Haberman, who co-wrote 1995's "Dracula: Dead and Loving It," produced by Brooksfilms.
"Pizzaman" will be the film directing debut of Mr. Haberman, who co-wrote the comedy "Screw Loose" (1999), which starred Mr. Brooks.
The Quad-Cities helped land the new film because Great River Production principal Rainer Soehnlein is a business partner of Mr. Brooks, said Doug Miller, GRS co-founder and executive in charge.
GRS, a consulting andproduction management company at 1724 4th Ave., Rock Island, launched in June to help attract and assist other Quad-Cities film and television production. It's separate from GreatRiverProductions, which was formed to make the $15 million computer-generated film "Troll," which is still waiting for final legislative approval of a change in Illinois film tax-credit law to start production.
"Great River Studios has been in communications with the production company and is awaiting approval of the Illinois Film Office," Mr. Miller said of "Pizzman"'s application for state tax credits.
Betsy Steinberg, managing director for the Illinois Film Office, said her office has received an application from Brooksfilms for the movie, but could not provide details. The production will be eligible for tax credits, but Brooksfilms won't be reimbursed until after the production ends and the state audits its expenditures, she said.
The film will shoot in the area for five weeks, and be released in theaters next year, Mr. Miller said.
Ms. Steinberg said she hopes GRS succeeds because "we're hoping to grow outside of Chicagoland." The Matt Damon film "The Informant" was shot in Decatur and Springfield, and the new Superman flick, "Man of Steel," is being filmed in Plano, west of Chicago, she said.
Mr. Miller said they hope to hire as much "local" as possible. "We need expertise in areas leaning heavily toward special effects."
He said he expects many film professionals from the Chicago area will work on the movie, which will be the biggest-budget film made in the Illinois Q-C, he said. "Sugar" (2008), a baseball movie made in Davenport and Burlington, had a similar-sized budget.
"They want something that looks like suburban America, which is what we do very well," Mr. Miller said.
The fact that this low-budget horror film is atypical for Mr. Brooks is interesting, he said."He's so known for his comedies, a lot of people don't realize he gave David Lynch (who produced "Blue Velvet," "Twin Peaks" and "Mulholland Drive") his start.
Auditions will be scheduled soon for "Pizzaman."
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Boston.Com Article
DEVENS
The Boston Globe
Studio proposal delights officials
Local developer plans film complex
By Scott Van Voorhis
Globe Correspondent / July 31, 2011
A proposal for a Hollywood-style movie studio at the Devens complex is wowing state and local officials eager to bring new jobs to the former military base in the wake of the Evergreen Solar fiasco.
The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, which owns the old base, is in talks to sell a prime tract of land - and provide millions of tax incentives - to a local developer with plans for setting up a studio.
And the $104 million proposal, with the potential to turn Devens into the headquarters of the Massachusetts film industry, has won an early endorsement from officials in the communities that share the former Army property.
Ayer Selectman James Fay said he is encouraged by the proposed studio project, which would provide facilities for the growing number of Hollywood productions shooting in Massachusetts.
Fay said he is cautious about the use of tax incentives to lure companies after the Evergreen debacle, in which the Marlborough-based solar-panel manufacturer used the breaks to build a factory at Devens, only to shut it down this winter, taking with it more than 800 jobs. However, he also said the $5 million sum is relatively modest compared with the $58 million package doled out to the now-struggling Evergreen.
“I have said all along Devens should focus on manufacturing,’’ Fay said, adding the studio complex, in his view, would be “manufacturing films.’’
MJM Development LLC, which is based in Andover, hopes to win approval from MassDevelopment by the end of the year to begin construction on the first phase of a 600,000-square-foot studio complex.
The project is slated to take shape on vacant land on Jackson Road, across from the Bristol-Myers Squibb plant at Devens.
The developer plans to build the project over 10 years, with an initial, $30 million phase to feature four 18,000-square-foot sound stages that would be suitable for rental to everything from big-budget movie productions to commercials. The complex would have a permanent staff of around 40, with hundreds of other positions working out of the studios at any one time, based on the various movies, TV shows, and other productions being filmed there, according to MJM.
The developer is also exploring the potential for converting what was once officer housing at nearby Sherman Square into dorms for a film school, though there are no pending plans to buy the site, said Michael Meyers, MJM’s managing partner.
“It makes a very good opportunity for the region,’’ Fay said. “It’s not on the scale of what Evergreen could have been, but at least it will be a success.’’
Along with Fay, others are also throwing their support behind the studio proposal.
The Boston Globe
Studio proposal delights officials
Local developer plans film complex
By Scott Van Voorhis
Globe Correspondent / July 31, 2011
A proposal for a Hollywood-style movie studio at the Devens complex is wowing state and local officials eager to bring new jobs to the former military base in the wake of the Evergreen Solar fiasco.
The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, which owns the old base, is in talks to sell a prime tract of land - and provide millions of tax incentives - to a local developer with plans for setting up a studio.
And the $104 million proposal, with the potential to turn Devens into the headquarters of the Massachusetts film industry, has won an early endorsement from officials in the communities that share the former Army property.
Ayer Selectman James Fay said he is encouraged by the proposed studio project, which would provide facilities for the growing number of Hollywood productions shooting in Massachusetts.
Fay said he is cautious about the use of tax incentives to lure companies after the Evergreen debacle, in which the Marlborough-based solar-panel manufacturer used the breaks to build a factory at Devens, only to shut it down this winter, taking with it more than 800 jobs. However, he also said the $5 million sum is relatively modest compared with the $58 million package doled out to the now-struggling Evergreen.
“I have said all along Devens should focus on manufacturing,’’ Fay said, adding the studio complex, in his view, would be “manufacturing films.’’
MJM Development LLC, which is based in Andover, hopes to win approval from MassDevelopment by the end of the year to begin construction on the first phase of a 600,000-square-foot studio complex.
The project is slated to take shape on vacant land on Jackson Road, across from the Bristol-Myers Squibb plant at Devens.
The developer plans to build the project over 10 years, with an initial, $30 million phase to feature four 18,000-square-foot sound stages that would be suitable for rental to everything from big-budget movie productions to commercials. The complex would have a permanent staff of around 40, with hundreds of other positions working out of the studios at any one time, based on the various movies, TV shows, and other productions being filmed there, according to MJM.
The developer is also exploring the potential for converting what was once officer housing at nearby Sherman Square into dorms for a film school, though there are no pending plans to buy the site, said Michael Meyers, MJM’s managing partner.
“It makes a very good opportunity for the region,’’ Fay said. “It’s not on the scale of what Evergreen could have been, but at least it will be a success.’’
Along with Fay, others are also throwing their support behind the studio proposal.
HotelNewsNow.Com Article
Film crews create hotel demand in Cleveland
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[Printer friendly version]
27 July 2011
By Carlo Wolff
HotelNewsNow.com contributor
carlo.wolff@gmail.com
Story Highlights
The key movie is The Avengers, a US$40-million Marvel Comics franchise.
One source says the movie business will swell occupancy levels in downtown Cleveland hotels.
In 2006, Spider-Man 3 generated 4,820 room nights in greater Cleveland hotels.
CLEVELAND—Movies under way in Cleveland could mean millions of dollars and thousands of room nights for hotels in the struggling northeast Ohio city. The Ohio Department of Development suggests they could produce close to US$5.3 million in economic activity and more than 41,000 room nights, making movies one of the biggest demand generators in Cleveland, on par with the Cleveland Clinic and Progressive Insurance.
According to Katie Sabatino, public information officer for the state development department, the figures are based on Ohio Motion Picture Tax applications. “There are plenty more film and TV projects that come to Ohio and use hotel nights that do not use the tax credit, and since there is no real film permit in Ohio—it is impossible to know exactly how many room nights are used,” she said by e-mail.
The key movie is The Avengers, a US$40-million Marvel Comics franchise that already has mounted a casting call of 2,000 for crowd scenes. It will be the largest feature film ever made in Ohio, according to the Greater Cleveland Film Commission.
In 2009, then-Governor Ted Strickland signed into law the Ohio Film Tax Credit, including US$30 million over two years, for film, television and other media productions in Ohio. Every dollar spent will generate about US$1.50 in local economic activity, according to the city’s film commission. Strickland’s successor, John Kasich, pushed hard to shift Avengers production from Detroit to Cleveland.
David Sangree, president of Lakewood, Ohio-based Hospitality & Leisure Advisors, said the movie business will swell occupancy levels in downtown Cleveland hotels for the year, and assuming crews “have a good experience, they’ll want to keep coming back,” becoming a new demand generator.
Top executives may stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland or the Renaissance Cleveland while “the lesser people may stay at the Comfort Inn or the Hampton Inn,” he said. “I’m sure the movie companies will try to negotiate packages that will guarantee a lot of room nights and that would give them a lower rate.”
“In effect, it’s like adding a new company downtown,” said Sangree, noting movies are being shot all over Ohio. “If a movie is really successful, it can generate some long-term benefits as well as short-term benefits.”
The head of the city’s film commission, Ivan Schwarz, said the hotel-spend and roomnight figures are realistic. They speak to at least seven movies in process: The Avengers; Fun Size; I, Alex Cross; Boot Tracks; Old Fashioned; Suicide Kings 2; and Liberal Arts. There is an application for an eighth, Flashback. Avengers is set to spawn 27,000 room nights; Flashback, 44. Respective expenditure figures are US$3.384 million and US$44,000.
“I’ve been talking about building an industry here, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Schwarz said. “This is all part of it.”
Past performances
Dan Williams, VP of sales at Positively Cleveland, said that in 2006, Spider-Man 3 generated 4,820 room nights in greater Cleveland hotels. He suggested this year’s projections reflect eight movie productions at an average of 5,000 roomnights each. “I’d be a little more conservative than that, but looking at what was requested for Spider-Man,” it makes sense. “That would be phenomenal. But that’s eight movies, too. Movie crews tend to be smaller, but they stay a lot longer. For Spider-Man, there was almost a month in production,” at about 200 rooms per night.
Commission President Schwarz says there’s no formula on how many people are involved in a film production. About 3,300 room nights were generated by film productions in Cleveland last year—by three “small” films. Fun Size sports a 150-person crew, for example. “The wealth is spread,” said Schwarz. “They’re all over.”
Meanwhile, local hoteliers wouldn’t quantify revenue and roomnight projections.
Joseph Mattioli, general manager of the Ritz-Carlton, said these productions would benefit hotels accommodating stars, crews and their relatives. “As far as talking about how much this could bring dollar-wise and how many roomnights (these productions might generate), I cannot really comment. It changes. It’s not happening yet. Nothing has been decided. Those are all last-minute decisions.”
Williams, the sales chief at Positively Cleveland, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, said movie-related groups will bring steady business to the area but will “be smaller than the typical convention.
“Typically, an average convention (attendee) will stay two-and-a-half to three days. Typically, what we get for movie crews is 30 to 45 days. They also rent apartments. One of the good things about the movies when crews come in is they use a lot of food and beverage, so that’s a positive.”
There can be negatives, noted Leonard Clifton, general manager of the DoubleTree Cleveland Downtown Hotel. “Movies are a risk a lot of times unless you’re talking about an A-rated movie. They’re typically operating on funds that are being applied for through grants and funding can fall through … Unless it’s an A-rated, Hollywood, box-office Tom Cruise (-level movie)—I’m being a little old school there—you run a risk of collections. You have to make sure to secure money upfront.” At the same time, he noted Cleveland’s low rates and occupancy levels make it appealing to film crews.
Cleveland market
In Cleveland, developers recently broke ground on medical mart, a four-story showplace of medical equipment, and a connected, underground convention center. The 1-million-square-foot complex, costing taxpayers US$465 million, is scheduled to open in 2013.
“With the lack of a convention center, the market is not bearing premium dollars for rooms at the moment for large group businesses,” Clifton said. “They’re able to come into a city that is running 57% occupancy and you are obviously are going to get a much better rate than a city that is running 65% to 70% and has a full convention center doing 30 to 50 citywides a year.”
There are about 4,200 hotel rooms in downtown Cleveland, according to Positively Cleveland’s Williams.
According to STR, parent company of HotelNewsNow.com, the greater Cleveland market offers 189 hotels with more than 21,600 guestrooms. STR said overall occupancy in 2010 in greater Cleveland was 54.5%, with an ADR of US$81.92. The first three months of 2011 yielded respective figures of 47.1% and US$83.90.
Bookmark and Share
Bookmark and Share
[Printer friendly version]
27 July 2011
By Carlo Wolff
HotelNewsNow.com contributor
carlo.wolff@gmail.com
Story Highlights
The key movie is The Avengers, a US$40-million Marvel Comics franchise.
One source says the movie business will swell occupancy levels in downtown Cleveland hotels.
In 2006, Spider-Man 3 generated 4,820 room nights in greater Cleveland hotels.
CLEVELAND—Movies under way in Cleveland could mean millions of dollars and thousands of room nights for hotels in the struggling northeast Ohio city. The Ohio Department of Development suggests they could produce close to US$5.3 million in economic activity and more than 41,000 room nights, making movies one of the biggest demand generators in Cleveland, on par with the Cleveland Clinic and Progressive Insurance.
According to Katie Sabatino, public information officer for the state development department, the figures are based on Ohio Motion Picture Tax applications. “There are plenty more film and TV projects that come to Ohio and use hotel nights that do not use the tax credit, and since there is no real film permit in Ohio—it is impossible to know exactly how many room nights are used,” she said by e-mail.
The key movie is The Avengers, a US$40-million Marvel Comics franchise that already has mounted a casting call of 2,000 for crowd scenes. It will be the largest feature film ever made in Ohio, according to the Greater Cleveland Film Commission.
In 2009, then-Governor Ted Strickland signed into law the Ohio Film Tax Credit, including US$30 million over two years, for film, television and other media productions in Ohio. Every dollar spent will generate about US$1.50 in local economic activity, according to the city’s film commission. Strickland’s successor, John Kasich, pushed hard to shift Avengers production from Detroit to Cleveland.
David Sangree, president of Lakewood, Ohio-based Hospitality & Leisure Advisors, said the movie business will swell occupancy levels in downtown Cleveland hotels for the year, and assuming crews “have a good experience, they’ll want to keep coming back,” becoming a new demand generator.
Top executives may stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland or the Renaissance Cleveland while “the lesser people may stay at the Comfort Inn or the Hampton Inn,” he said. “I’m sure the movie companies will try to negotiate packages that will guarantee a lot of room nights and that would give them a lower rate.”
“In effect, it’s like adding a new company downtown,” said Sangree, noting movies are being shot all over Ohio. “If a movie is really successful, it can generate some long-term benefits as well as short-term benefits.”
The head of the city’s film commission, Ivan Schwarz, said the hotel-spend and roomnight figures are realistic. They speak to at least seven movies in process: The Avengers; Fun Size; I, Alex Cross; Boot Tracks; Old Fashioned; Suicide Kings 2; and Liberal Arts. There is an application for an eighth, Flashback. Avengers is set to spawn 27,000 room nights; Flashback, 44. Respective expenditure figures are US$3.384 million and US$44,000.
“I’ve been talking about building an industry here, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Schwarz said. “This is all part of it.”
Past performances
Dan Williams, VP of sales at Positively Cleveland, said that in 2006, Spider-Man 3 generated 4,820 room nights in greater Cleveland hotels. He suggested this year’s projections reflect eight movie productions at an average of 5,000 roomnights each. “I’d be a little more conservative than that, but looking at what was requested for Spider-Man,” it makes sense. “That would be phenomenal. But that’s eight movies, too. Movie crews tend to be smaller, but they stay a lot longer. For Spider-Man, there was almost a month in production,” at about 200 rooms per night.
Commission President Schwarz says there’s no formula on how many people are involved in a film production. About 3,300 room nights were generated by film productions in Cleveland last year—by three “small” films. Fun Size sports a 150-person crew, for example. “The wealth is spread,” said Schwarz. “They’re all over.”
Meanwhile, local hoteliers wouldn’t quantify revenue and roomnight projections.
Joseph Mattioli, general manager of the Ritz-Carlton, said these productions would benefit hotels accommodating stars, crews and their relatives. “As far as talking about how much this could bring dollar-wise and how many roomnights (these productions might generate), I cannot really comment. It changes. It’s not happening yet. Nothing has been decided. Those are all last-minute decisions.”
Williams, the sales chief at Positively Cleveland, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, said movie-related groups will bring steady business to the area but will “be smaller than the typical convention.
“Typically, an average convention (attendee) will stay two-and-a-half to three days. Typically, what we get for movie crews is 30 to 45 days. They also rent apartments. One of the good things about the movies when crews come in is they use a lot of food and beverage, so that’s a positive.”
There can be negatives, noted Leonard Clifton, general manager of the DoubleTree Cleveland Downtown Hotel. “Movies are a risk a lot of times unless you’re talking about an A-rated movie. They’re typically operating on funds that are being applied for through grants and funding can fall through … Unless it’s an A-rated, Hollywood, box-office Tom Cruise (-level movie)—I’m being a little old school there—you run a risk of collections. You have to make sure to secure money upfront.” At the same time, he noted Cleveland’s low rates and occupancy levels make it appealing to film crews.
Cleveland market
In Cleveland, developers recently broke ground on medical mart, a four-story showplace of medical equipment, and a connected, underground convention center. The 1-million-square-foot complex, costing taxpayers US$465 million, is scheduled to open in 2013.
“With the lack of a convention center, the market is not bearing premium dollars for rooms at the moment for large group businesses,” Clifton said. “They’re able to come into a city that is running 57% occupancy and you are obviously are going to get a much better rate than a city that is running 65% to 70% and has a full convention center doing 30 to 50 citywides a year.”
There are about 4,200 hotel rooms in downtown Cleveland, according to Positively Cleveland’s Williams.
According to STR, parent company of HotelNewsNow.com, the greater Cleveland market offers 189 hotels with more than 21,600 guestrooms. STR said overall occupancy in 2010 in greater Cleveland was 54.5%, with an ADR of US$81.92. The first three months of 2011 yielded respective figures of 47.1% and US$83.90.
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Tuesday, July 26, 2011
From WWW.10TV.com
More Movies Shot In Central Ohio From Tax Credit
Monday, July 25, 2011 5:57 PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A tax-incentive program has brought a taste of Hollywood to Ohio.
Since former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland in 2009 approved a $30 million film tax credit for 2010-11, several movies have been shot in the state, 10TV's Andrea Cambern reported.
The credit only applies for productions that promise to spend more than $300,000.
"I think for Ohio, especially in the last couple of years, we're definitely seeing the upswing of growth," said Amir Elyon, the state's tourism director.
SPECIAL SECTION: Entertainment
Some of the locations that have been used in Ohio include Oxford, when George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti were working on "Ides of March." The movie was shot on the Miami University campus.
"The Avengers" is set for a 2012 release and is being shot in Cleveland, featuring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson.
Recently, Bexley native Josh Radnor shot "Liberal Arts" on the Kenyon College campus, his alma mater.
"It's a great school," Radnor said. "It's a beautiful school. They've really opened the place up for us, and it's just been really nice."
Radnor, who stars on the CBS show "How I Met Your Mother," said he started working on the script about a year ago and knew central Ohio was the place for the movie to be made.
"You can film anything here in Ohio except for a desert and the Rocky Mountains," Elyon said.
Huntington Park was recently the backdrop for "Gibsonburg: The Movie," the story of a 2005 Ohio high school state championship team.
Talent and crew members from central Ohio were used. Director Bob Mahaffey said that he plans to enter the motion picture in national film festivals.
A new Web series, "Two Doors Down," is about to debut. The comedy is based in Columbus.
The series revolves around a divorced couple trying to raise their son while living in the same neighborhood. The series was shot with central Ohio areas in neighborhoods that included Clintonville and German Village.
The series will debut on Aug. 21.
Several filmmakers spent the weekend shooting and editing 4-7 minute films. The 48 Hour Film Festival is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at the Grandview Theater, located at 1247 Grandview Ave.
Monday, July 25, 2011 5:57 PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A tax-incentive program has brought a taste of Hollywood to Ohio.
Since former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland in 2009 approved a $30 million film tax credit for 2010-11, several movies have been shot in the state, 10TV's Andrea Cambern reported.
The credit only applies for productions that promise to spend more than $300,000.
"I think for Ohio, especially in the last couple of years, we're definitely seeing the upswing of growth," said Amir Elyon, the state's tourism director.
SPECIAL SECTION: Entertainment
Some of the locations that have been used in Ohio include Oxford, when George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti were working on "Ides of March." The movie was shot on the Miami University campus.
"The Avengers" is set for a 2012 release and is being shot in Cleveland, featuring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson.
Recently, Bexley native Josh Radnor shot "Liberal Arts" on the Kenyon College campus, his alma mater.
"It's a great school," Radnor said. "It's a beautiful school. They've really opened the place up for us, and it's just been really nice."
Radnor, who stars on the CBS show "How I Met Your Mother," said he started working on the script about a year ago and knew central Ohio was the place for the movie to be made.
"You can film anything here in Ohio except for a desert and the Rocky Mountains," Elyon said.
Huntington Park was recently the backdrop for "Gibsonburg: The Movie," the story of a 2005 Ohio high school state championship team.
Talent and crew members from central Ohio were used. Director Bob Mahaffey said that he plans to enter the motion picture in national film festivals.
A new Web series, "Two Doors Down," is about to debut. The comedy is based in Columbus.
The series revolves around a divorced couple trying to raise their son while living in the same neighborhood. The series was shot with central Ohio areas in neighborhoods that included Clintonville and German Village.
The series will debut on Aug. 21.
Several filmmakers spent the weekend shooting and editing 4-7 minute films. The 48 Hour Film Festival is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at the Grandview Theater, located at 1247 Grandview Ave.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
From SouthCoastToday.com ..Could've Been In Iowa...
Construction on Mass. film production center could start next year
By Michael Norton
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
July 23, 2011 12:00 AM
BOSTON — The state's economic development agency has agreed to enter into negotiations over a sale price and tax incentives with a development company that plans to build a 600,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art film and television production complex in Devens.
After declining to release details following a unanimous board vote a week ago, MassDevelopment officials on Thursday elaborated on plans to move ahead with MJM Development LLC of Andover, which plans to build the studio complex, including four 18,000 square foot sound stages, over 10 years.
The deal hinges on the development team, helmed by former hotel industry executive Michael Meyers of Andover, purchasing two lots encompassing a 28-acre site along Jackson Road, the main access road into Devens, a former military installation in north central Massachusetts that is home to about 75 businesses.
The project's first phase is expected to include the four sound stages, a mill, production support offices, a storage building and other support areas totaling 126,000 square feet and expected to cost $30 million.
At full build-out, the project will include 600,000 square feet with eight sound stages at a cost of $104 million. The full project is expected to create 44 permanent jobs and another 800 to 1,000 jobs when the facility is fully leased, according to a memo to the board from MassDevelopment chief Marty Jones.
If details are worked out, the first phase of construction could begin next year and the first facilities could open by the end of 2012, according to a MassDevelopment official.
Meyers told State House News Service on Thursday that he is working on the project with local businessmen who wish to remain anonymous. The team includes real estate developers and equity investors, film industry consultants, studio operators and designers, according to officials familiar with the project.
While Meyers said the project will be fully funded through private equity, MJM and MassDevelopment have also agreed to enter into talks on tax increment financing valued at $5 million over 20 years, with clawback provisions, to reduce property taxes on improvements made in connection with the project.
Meyers acknowledged a "long road to travel as we start our due diligence, engineering and permitting" but expressed confidence about moving the project forward.
Under state law, MassDevelopment is the designated public agency responsible for redevelopment within what is known as the Devens Regional Enterprise Zone. MJM Development, which was formed to build the studio complex, hopes to provide a facility capable of producing feature and documentary films, TV programs and commercials.
By Michael Norton
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
July 23, 2011 12:00 AM
BOSTON — The state's economic development agency has agreed to enter into negotiations over a sale price and tax incentives with a development company that plans to build a 600,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art film and television production complex in Devens.
After declining to release details following a unanimous board vote a week ago, MassDevelopment officials on Thursday elaborated on plans to move ahead with MJM Development LLC of Andover, which plans to build the studio complex, including four 18,000 square foot sound stages, over 10 years.
The deal hinges on the development team, helmed by former hotel industry executive Michael Meyers of Andover, purchasing two lots encompassing a 28-acre site along Jackson Road, the main access road into Devens, a former military installation in north central Massachusetts that is home to about 75 businesses.
The project's first phase is expected to include the four sound stages, a mill, production support offices, a storage building and other support areas totaling 126,000 square feet and expected to cost $30 million.
At full build-out, the project will include 600,000 square feet with eight sound stages at a cost of $104 million. The full project is expected to create 44 permanent jobs and another 800 to 1,000 jobs when the facility is fully leased, according to a memo to the board from MassDevelopment chief Marty Jones.
If details are worked out, the first phase of construction could begin next year and the first facilities could open by the end of 2012, according to a MassDevelopment official.
Meyers told State House News Service on Thursday that he is working on the project with local businessmen who wish to remain anonymous. The team includes real estate developers and equity investors, film industry consultants, studio operators and designers, according to officials familiar with the project.
While Meyers said the project will be fully funded through private equity, MJM and MassDevelopment have also agreed to enter into talks on tax increment financing valued at $5 million over 20 years, with clawback provisions, to reduce property taxes on improvements made in connection with the project.
Meyers acknowledged a "long road to travel as we start our due diligence, engineering and permitting" but expressed confidence about moving the project forward.
Under state law, MassDevelopment is the designated public agency responsible for redevelopment within what is known as the Devens Regional Enterprise Zone. MJM Development, which was formed to build the studio complex, hopes to provide a facility capable of producing feature and documentary films, TV programs and commercials.
Friday, July 15, 2011
From The Denver Post, by Jason Blevins
business
Colorado's new film commission chief wants to boost state's movie-making incentives
By Jason Blevins
The Denver Post
Legislators in 17 states, including Michigan, Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico and Idaho, are scaling back and even suspending movie-incentive programs as they wrestle with budget deficits.
Lawmakers in Utah and Wyoming are ramping up programs that offer cash rebates of 25 percent or more to filmmakers who roll cameras in their states.
Then there's Colorado, which boasts the oldest state film commission in the country. Filmmakers have largely eschewed the state — not for its lack of theater-filling landscapes but for its bottom-of-the-barrel incentive program, which offers a comparatively meager 10 percent rebate to production outfits that film here.
In the past seven years, legislative attempts to grow the incentive program have failed, including this year's push to tack a dime onto every movie ticket sold.
"I'm a firm believer that if we create a better incentive plan for Colorado, it will be a good business development tool," said Republican state Rep. Tom Massey, who has carried some form of movie-incentive legislation for the past seven years. "We have to find a way to create that funding source outside of the traditional government funding procedures."
Colorado has not hosted a major movie production in years, while neighboring states such as New Mexico
and Utah have attracted scores of Hollywood hits.
Since Utah created its state-run film commission in 2004, 65 film projects have earned rebates and left about $178 million in the state, according to the commission. Recent films out of Utah include all three "High School Musical" flicks and the Oscar-nominated "127 Hours."
New Mexico's 25 percent incentive has lured 159 major productions in the past nine years, harvesting almost $4 billion in economic impact and paying out $253 million in rebates, according to that state's film office.
With a big-name Hollywood producer now helming the recently revived Colorado Office of Film Television & Media, and a governor friendly to the idea of more Colorado-based movies, hopes are high that Colorado can regain its luster with moviemakers.
"Independent filmmakers generally choose the place with the best incentives," said Donald Zuckerman, whom Gov. John Hickenlooper this spring tapped as new chief of the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media.
Zuckerman would know.
The Hollywood producer has backed almost 20 pictures, including several with the late director George Hickenlooper , cousin of the governor. In the past decade, Zuckerman said, he has watched incentive programs grow to dominate the industry. A pair of recent films he produced in New Mexico earned him cash rebates of $1.3 million and $1.25 million.
"We could not have made those movies without that money," he said.
He has crafted a plan — which he says he can't discuss until he presents it to the governor — that "will bring a lot of business to Colorado. A lot of significant business."
"It will not cost the state any money but will actually earn the state money," Zuckerman said. "The centerpiece is something unique that no other state has done. It will actually be a profit center for the state."
In 2010, a record 40 states delivered $1.4 billion in film and television tax rebates as part of incentive programs. Today, 43 states have movie-incentive programs. More than $6 billion in public money has been delivered to filmmakers since incentive programs first bloomed a decade ago, according to research by the Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation.
In fact, some scripts, Zuckerman said, are actually being written and revised with an eye toward incentives, which can reach as high as 42 percent in suddenly movie-mad Michigan. Last year, Michigan taxpayers paid nearly $100 million in incentives, almost triple the amount paid in 2008, the incentive program's first year.
But in Michigan, they are skeptical. A report last fall by the state Senate fiscal agency argued that nearly half the private spending generated by movie-making "effectively left the state and did not contribute to the state's economic activity."
The report found the state spent $37.5 million in rebates to generate $21.1 million in private-sector activity in 2008-09 and plans to spend $100 million in 2009-10 to generate $59.5 million in private-sector activity.
A similar report by New Mexico State University's Arrowhead Center concluded that the state — which has recently been dubbed "Tamalewood," thanks to its thriving movie industry — lost money on its incentive program.
(To counter the reports, movie and tourism supporters in both states commissioned studies that show, not surprisingly, significant boosts in revenue for every dollar invested in movie incentives.)
Today, Michigan is planning to cap its rebate program at $25 million and New Mexico is weighing a cap.
Nationally, both support for and opposition to movie incentives cross political boundaries. The liberal-leaning Center for Budget and Policy Priorities and the conservative Tax Foundation issued reports last year concluding that movie incentive programs delivered too little bang for their buck.
"Basically, this thing has become an arms race. I call it a race to the bottom," said Harris Kenny, a policy analyst for the free-market-advocating Reason Foundation who testified against the proposed 10-cent movie ticket fee in Colorado's statehouse this spring.
Still, some states are investing in movie incentives, betting that the scaling-back by other states poses an opportunity.
In Utah, for example, lawmakers this spring raised the state's incentive from 20 percent to 25 percent and established a fund that guarantees rebate money would never lapse.
Studios love the fund concept because it means they get rebates in weeks instead of months or even years, said Marshall Moore , director of the Utah Film Commission.
State lawmakers believe in the program, he said, and they recognize the promotional opportunities.
"We have a proven stable record of success over the years, and legislators recognize those benefits," Moore said.
"Our program is here to stay. This is the way of the future and the way it is today."
Jason Blevins
Colorado's new film commission chief wants to boost state's movie-making incentives
By Jason Blevins
The Denver Post
Legislators in 17 states, including Michigan, Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico and Idaho, are scaling back and even suspending movie-incentive programs as they wrestle with budget deficits.
Lawmakers in Utah and Wyoming are ramping up programs that offer cash rebates of 25 percent or more to filmmakers who roll cameras in their states.
Then there's Colorado, which boasts the oldest state film commission in the country. Filmmakers have largely eschewed the state — not for its lack of theater-filling landscapes but for its bottom-of-the-barrel incentive program, which offers a comparatively meager 10 percent rebate to production outfits that film here.
In the past seven years, legislative attempts to grow the incentive program have failed, including this year's push to tack a dime onto every movie ticket sold.
"I'm a firm believer that if we create a better incentive plan for Colorado, it will be a good business development tool," said Republican state Rep. Tom Massey, who has carried some form of movie-incentive legislation for the past seven years. "We have to find a way to create that funding source outside of the traditional government funding procedures."
Colorado has not hosted a major movie production in years, while neighboring states such as New Mexico
and Utah have attracted scores of Hollywood hits.
Since Utah created its state-run film commission in 2004, 65 film projects have earned rebates and left about $178 million in the state, according to the commission. Recent films out of Utah include all three "High School Musical" flicks and the Oscar-nominated "127 Hours."
New Mexico's 25 percent incentive has lured 159 major productions in the past nine years, harvesting almost $4 billion in economic impact and paying out $253 million in rebates, according to that state's film office.
With a big-name Hollywood producer now helming the recently revived Colorado Office of Film Television & Media, and a governor friendly to the idea of more Colorado-based movies, hopes are high that Colorado can regain its luster with moviemakers.
"Independent filmmakers generally choose the place with the best incentives," said Donald Zuckerman, whom Gov. John Hickenlooper this spring tapped as new chief of the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media.
Zuckerman would know.
The Hollywood producer has backed almost 20 pictures, including several with the late director George Hickenlooper , cousin of the governor. In the past decade, Zuckerman said, he has watched incentive programs grow to dominate the industry. A pair of recent films he produced in New Mexico earned him cash rebates of $1.3 million and $1.25 million.
"We could not have made those movies without that money," he said.
He has crafted a plan — which he says he can't discuss until he presents it to the governor — that "will bring a lot of business to Colorado. A lot of significant business."
"It will not cost the state any money but will actually earn the state money," Zuckerman said. "The centerpiece is something unique that no other state has done. It will actually be a profit center for the state."
In 2010, a record 40 states delivered $1.4 billion in film and television tax rebates as part of incentive programs. Today, 43 states have movie-incentive programs. More than $6 billion in public money has been delivered to filmmakers since incentive programs first bloomed a decade ago, according to research by the Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation.
In fact, some scripts, Zuckerman said, are actually being written and revised with an eye toward incentives, which can reach as high as 42 percent in suddenly movie-mad Michigan. Last year, Michigan taxpayers paid nearly $100 million in incentives, almost triple the amount paid in 2008, the incentive program's first year.
But in Michigan, they are skeptical. A report last fall by the state Senate fiscal agency argued that nearly half the private spending generated by movie-making "effectively left the state and did not contribute to the state's economic activity."
The report found the state spent $37.5 million in rebates to generate $21.1 million in private-sector activity in 2008-09 and plans to spend $100 million in 2009-10 to generate $59.5 million in private-sector activity.
A similar report by New Mexico State University's Arrowhead Center concluded that the state — which has recently been dubbed "Tamalewood," thanks to its thriving movie industry — lost money on its incentive program.
(To counter the reports, movie and tourism supporters in both states commissioned studies that show, not surprisingly, significant boosts in revenue for every dollar invested in movie incentives.)
Today, Michigan is planning to cap its rebate program at $25 million and New Mexico is weighing a cap.
Nationally, both support for and opposition to movie incentives cross political boundaries. The liberal-leaning Center for Budget and Policy Priorities and the conservative Tax Foundation issued reports last year concluding that movie incentive programs delivered too little bang for their buck.
"Basically, this thing has become an arms race. I call it a race to the bottom," said Harris Kenny, a policy analyst for the free-market-advocating Reason Foundation who testified against the proposed 10-cent movie ticket fee in Colorado's statehouse this spring.
Still, some states are investing in movie incentives, betting that the scaling-back by other states poses an opportunity.
In Utah, for example, lawmakers this spring raised the state's incentive from 20 percent to 25 percent and established a fund that guarantees rebate money would never lapse.
Studios love the fund concept because it means they get rebates in weeks instead of months or even years, said Marshall Moore , director of the Utah Film Commission.
State lawmakers believe in the program, he said, and they recognize the promotional opportunities.
"We have a proven stable record of success over the years, and legislators recognize those benefits," Moore said.
"Our program is here to stay. This is the way of the future and the way it is today."
Jason Blevins
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