Casting call: 3 new movies looking for fresh faces in Cleveland

http://www.cleveland.com/moviebuff/index.ssf/2015/09/casting_call_3_new_movies_look.html

This article frustrates me because it doesn't answer the question as to potential ways to create this infrastructure. Does anyone know who needs to invest in this infrastructure and how feasible it is?Cleveland natives officially directing next Avengers films

 

 

"Without sound stages we cannot compete," said Schwarz. "Without permanent infrastructure we cannot compete. If we build this infrastructure, and we create these jobs. We are talking about 2,000-3,000 new jobs that do not exist in Northeast Ohio. We are talking about new companies that will move here that currently do not exist in Northeast Ohio and in Ohio period."

 

http://www.wkyc.com/story/entertainment/movies/cleveland-avengers/2015/04/07/joe-and-anthony-russo-avengers-films-cleveland/25432071/

 

 

A friend of mine who is a Hollywood camera man tells me it's predominately lack of permanent soundstages.  He told me while he was here helping film the first Avengers movie, "if Cleveland would use some empty industrial buildings converted to permanant soundstages, they be light years ahead of other mid-size and large cities."

 

Also, there are very few companies in town who handle the auxiliary/supporting industries for the movie industry...costumes, camera repair/replacement, explosives, etc (NOTE: I really don't know auxiliary industries, but he did mention this as lacking).  So unless local industries realign or are created, movie productions bring in outside companies/support.  One good example I can think of in terms of "realigning" are the pneumatic and hydraulic industries.  I've involved with a fluid power outfit in Burbank, CA who has built hydraulic power units used for special effects in movies such as Titanic and Pirates of the Caribbean.  With Cleveland's large industrial past and present (cough, cough...global leaders Eaton Corp and Parker Hannifin...cough, cough...), it would be a sin if companies outside of the region were flown in to do this type of system design and manufacturing work for special effects.

 

Here are some soundstage offerings I found from other cities:

 

Boston: http://nestudios.com/

Palm Beach, FL: http://www.gstarstudios.com/

Atlanta: http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/our-studios/usa/pinewood-atlanta-studios

Burbank, CA: http://studiofacilities.warnerbros.com/stages-sets/sound-stages/

 

 

 

kansas city sez they have the largest soundstage in the midwest. the focus is not just movies or tv, its corporate, medical and educational filming, too. so local businesses like the cle medical industries might make use of one as well as hollywood:

http://www.rsvpfilmvideo.com/

^ just to add to that, its actually a mixed bag in nyc. steiner studios in the brooklyn navy yard is the largest studio complex outside of hollywood, but it came at a high cost of $150M or more in public funding and tax breaks:

http://nycrc.com/press/16/nycrc-to-provide-funding-for-steiner-studios.html

 

otoh, silvercup in lic queens is private and is doing fine on its own and is expanding to a warehouse in port morris in the se corner of the bronx:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/silvercup-studios-buys-bronx-site-1436140210

 

 

these studios get tv shows, movies, tv commercials, music video business and the like.

 

i think there is a decent chunk of this wide variety of film business cle could take as well if a warehouse was converted into a studio somehow/someday.

 

i also think what i found in looking at all these studios around the county is that, like anything else i guess, it seems there are quite a bit more varied ways to accomplish funding and supporting them and more varied work that can be done in them than i had thought. maybe an innovative csu, case partnership with the city and somebody else could help get one built, up and running? i dk.

 

Thanks for resurrecting this topic. 

 

I still stand by what I said in April with our largest hold back.  Cleveland needs soundstage infrastructure.  Let's retrofit/convert some of our old brick warehouse buildings! 

 

Or build new in the Opportunity Corridor???  How about that idea :)

mrnyc[/member] the studio you site in KC is smaller than http://www.creativehousestudios.com/ downtown Cle which claims to be the largest in Ohio.  But who knows what metrics are used when these claims are made. I think we all agree that a more substantial film infrastructure in Cle would be great. We already have a very aggressive film commission, so that helps. It would be nice if some of our more successful film makers (Russo Brothers for ex.) could get together and  put together a plan. But who knows maybe they have.

^ interesting. i didnt realize that. the kc studio was just the first thing that came up google-izing.

 

there is also midwest film & grip from cinci, which is yet another side of the business cle could get in on.

 

last and not least -- i see michigan is trying to fund a studio in pontiac:

 

http://m.metrotimes.com/Blogs/archives/2015/06/02/the-underplayed-storyline-on-michigans-proposed-film-incentive-package-pension-funds-state-cover-19m-in-costs-for-pontiac-studio

 

What about the I-X Center? Sounds like they're diversifying -- maybe film production isn't too "off stage" for them??

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/09/i-x_center_announces_new_state.html

 

With a building so big, only the imagination would limit what a producer/director could do with it.

Was watching Portlandia and noticed that a certain Cleveland icon shows up for about half a second in an establishing shot... You'd have no idea it was the Key Tower unless you've got a keen eye  :wink:

Just a reminder if you haven't heard 'live' brain surgery from UH/Case Medical Center on National Geographic TV. Started at 9pm.

Nicholas Cage movie begins filming in Cleveland

http://www.wkyc.com/story/news/local/cleveland/2015/10/28/nicolas-cage-filming-movie-cleveland/74722658/

This might sound crazy, but could the JC provide the necessary infrastructure to boost the local film industry?  Courtrooms, jails, high ceilings, a large atrium, the potential to open up several floors for sound stages, a cafeteria, wiring, etc.

^Yes it would make for a great demolition scene.

^Yes it would make for a great demolition scene.

 

LOL - Yes! Trampled by Godzilla.

This might sound crazy, but could the JC provide the necessary infrastructure to boost the local film industry?  Courtrooms, jails, high ceilings, a large atrium, the potential to open up several floors for sound stages, a cafeteria, wiring, etc.

 

I don't think we could keep the facility busy enough to justify it's presence on such a "valuable piece of property."  Plus the film industry likes wide open floor plans--more suitable to the size/space of the IX Center, which is currently not used to it's full capacity.

This might sound crazy, but could the JC provide the necessary infrastructure to boost the local film industry?  Courtrooms, jails, high ceilings, a large atrium, the potential to open up several floors for sound stages, a cafeteria, wiring, etc.

I'm sure you could shoot scenes in there, but I don't think it would make a very good film studio.  Just judging from what is in LA. 

As I was flipping through channels the other day and I saw a picture of the Cleveland skyline. It was the Price is Right. The prize was a trip to Cleveland with a 5 night’s stay at the 9.

FF to the 2 minute mark:

 

http://www.cbs.com/shows/the_price_is_right/video/

 

Film Industry? The original title of this thread seems more appropriate.

^Wow that's pretty cool!

^^Reminds me of the old joke..."And the second place prize is 10 nights in Cleveland!"  Of course, the internet confirms that joke has been told about almost every unglamorous city.  Kind of a random find, but here is a confirmed instance of author Philip K Dick saying it about Cleveland: https://books.google.com/books?id=03_6AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA175&lpg=PA175&dq=second+prize+is+two+weeks+in+Cleveland&source=bl&ots=YIGcks6mcc&sig=L_2gNs9MHDUGyQQpL2z-XQmNkZs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCQQ6AEwAWoVChMImY2ng5fyyAIVwlg-Ch2jWgcN#v=onepage&q=second%20prize%20is%20two%20weeks%20in%20Cleveland&f=false

'Criminal Activities,' filmed in #Cleveland, is getting a mixed critical reception.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/criminal_activities/

NBC Nightly News 12/5. Great view from that window at the end of the clip:

 

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/meet-the-students-leaving-their-dorms-for-a-retirement-home-580617284001

 

If you haven't seen the new Lebron/Samsung VR spot, some shots of the city.

http://youtu.be/-Tg-Vxe8UXg

^ For some reason the thought of seeing LeBron jogging over that bridge in real life seems so outlandish!

 

And seeing that last shot of the gym, well, I hope he had his tetanus shot up to date lol

^What are you talking about, I just seen him over there the other morning! .....OK well maybe it was just a guy in a #23 jersey but close enuff!

I was trying to remember what that commercial was so I could post it here. Glad someone here has a memory for things that happened after 1990.

 

'Criminal Activities,' filmed in #Cleveland, is getting a mixed critical reception.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/criminal_activities/

I like how there are shots of people wearing Cleveland clothing. Seems like they want the audience to know they are in Cleveland, what a change!

Most of us Clevelanders will be watching Cavs/GS tonight, but this will be on too.  I'll guess they are looking in a suburb.

 

http://www.hgtv.com/shows/house-hunters/episodes/cleveland-doctors-need-home-before-baby-arrives

 

House Hunters would have been your better option tonight.

House Hunters would have been your better option tonight.

 

I might have thought so with the mention of doctors and not being able to decide between a colonial and Tudor home I figured they may have been looking at great houses in the Heights.  Turns out they were looking at Faux tudors and colonials in subdivisions in places like North Royalton and Pepper Pike.  He was a dufus….  I don’t even know where they ended up and frankly didn’t care. 

 

So they both sucked!   

^townhome in pepper pike ... That's where they ended up! Boy, TV sucked last night lol

A promotional Cleveland video from Progressive. 

 

From the videos description:

Cleveland, or CLE, is a great place to live, work and play. Headquartered in the Cleveland area, Progressive has a wide array of career options that you’ll love. Enjoy this digital short film to learn about the greater Cleveland area through the eyes of one of our employees who’s a Chicago transplant.

 

 

^ Overall a great video imho. However, even the mere glimpse of "Jersey" barriers on the waterfront was extremely disappointing. That's not what a beautiful shoreline is supposed to look like. 

Progressive Insurance, marketing Cleveland's suburbs as THE place to live and work like it's 1989.

Progressive Insurance, marketing Cleveland's suburbs as THE place to live and work like it's 1989.

Then you get to the office and you're like wait? Where's the stuff in the video.

Maybe attitudes are changing about the campus they build out on East 271.  What are the chances Progressive would move back downtown?  Granted they have multiple buildings in Mayfield Village, but they could move corporate back downtown.  Banks seem to do this often, with a corporate presence downtown and operation centers in the burbs.  Maybe Progressive can follow this model.

Maybe attitudes are changing about the campus they build out on East 271.  What are the chances Progressive would move back downtown?  Granted they have multiple buildings in Mayfield Village, but they could move corporate back downtown.  Banks seem to do this often, with a corporate presence downtown and operation centers in the burbs.  Maybe Progressive can follow this model.

I think it may be wise for them to at least do a satellite office downtown. I would even consider working there then.

Maybe attitudes are changing about the campus they build out on East 271.  What are the chances Progressive would move back downtown?  Granted they have multiple buildings in Mayfield Village, but they could move corporate back downtown.  Banks seem to do this often, with a corporate presence downtown and operation centers in the burbs.  Maybe Progressive can follow this model.

 

That would be nice, but I think they would need an interested party to take a large portion of their property in Mayfield off their hands, and considering the size and spread of their campus, it would be quite an undertaking.  Furthermore, I would imagine Mayfield would gladhand them and make every effort for them to retain their full presence there.

 

Although it really depends on the leadership at the company.  It would be a significant financial investment to make this move, but if it has a positive impact on their bottom line in any way, perhaps it would be considered.

Maybe attitudes are changing about the campus they build out on East 271.  What are the chances Progressive would move back downtown?  Granted they have multiple buildings in Mayfield Village, but they could move corporate back downtown.  Banks seem to do this often, with a corporate presence downtown and operation centers in the burbs.  Maybe Progressive can follow this model.

 

That would be nice, but I think they would need an interested party to take a large portion of their property in Mayfield off their hands, and considering the size and spread of their campus, it would be quite an undertaking.  Furthermore, I would imagine Mayfield would gladhand them and make every effort for them to retain their full presence there.

 

Although it really depends on the leadership at the company.  It would be a significant financial investment to make this move, but if it has a positive impact on their bottom line in any way, perhaps it would be considered.

 

The only way it ever happens is a hostile takeover by a company that already has a different mindset.

 

Progressive has a very insular corporate culture.  Ask the businesses near them how much impact they have on their surroundings.  You might be surprised how little.

 

If that tower had ever happened, it would be nicknamed "Fort Progressive" and often criticized as insular and isolated.

Progressive has a very insular corporate culture.  Ask the businesses near them how much impact they have on their surroundings.  You might be surprised how little.

 

I know people at Progressive and have heard the same. What I've also heard from them in the past is that the basic value proposition they give to 'millennial' new hires is "Hey, look at how cool downtown Cleveland is - you can live there and have a great time and don't worry about the commute to the campus - it's easy!". Seeing that video seems to confirm this. Anecdotal evidence is that that selling story works probably not as often as Progressive would like. The people I know there are a million miles away from the C-suite, so don't take this as evidence that the bosses think being stuck out in Mayfield is an issue! 

Maybe attitudes are changing about the campus they build out on East 271.  What are the chances Progressive would move back downtown?  Granted they have multiple buildings in Mayfield Village, but they could move corporate back downtown.  Banks seem to do this often, with a corporate presence downtown and operation centers in the burbs.  Maybe Progressive can follow this model.

I think it may be wise for them to at least do a satellite office downtown. I would even consider working there then.

 

Yes. I regularly see that they are hiring. There is NFW I would ever work where they are located. I'm sure they are great company and all but it does seem a little ironic to try to attract millennials to "cleveland" and then have this campus that's way far from downtown in a place where traffic is nightmarish. Like hey, look at all the great things Cleveland has to offer, except where we are located.

Cleveland Sundance Film 'The Land' Picked Up by Film Company

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2016/02/22/cleveland-sundance-film-the-land-picked-up-by-film-company

‘Avengers: Infinity War’ coming to Cleveland? Possible say Russo Brothers

 

They didn’t share any Captain America: Civil War spoilers, but directors Joe and Anthony Russo told fans that Avengers: Infinity War could land in Cleveland.

 

“It’s on the list,” said Anthony.

 

The reveal took place Saturday during a Wizard World Comic-Con Cleveland panel titled Let’s Shut Down Some Streets: Bringing the Avengers, Captain America and the Russo Brothers to Cleveland.

 

The Russos, who grew up in Cleveland and graduated from Case Western Reserve University, were joined by Ivan Schwarz, director of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. The trio discussed how the region could grow its production slate and how it could attract more features to Northeast Ohio.

 

The first step, said Schwarz, was getting the Ohio legislature to raise the motion picture tax incentive from $25 million a year to $75 million. That’s legislation will go before Ohio lawmakers this spring.

 

http://moviepilot.com/posts/3802350

Could Geauga Lake become a movie production site?

WKYC and Hilary Golston , WKYC

12:26 AM. EST March 02, 2016

 

AURORA - Geauga Lake has sat vacant for years, but steps have been taken to transform the old amusement park into a potential sound stage setting for movie production.

 

At Cleveland Comic Con, Ivan Schwarz, director of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, said they are working on legislation to raise the motion picture tax incentive from $20 million to $75 million per year.

 

The Ohio House of Representatives has already been presented with a bill, Schwarz tells WKYC Channel 3's Hilary Golston.

 

According to Midwest Movie Maker, "the Ohio Film Tax Credit provides for a refundable credit against the corporation franchise or income tax for motion pictures produced in Ohio. The tax credit is equal to 25 percent of non-wage and nonresident wage Ohio production expenditures and 35 percent of Ohio resident wage production expenditures. Up to $5 million in credits is available per production."

 

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/geauga-county/could-geauga-lake-become-a-movie-studio/63400939

 

 

Some detail on Lebron produced reality show.

 

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2016/03/16/lebron-reality-show-cleveland-hustles-to-bring-four-new-businesses-to-detroit-shoreway-neighborhood

'Fast & Furious 8' to shoot scenes in Cleveland

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/03/fast_furious_8_cleveland.html#incart_m-rpt-2

^That's great, but I wish we could have more movies that both film here and are set here.  Seems we either have movies filmed here, but aren't set here (The Deer Hunter, A Christmas Story, Avengers-Winter Soldier) or films that are set here, but aren't filmed here (Major Leagues).  ... That's why films like Draft Day, Welcome to Collinwood and Fun Size (the Chelsea Handler coming-of-age flick nobody saw... not even me), are a welcome departure.

I would estimate 95% or more films are not set where they are filmed. Where they are filmed is a complex mix of where it's cheapest to film and what looks close enough to pass for the location named in the script. you can't just film whenever something is set. That's not the way the industry works. Never has been.

 

Most films are done on sound stages in LA, at least some large portion of them. Exterior locations are driven largely by budget. Movies don't have unlimited budget to shoot wherever they want. They have to go where there are the biggest incentives that make it cheap enough to set up there to film whatever exteriors have to happen. Movie making is about money, not reality-based filming.

At least Cleveland has had a few movies filmed here take place here.

 

I always think about Vancouver when people talk about cities never being themselves in movies. I honestly can't think of any major movies filmed in Vancouver that actually take place there. There are a couple of shows that take place there (most notably in my mind is Continuum) that are filmed there but even then they dramatically play down the location for whatever reason.

 

I watched a movie recently, Jenny's Wedding, that I didn't realize was filmed and takes place in Cleveland. It did a good job of getting some nice shots of spots around town that gave it a nice grounding in reality.

I know several people who worked on that. I'll pass on the positive comments.

^That's great, but I wish we could have more movies that both film here and are set here.  Seems we either have movies filmed here, but aren't set here (The Deer Hunter, A Christmas Story, Avengers-Winter Soldier) or films that are set here, but aren't filmed here (Major Leagues).  ... That's why films like Draft Day, Welcome to Collinwood and Fun Size (the Chelsea Handler coming-of-age flick nobody saw... not even me), are a welcome departure.

 

FIST was considered an example of the former and people complained about that, but the reasons why it was filmed in Iowa turned out to be interesting.  As per Wikipedia:

 

Most of the filming was done in Dubuque, Iowa. Dubuque was chosen firstly because the older sections of the town looked more like Cleveland of the 1930s than Cleveland did at the time, and secondly because of the absence of roof-mounted television antennas due to most of the homes having cable television. Because of the large bluffs, over-the-air television signals had problems reaching homes in the low-lying areas, so a cable system was developed in the mid-1950s, which was considerably earlier than many other municipalities.

^What's FIST stand for?

 

Edit: it's actually F.I.S.T.  The Googles told me it's a Stallone movie from '78.