Carol taking a break as a German Pedestrian extra with her fellow extras and “sons” Matt and Fourney.

It’s fitting that long-time supporter turned GCFC Member, and retired local crew member, Carol Maple Oppenheim is featured in this month’s spotlight; she first got her start in the Cleveland film scene in August 2011 when she was cast as a German pedestrian extra in The Avengers! 

“Before The Avengers, working in the film business had never crossed my mind,” Carol says, “but I found the entire process exciting and fascinating — the complexity, the teamwork and coordination among the myriad of departments, the logistics, the energy. And of course, there’s no more exciting place to begin than on the set of a Marvel film!”

After her first week of filming, Carol was hooked, “I thought, ‘I’ve got to find a way to do more of this – but next time I want to be on the crew!'”

Like many people interested in a career in the film industry, Carol wasn’t sure how to get started.  The first thing she did was sign up for the eNewsletters from the Greater Cleveland Film Commission.

“I started attending the [Media] Mixers that fall, and heard Ivan speak at one of the libraries.”  GCFC President Ivan Schwarz was giving a talk about how members of the public could get their start working in the Cleveland film industry.

In his talk, Ivan mentioned an upcoming workshop called the Production Assistant Training Seminar, which Carol attended with her then high-school aged son. The seminar turned out to be an invaluable resource for both of them in learning film set protocol and etiquette, as well as the skills and attitudes needed to land their first film jobs.  Carol’s son actually went on to major in film in college and is now living in Los Angeles and working at a post-production house.

“That seminar really got me started,” Carol says.

Carol in the accounting office of “Jenny’s Wedding” with Hildy, Producer Michelle Manning’s dog.

Over the next several years, Carol worked as a Set Production Assistant on the 2012 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and despite no prior accounting experience, found her niche unexpectedly in the accounting department for the film The Kings of Summer.  She went on to be an accounting clerk for Captain America – The Winter Soldier, then moved up to accounting assistant for Jenny’s Wedding, With This Ring, and Survivor’s Remorse.

For Carol, the film industry is “one of the few remaining industries where if you have a strong work ethic, you can really ‘learn on on the job’. I am a prime example.”

Carol appreciates that the film industry provides opportunities to people across the broad spectrum of skills, education and abilities, many of which do not require a college degree. Without prior film or accounting experience, her willingness to learn on the job and attend workshops, in addition to some self-study, helped her move up from a Production Assistant into the accounting department.

“I love how that broad range of people all work together, interact and pull together to create something.”

When it was time for her to move on from working in the Cleveland film scene, Carol transitioned from crew member to ardent GCFC supporter, and then to GCFC Member!

“I continue to support the GCFC for many reasons – gratitude for the opportunities it gave me and respect for the incredibly hard-working Cleveland film crew community I grew to know and love – but mostly because I believe in its mission: that growing an ever-stronger media production industry is vital for creating jobs and economic impact here in Greater Cleveland.”

Support the GCFC and film in Cleveland by becoming a member like Carol. Click HERE for membership information.

Your membership creates a direct economic impact by making the GCFC’s movie attraction efforts, workforce development events, internships, and our statewide advocacy efforts all possible.

Your house could be featured in the next Cleveland blockbuster!

We are adding more homes to our Locations Database, and want to add yours!  We need houses that are big, small, old, new, lakefront, in the woods, you name it.  The more variety we have in our database, the more options we can provide to productions wanting to film in Northeast Ohio.

Don’t think your house is cut out to be on the silver screen? Directors and producers look for homes that feel authentic to their characters and their story, whether that be a mansion or a modest, middle-class home.  Not every script calls for granite countertops and a pool in the backyard; the more unique character a home has on its own, the better!

For homeowners, sometimes having your house turned into a movie set can turn into a chance to meet production cast and crew as well as get a behind-the-scenes look at how a film comes to life.

Would you like your house to be the location of the next big Cleveland Film? Contact Production Coordinator Mike Wendt at [email protected] to get your house listed!

GCFC Member and event supporter Jon Wagner is a lifelong Clevelander who is excited about all of the great things happening to revitalize the city.

A large part of that revitalization is the work that the Greater Cleveland Film Commission is doing to increase media production and create jobs not only in Cleveland, but in all of Northeast Ohio.

“As I look at Cleveland today, I believe more than at any point in the past that our community is on the verge of something great,” Jon says, “and the work of a few critical groups will be the difference in reaching that greatness.”

Jon also says that under President Ivan Schwarz’s leadership, the GCFC is “absolutely one of those groups”.  GCFC Partners around Northeast Ohio are also among the few critical groups making positive impacts.

Together, these groups are helping to further realize the GCFC’s vision of strengthening the region’s workforce, supporting the media production industry that’s already here, and attracting more media production to the region to increase economic development for all of Northeast Ohio.

“As I see it, helping Ivan and helping the GCFC  means helping Cleveland.”

Help the GCFC and support film in Cleveland by becoming a member like Jon. Click HERE for member info.

Your membership creates a direct economic impact by making the GCFC’s movie attraction efforts, workforce development events, internships, and our statewide advocacy all possible.

We want to say a huge thank you to the cast and crew of the The Last Summer, which recently wrapped production!!

Movie’s like this help keep the spotlight on Northeast Ohio’s media production industry, providing jobs for our local professionals and generating economic impact.

Hear what the crew had to say about the Greater Cleveland Film Commission and filming in Cleveland!

We want to say thank you to the cast and crews from Native Son and I See You, which have both wrapped production.

Both productions helped keep the spotlight on Northeast Ohio’s media production industry, providing jobs for our local professionals and generating economic impact.

Check out these photos from Native Son‘s Wrap Party!

Vanessa on the set of “Hal King” as Property Master

GCFC Member, volunteer, and local crew member Vanessa Capella may not have been born in Cleveland, but she is still just as proud to call this city home, and is passionate about helping the Greater Cleveland Film Commission create jobs.

“When I arrived in Cleveland three years ago, I started researching the local media industry to continue my career – even with years of experience in media and events, it’s not easy to restart in a new place.”

In her research, Vanessa found out about the GCFC and our work to create media production jobs in the region.

“I heard about GCFC and realized that our objectives were very in tune. I was looking for opportunities and the Commission was working to bring more films and media productions to the region, and consequently, more jobs. Bingo!”

Vanessa first got involved with the GCFC by volunteering for our Annual Behind the Camera Fundraiser with Tom Hanks in December of 2016.  She also attended Tri-C’s Intensive Film Crew Training taught by industry professionals, adding that it was the “best workshop” she had attended.

From the “Native Son” Wrap Party: (Left) Actor Nick Robinson (“The Kings of Summer”, Des Matelske, Actor Ashton Sanders (“Moonlight”), Katlyn Neylon, and Vanessa Capella.

Vanessa soon had the chance to work as a Production Assistant on several Cleveland films, including Escape Plan 3 and Native Son, which just wrapped last month in Cleveland.  She was also involved in the short film Swipe Right, written and directed by Des Matelske, who she met at the Tri-C workshop. About Swipe Right, which was selected by various film festivals, including NYC Independent Film Festival, she said she “could not be more happy to be the Production Designer for this amazing project!”

Vanessa is currently working on The Last Summer as it’s winding down filming this month.

“When I got my first paycheck, I became a GCFC member. I’m really glad about the opportunities I had, and that was my way to say ‘thank you’ to the Commission. Keep doing this great work, GCFC, we are here ready for more!”

To become a GCFC Member like Vanessa and support film in Cleveland, click HERE!

Your membership creates a direct economic impact by making the GCFC’s movie attraction efforts, workforce development events, and our statewide advocacy all possible.

Ohio House Bill 525 would create jobs for Northeast Ohio,
and your representatives need to know you support it!

Contact your State Representatives HERE

House Bill 525 would increase the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit from $40 million to $100 million, allowing for the creation of many more new jobs for the state, but more specifically, for Northeast Ohio.

H.B. 525 would more than double the current film tax incentive and would also make some Broadway shows eligible for the benefit as well. Broadways shows that run in Ohio for at least five weeks, with at least six performances a week, would qualify for the tax credit, as would off-Broadway shows looking to work out the kinks before opening in New York City. With Cleveland having the second largest theater district outside of New York, that means shows could run for up to five months.

The money spent on the incentive makes Ohio more competitive than other states when Hollywood and Broadway productions scout for production locations. If H.B. 525 is made into law, we will have one of, if not, the best incentive in the country because it will encompass theater production in addition to film and TV production.

The passage of H.B. 525 will allow for the creation of a more permanent Ohio workforce in film, TV and live theater. With the tax credit being distributed twice a year, instead of the current annual award, it allows for greater flexibility to include more new projects as they become available, increasing the amount of production that can be happening at one time.

H.B. 525 will require applicants to show the positive economic impact that their production would have on the state; the amount of money a production will receive will be based on their impact.

Use these templates when you contact your representatives by email, phone, or mail!

Crew Member Template
Vendor Template
Community Member Template

GCFC Member, and local filmmaker, Johnny Wu will premiere his film Innerself on Saturday, May 12th at 8:00 pm at Atlas Cinemas Lakeshore 7!

(Left to Right) Donn Nottage, behind-the-scenes video on “Innerself”; Johnny Wu, GCFC Member & Writer/Director of “Innerself”; Mikhail Tot, cast member of “Innerself” at the GCFC Media Mixer on May 2.

Johnny has been involved in the Cleveland film community since 1998 (the same year the GCFC was founded). He has seen it grow firsthand, and sees Cleveland as a real hub for Hollywood filmmaking.

As an independant filmmaker, Johnny has learned a lot about working in the city with fellow filmmakers. He  appreciates local businesses providing their support and opportunities for local film.

“While challenging myself, and helping local filmmakers, Cleveland needs to have a spotlight in place for studio-run films to be engaged here; the Greater Cleveland Film Commission does that,” Johnny says. “I’ve always felt that, being a filmmaker, we should continue to support the film industry in any capacity we can; if we can’t provide financial support, then we provide other support that we can afford.”

Johnny has always been focused on giving back to his community, which is why he became a member of the GCFC, and he encourages other local independent artists to do the same.

“Greater Cleveland Film Commission’s job is to bring opportunities to Cleveland, and to have more productions film in the city, not only to bring jobs, but also to help local talents rise to the occasion. Everyone wins. When there is a chance to give to a nonprofit organization, Greater Cleveland Film Commission is on the top of my list to support.”

Click HERE to become a GCFC Member like Johnny, and support film in Cleveland!

Innerself is a martial arts, musical comedy that follows Ed, a naïve young man who has been bullied his entire life, and finally decides to do something about it. He studies martial arts, develops into an expert fighter and begins fighting everyone – from his bullies to his sensei.  Kicked out of school for fighting unnecessarily, Ed struggles to become a better man. Meanwhile, his new sensei is attempting to take over his former school and is using Ed to do it.

More information on the screening HERE.

We are so excited to have I See You filming in Cleveland this summer!

Actress Helen Hunt

I See You is a thriller directed by Adam Randall (Netflix’s iBoy) and written by Devon Graye.

The film will star Helen Hunt (Twister) as the wife of a lead investigator in a child abduction case which has brought a spotlight onto a case from the past. The investigator struggles to find a way to forgive his wife for cheating, and while she struggles with guilt, she begins to lose her grip on reality. Soon, a malicious presence begins to manifest itself in their home, and puts their young son in mortal danger.

Zodiac Pictures’ Matt Waldeck is the producer for I See You, with Ben Hecht as executive producer alongside Hilary Davis, Stephen Kelliher and Patrick Howson for Bankside Films, and Phil Hunt and Compton Ross for Head Gear Films.

I See You began filming on May 7th, and will be in production through June.

Want to be an extra on I See You? Click HERE for details!

We are so excited to have The Last Summer filming in Cleveland this summer!

Cast of “The Last Summer” (left to right) K.J. Apa, Maia Mitchell, and Jacob Latimore

The Last Summer is a romantic comedy starring K.J. Apa (Riverdale), Maia Mitchell (The Fosters), and Jacob Latimore (The Maze Runner).

The film follows a group of friends as they spend their ‘last summer’ together before college as they get ready to take control of their lives and their futures for the first time. In true rom-com fashion, The Last Summer weaves the stories of its characters together as they wrestle with love, relationship troubles with their parents, and ultimately, the question of who they will be and what they will do with their lives.

The Last Summer began shooting on May 7th, and will be in production around Northeast Ohio through June.