As many of you know, this past July I took on the role of Executive Director for FilmDayton. What you may not know is that also meant taking classes to learn how to run a film commission. I got my certification and today FilmDayton announced we are officially becoming The Greater Dayton Region Film Commission. We’ve been doing that work unofficially for years, and now we are a certified Film Commission, through the Association of Film Commissioners International. We celebrate tonight with a special screening of Miles Ahead, the Don Cheadle film about legendary musician Miles Davis. As this invite only screening at The Neon, we’ll have an audience of crew that worked on the motion picture, with FilmDayton supporters. We’ve chosen the debut of this film, which had scenes shot at the Dayton Jail and ReFraze Studio in Kettering, to announce our new focus. We are confident
FilmDayton will continue to showcase our region’s talent and resources to local and out-of-state companies seeking assistance with film and television production. We’ll continue offering location assistance and coordination with crew and services. The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit has generated more than $400 million in economic impact to the state since its inception. For every $1 invested, there has been a return of $2.01*. But most of that business has gone to Cleveland and Cincinnati. Without a film commission, Dayton hasn’t even been at the table to try to recruit productions to the region.
Now FilmDayton will promote and market the nine county region, in order to recruit and facilitate the production of film, television, commercials, corporate videos, music videos, and documentaries, as well as emerging forms of media. Film Commissioner Lisa Grigsby explains, “ in simple terms, the film commission acts as a concierge service for productions interested in using the Greater Dayton region as a backdrop.” It’s been a long time coming, but as FilmDayton Board President Shaunn Baker shares, “the commission has been a goal since the organization started in 2008, and I’m glad we’ve finally made it happen.”
The state tax credit that is doing so much to bring films to Ohio has used up this year’s rebate money, but look for a flurry of activity this summer, as the states new fiscal year replenishes the $20 million dollar fund for filmmakers.
