FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2011

Contact: Ivan Schwarz
ischwarz@clevelandfilm.com

I, ALEX CROSS to shoot in Cleveland in Spring/Summer 2011

CLEVELAND – The Greater Cleveland Film Commission is excited to announce that I, ALEX CROSS, a film based on James Patterson’s best-selling book series, will be shot in Cleveland. The film is the fourth feature film to be shooting in the area during Spring/Summer 2011. The Ohio Film Office has confirmed that the film will receive an Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit. I, ALEX CROSS is expected to hire 183 Ohio-based crew and more than 1,700 cast members, including extras.

I, ALEX CROSS (starring Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox, Ed Burns, and Jean Reno) will be directed by Rob Cohen; produced by Bill Block, Paul Hanson, Norton Herrick, Teddy Schwarzman, and Leopoldo Gout; and executive produced by James Patterson, Steve Bowen, and Ethan Smith.

The book series the film is based on has had billions in sales worldwide and the film will focus on the original story that started it all. Alex Cross, doctor of psychology and expert homicide detective, investigates a series of murders and uncovers evidence that the killer has a much grander plan. After thwarting the killer’s next attack, Cross soon finds himself and his family among the killer’s next targets.

The film, marks the 11th project approved for a tax credit from the Northeast Ohio region since 2009, and the 5th to be confirmed for Spring/Summer 2011.

“This is shaping up to be, far and away, the busiest summer for movie production in Cleveland history,” said Ivan Schwarz, Executive Director of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. “The entire community – including our public partners, local cast and crew, and film vendors – has rallied around this industry. These films will continue to create jobs and economic benefits for the Cleveland region, while building a strong and sustainable media industry.”

“With the enlightened Ohio tax incentive I look forward to making one of the first films that can show all the state has to offer,” said director Rob Cohen.

“We are very pleased to be filming in Ohio and look forward to a successful project for everyone involved,” said producer Paul Hanson. “Both the Ohio Film Office and the Greater Cleveland Film Commission have been fantastic partners.”

“Once again, we have been able to successfully demonstrate that Ohio has the right mix of locations, partnerships, incentives, and customer service that makes us an ideal production destination,” said Amir Eylon, Director of the Ohio Tourism Division, which houses the Ohio Film Office. “We are thrilled that they have chosen Ohio as the film’s location.”

“Congratulations to our partners at the Greater Cleveland Film Commission for their success this season with bringing high profile film projects to the city. Each production brings immeasurable benefits to Cleveland … they bring exposure to our city and opportunities to our people,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson.

“We are thrilled to hear of another film that will be made here in Cuyahoga County this year,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald. “Cuyahoga County’s support of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission is part of a strategic investment in economic development, job creation and community marketing. Productions that film in Cuyahoga County are investing thousands of dollars in local services and vendors, from our hotels, restaurants to film-related companies that provide industry-standard services. They are hiring local residents and investing in local facilities for shooting, production, office space and more.”

Also filming in Cleveland and the surrounding area are The Avengers, Fun Size, Boot Tracks and Old Fashioned. Marvel Studios’ comic book action movie The Avengers will star Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Clark Gregg and Samuel L. Jackson. Joss Whedon is set to write and direct. Paramount Pictures’ Fun Size stars Nickelodeon’s Victoria Justice (Zoey 101, Victorious, iCarly) and will be directed by Josh Schwartz (Gossip Girl, Chuck). Boot Tracks, starring Michelle Monaghan and Stephen Dorff, will be directed by David Jacobson (Down in the Valley). Old Fashioned, written and directed by Rik Swartzwelder, will film in and around Tuscarawas County and is about former frat boy and a free-spirited woman who together attempt the impossible: an “old-fashioned” courtship in contemporary America. The Greater Cleveland Film Commission has been working with each of these films to bring them to the Cleveland area and estimates that these films alone will invest at least $50 million into the region in the next 6 months.

Since the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit began in Fiscal Year 2010, the Ohio Film Office has provided more than $34 million in tax credits to Ohio productions, which are expected to employ more than 11,300 Ohioans and contribute more than $129 million to Ohio’s economy.

In order to be eligible for the tax credit, production companies must show reviewable progress to the Ohio Film Office within 90 days of receiving the notification letter. In addition, they will only receive the tax credit upon the completion of production.

The Greater Cleveland Film Commission is a private, non-profit economic and workforce development organization committed to bringing film and other media production to Northeast Ohio to strengthen the workforce, support the media production industry and attract media production to the region. To learn more about the Greater Cleveland Film Commission and for the latest updates on film and media production in Northeast Ohio, visit www.clevelandfilm.com.

The Ohio Film Office administers the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, which helps advance the motion picture industry in the State of Ohio, creating job opportunities and revenue. The Ohio Film Office aggressively recruits outside production activity to Ohio and helps retain and grow existing Ohio production companies and related businesses with the assistance and collaboration of industry partners. The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, totaling $30 million for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011, is calculated in two components: Ohio resident cast and crew wages will be credited at 35 percent. All other eligible production expenditures will be credited at 25 percent. For more information on the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, visit www.ohiofilmoffice.com.

Working with partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio’s future.

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