Don’t Let Me Go begins streaming July 15 on Prime Video. (Courtesy of Amazon Content Services) Courtesy of Prime Video

SOURCE: Cleveland.com | John Benson
July 11, 2022

CLEVELAND, Ohio — There’s perhaps nothing more awkward than a father looking for a fun day out with his daughter but accidentally taking her to a nude beach instead.

That uncomfortableness you’re feeling acts as the heartbeat of new feature film “Don’t Let Me Go,” which begins streaming Friday on Amazon Prime Video.

While the drama includes plenty of comedy, “Don’t Make Me G”o follows a single father (John Cho) and his reluctant teenage daughter (Mia Isaac) as they embark on an unforgettable cross-country road trip discovering new levels of their love for each other and the unexpected twists and turns life has in store.

The movie was written by Vera Herbert, a former Youngstown resident who graduated from Ursuline High School in 2007. The four-time Emmy-nominated writer and producer is best known for her work on NBC series “This is Us.

We recently caught up with Herbert to talk about “Don’t Let Me Go,” father-daughter relationships and nude beaches.

Arizona Compass Prep’s Marquis Cook #1 is seen against National Christian Academy during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Saturday, January 15, 2022, in Springfield, MA. Arizona Compass won the game. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)AP

SOURCE: Cleveland.com | Joey Morona
May 20, 2022

CLEVELAND, Ohio — “Shooting Stars,” the LeBron James biopic currently filming in Cleveland and Akron, has found its star. Marquis “Mookie” Cook, a high school basketball phenom at Arizona Compass Prep in suburban Phoenix and a University of Oregon recruit, will play a young James in the story focusing on the NBA superstar’s formative years growing up in the inner city of Akron. The news was first reported by the Hollywood Reporter.

SOURCE: WKYC 3 Studios | Chris Webb
May 9, 2022

A production crew films a scene for “Shooting Stars” in Shaker Heights on Monday, May 2. [Carrie Wise / Ideastream Public Media]

SOURCE: Ideastream | Carrie Wise
May 4, 2022

Just before sunset Monday evening, crew members filmed a movie scene from the front steps of a Shaker Heights home.

This was one of several shoots in the Shaker area this week for the LeBron James’ biopic “Shooting Stars.” Filming in Akron, Cleveland and other locations around the region will continue until the beginning of June, according to Bill Garvey, president of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission.

“It’s a good, high quality, positive story,” Garvey said. “Stories like that, it’s important to tell them, especially local stories and stories as impressive and as inspiring as LeBron’s story.”

Garvey’s organization helps film projects like this one set up production in Ohio. The commission also lobbies for government support to bring filming to the region. The state approved $7.6 million for this production as part of Ohio’s Motion Picture Tax Credit program, which awards up to $40 million annually.

Garvey is pushing for lawmakers to remove the cap on the incentives in order to lure more business to the state.

“I think the demand for content is greater than ever, and because of that, there’s more production dollars flying around searching for a landing spot,” he said.

Other states are hoping to attract more production business too. For instance, Pennsylvania’s film industry is lobbying lawmakers to allocate $125 million for tax credits. In Michigan, advocates seek to bring back film incentives that were previously scrapped. By comparison, California and New York allocate hundreds of millions in production credits annually.

“Shooting Stars” is set to premiere on the Peacock streaming platform in 2023.

Production crews work at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Fairmount and Coventry in Cleveland Heights
Photo: Vic Gideon

SOURCE: WTAM 1100
APRIL 27, 2022

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS — Production on the LeBron James movie, “Shooting Stars,” has begun in Cleveland and will continue for another two months.

Tuesday, crews took exteriors in Cleveland Heights at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Fairmount and Cedar, blocking off roads in the area, but according to Bill Garvey, President of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, it’s a small inconvenience considering the benefit.

“We’re happy to have LeBron back in town,” Garvey said. “Obviously, he’s a big supporter of what we do and he’s been here before with other project he’s made in Northeast Ohio.”

The movie is set in 2003 and based on the LeBron and Buzz Bissinger book of the same name, chronicling the St. Vincent/St. Mary state championship basketball run while LeBron played in high school. Garvey says he doesn’t know if Bronny, LeBron’s son, will play the NBA superstar as a teenager.

“It’s LeBron’s formative years so there’s an actor playing LeBron and his teammates and they’re current basketball players in the AAU circuit,” Garvey would only say.

LeBron’s Spring Hill production company will produce the movie and will bring $25 million dollars into the region. The movie will be shot entirely in Cleveland and Akron.

WJW Photo

SOURCE: FOX 8 News Cleveland | Alex Stokes
April 25, 2022

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) — The lights, the cameras and all the action came to quiet Woodmere Drive in Cleveland Heights Monday.

“It’s been really exciting and a lot of fun to watch,” said neighbor Muffy Kaesberg.

The major motion picture being shot at a century home on the street is “Shooting Stars,” a biopic about Akron-born basketball legend LeBron James and his high school run with the Fab 5 to the championship in 2003.

“It obviously is a highlight for our neighborhood and we love our neighborhood,” said Myra Evans.

Mikki McCubbin owns the home that was tented to make it look like nighttime.

“This house is going to be the coach’s house from when he was little,” McCubbin said. “This house is from a couple of scenes from when he was young, and they were having parties in here and drinking and stuff.”

She is no stranger to the movie industry.

“I’m originally from Los Angeles, I used to work in special effects makeup so I have been around this a lot, it’s kind of like, it’s cool, it’s very cool though for this area and I love that they’re utilizing Cleveland,” she said.

Universal Studios also used the old South High gym, which according to a tweet from Slavic Village development was transformed into St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. Filming is also happening in the Akron and Canton areas.

“In my opinion, this is the best region to make movies. It’s a Shangri-La for moviemakers,” said Greater Cleveland Film Commission President Bill Garvey.

He says the film will bring in an estimated $25.5 million dollars to the local economy.

“It spotlights the industry that we’re building in Northeast Ohio and bringing jobs and economic investment into our region,” he said.

Even though filming is well underway, Angela Boehm casting says they’re still looking for 6,000 extras for Shooting Stars.

We spotted actors like Caleb McLaughlin and Khalil Everage from Netflix’s “Stranger Things” and “Cobra Kai” respectively, on set.

“Our street seems to be famous. A few years ago Katie Holmes filmed a movie on the next block down,” said Kaesberg.

The residents we spoke to are excited to be part of the Hollywood story on the four-time NBA champion.

“I think LeBron James is just such a role model for so many people and especially young black boys so we are just so happy to see his story brought to the big screen,” said Evans.

CREDIT: JOHN MCCOY/GETTY

SOURCE: People | Natasha Dye
April 20, 2022