Documentary with LeBron James highlights, follows students at Akron’s I Promise School

Posted on October 6, 2021

Professional artist Kris Rhymes gifted the I PROMISE SCHOOL with a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork. (Source: LeBron James Family Foundation)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE: Cleveland 19 News | Chris Anderson
October 6, 2021

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A new documentary produced by LeBron James and his team at The SpringHill Company shows what it’s like to live a day in the life of students at Akron’s I Promise School.

Film crews followed along with students and teachers during the school’s inaugural academic year for the YouTube documentary.

According to the documentary’s description:

“From executive producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter comes the story of the first academic year inside the groundbreaking I Promise School. With students selected from the lower 25th percentile across the district, the film explores the day-to-day trials, tribulations and triumphs of students and families growing up in Akron, Ohio. I Promise delivers a story of resilience in the face of adversity and shares a new model for urban, public education – a holistic, STEM-focused approach led by love and Social Emotional Learning infused with the LeBron James Family Foundation’s “We Are Family” philosophy. And what’s at stake? Nothing short of these kids’ lives.”

 

 

Cleveland’s Asian entertainment industry to boom with new, upcoming films

Posted on October 6, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE: WKYC 3 Studios | Anna Meyer
October 6, 2021

The Asian entertainment scene in Cleveland is growing at a rapid speed with an abundance of new and upcoming films.

Upcoming Film: Lunchbox

Cleveland Taiwanese American Native Anne Hu is returning to the film scene with her new film Lunchbox. The film will feature a Taiwanese American woman that is preparing lunches from her childhood. As she makes these meals, she realizes that she struggles to forgive herself for pushing away her immigrant mother many years ago. The filming of Lunchbox will take place in Cleveland towards the middle of the month.

MIXED Documentary Premiere 

The Greater Cleveland Film Commission will be hosting American University professors and documentarians such as Northeast Ohio-native Leena Jayaswal for the MIXED Cleveland Premiere & Community Conversations. The event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. Tickets can be purchased here. The documentary is presented by the Center for Asian American Media.

Johnny Wu’s Latest Film Premiere 

On Sept. 18, Cleveland Native Johnny K. Wu held a special VIP premiere of his new film, “The Wu Lin Society.” The special event was well received as 250 people attended in person and 24 attended virtually.

The night was full of surprises for attendees as they enjoyed a live comedian and surprise films on top of the “Wu Lin The Society” showing. The feedback has been positive from attendees and the movie already has received 10 awards.

2021 LMGI Awards Nominees include Cleveland ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ Crew

Posted on August 20, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE: Location Managers Guild International
August 20, 2021

THE LMGI AWARDS are an Internationally recognized celebration of the outstanding contributions of location professionals in feature film, television and commercial advertising. The Awards spotlight our craft, honoring productions in which the creative use of filming locations sets the tone, enriches the character and inspires the storytelling narrative. Film commissions are celebrated for their exemplary service.

 

 

Russ Mitchell goes one-on-one with incoming Greater Cleveland Film Commission President Bill Garvey

Posted on August 13, 2021

SOURCE: WKYC 3 Studios | Jessica Miller, Russ Mitchell
August 13, 2021

CLEVELAND — As Hollywood ramps up it’s recovery after the pandemic, the Northeast Ohio film industry is poised for a new era of leadership under Bill Garvey, who takes over as the new president of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission next month.

In a new interview with 3News’ Russ Mitchell, Garvey says, the region is an ideal spot for filmmaking.

“We have amazing architecture here. We have amazing infrastructure. The people are great,” he said. “This is an industry that we can be successful at.”

A location manager with 20-plus years of experience, Garvey has spent the last 13 of those here in Ohio. He is credited with helping to bring films like “The Fate of the Furious” and Marvel’s “The Avengers” to Cleveland.

He succeeds Evan Miller, who held the position for less than two years, and longtime president Ivan Schwartz, who led the organization from 2006 to 2013.

Garvey says his main focus is to bring more productions here to Northeast Ohio.

“And that goes hand in hand with the film tax incentive,” he explained.  “So right now we have a $40 million cap. I want to raise that to increase production, to strengthen it – because we have good production here.”

Production that Garvey believes could one day rival Georgia, which has exploded as a major entertainment industry hub in recent years.

“It’s everybody’s competition. It’s the pinnacle. I mean, it’s really where all movies are going these days,” he said. “Marvel has set up shop there, Disney, Apple…there, there’s so much production there. It’s robust.  Thousands of people are working, and there really good-paying jobs.”

And Garvey believes the sky’s the limit in terms of how large the industry could grow in Northeast Ohio.

“It’s all about political willpower to increase the tax incentive. So once we do that, the jobs will flow.”

Since the motion picture tax credit program launched in Ohio in 2009, Cleveland has played host to more than 300 productions. And now, Garvey says we’re poised for a post-Covid comeback.

“Right now we have movies filming all the time. We have three coming in, in the fall,” he said. “We have an explosion of production happening unlike any other time, because there’s a vacuum of content [because of the pandemic shut downs] that all these streaming services need to fill. And now is the time to seize this opportunity.”

It’s a vision that could help re-write Cleveland’s story – just like a Hollywood screenplay.

“There’s a lot to like about the new business,” Garvey said. “It’s a growing industry. When you see manufacturing going away, this is an industry that’s growing. Why can’t we?”

Cleveland-based Transition Studios finds worldwide audience

Posted on July 15, 2021

SOURCE: WKYC Channel 3 Studios | Chris Webb
July 15, 2021

CLEVELAND — Transition is a film studio full of Netflix top 10 documentaries, awards and national press. Founder and CEO. Sean Rech says this Cleveland based company has seen a lot of growth in a short period of time.

“I’m 56. I started this when I was 43 with my business partner, Ralph McGreevey. At my age, with no experience, I wasn’t going to get anyone to hire me to make movies in Hollywood or anywhere else. So I figured I had to create my own job,” Rech recalled.

And that’s exactly what Sean did. After making seasons of Crimestoppers for TV, Sean, and the team switched gears into documentary filmmaking.

 

 

Greater Cleveland Film Commission names Bill Garvey as president

Posted on July 13, 2021

Photo by Jeff Downie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE: Crain’s Cleveland Business | Scott Suttell
July 13, 2021

The Greater Cleveland Film Commission this fall will have a new president who has worked on some of Hollywood’s biggest recent productions — including several shot in Ohio.

The nonprofit organization on Tuesday, July 13, announced that Bill Garvey, a longtime location manager for television and movie productions, will become president effective Sept. 27. Garvey will fill a position that has been vacant since Evan Miller left the film commission in December after 18 months on the job in a departure that was characterized as a mutual decision between both parties.

 

 

Greater Cleveland Film Commission Hires New President

Posted on July 13, 2021

Bill Garvey [Greater Cleveland Film Commission]. Photo by Jeff Downie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE: Ideastream Public Media | Carrie Wise
July 13, 2021

The Greater Cleveland Film Commission announced the hiring of a new president Tuesday. Bill Garvey will lead the organization, which promotes TV and film production in the region, effective Sept. 27.

Garvey has worked as a location manager, securing sites for films and shows in Ohio, with credits including “The Avengers,” “Captain America” and “Fast & Furious: The Fate of the Furious,” according to a press release.

 

 

Greater Cleveland Film Commission names Bill Garvey as new president

Posted on July 13, 2021

The Greater Cleveland Film Commission announced that longtime television and motion picture location manager Bill Garvey has been named the organization’s new president, effective September 27. Photo by Jeff Downie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE: Cleveland.com | Joey Morona
July 13, 2021

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Greater Cleveland Film Commission has named Bill Garvey as its new president. He succeeds Evan Miller, who left the organization in December after 18 months on the job.

Garvey is a television and movie location manager based in Ohio who helped bring movie productions such as “The Fate of the Furious,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Marvel’s The Avengers” to Cleveland. As head of the GCFC, his main focus will be to promote the region as a hot spot for film and television production where producers and filmmakers can take advantage of the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit.

 

 

Greater Cleveland Film Commission introduces Bill Garvey as next president

Posted on July 13, 2021

SOURCE: WKYC Channel 3 Studios | Ryan Haidet
July 13, 2021

CLEVELAND — His credits include work on The Avengers, Captain America: Winter Soldier, Shutter Island, The Sopranos and more. Now, Motion Picture Location Manager Bill Garvey is taking on a new role as the new president of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission starting Sept. 27.

“During his 26 years in the industry, Garvey has forged relationships with Marvel, Disney, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros., Netflix, HBO and NBC,” according to a press release from the Greater Cleveland Film Commission.

 

 

 

Schauer Group announces Century of Service Nonprofit Award program finalists for 2021

Posted on July 1, 2021

13 Cleveland-area nonprofits compete for prize that includes 100 service hours and $5,000 cash donation.

SOURCE: Schauer Group | July 1, 2021

CLEVELAND, OH (July 1, 2021) — Schauer Group, the region’s innovative risk management, business insurance and human capital services firm, has announced that 13 Cleveland-area nonprofits are finalists in the company’s Century of Service Nonprofit Award program.

The Century of Service program is designed to provide nonprofits who are physically located in or offer services in the Cleveland metro area the opportunity to compete for an awards package that includes a donation of 100 service hours from Schauer Group associates and a one-time cash donation of $5,000.

Voting begins July 2. The Century of Service finalists and their respective missions are:
  • America SCORES Cleveland: To inspire youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world.
  • Butterflies Landing: to influence, empower and mentor women who struggle with substance abuse, mental health issues, and readjusting to society after being incarcerated.
  • The City Mission: To provide help and hope to all people through the transforming power of God’s love.
  • Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank: To foster improved literacy and a love of reading by providing free books to children through community partnerships.
  • Cleveland Rape Crisis Center: To support survivors of rape and sexual abuse, promote healing and prevention and advocate for social change.
  • Cornerstone of Hope: To provide support, education, and hope for the grieving.
  • Empower Sports: To enrich the lives of athletes of diverse challenges through sports and exercise while promoting kindness, character, and tolerance.
  • Engage! Cleveland: To attract, engage and retain young, diverse talent to Greater Cleveland by connecting young professionals to people, jobs, organizations, and events.
  • Greater Cleveland Film Commission: To promote increased media production in Northeast Ohio using effective strategies for attraction and workforce development including building an artistic infrastructure through film.
  • The Haven Home: To serve under-resourced women and their children by empowering sustainable independence.
  • Pathway Caring for Children: To help children and families realize the possibilities of their lives through foster care, adoption, and counseling.
  • Providence House: To protect at-risk children and support families through crisis, strengthening communities to end child abuse and neglect.
  • Steven G. Cancer Foundation: To build community and support for the AYA (Adolescent and Young Adult) cancer community through wellness, storytelling, education, and research.

Finalists were selected by a panel of Schauer Group associates based upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to: quality of application, demonstration of need and alignment with Schauer Group company core values. Schauer Group has provided a voting portal online at SchauerGroup.com/vote that launches July 2.

Voting will take place from Friday, July 2, through Friday, July 16. Voting will be open to the community at large, including any employees, board members and clients of the competing organizations. Individuals may cast one single vote each day during the voting window.

The finalist organization who receives the most votes when voting concludes on July 16, will receive the Century of Service donation from Schauer Group. The winner of the Century of Service Award—receiving 100 service hours and a $5,000 donation—will be announced on Monday, July 19.

ABOUT SCHAUER GROUP

Based in Canton, Ohio, Schauer Group, Inc. is one of the largest independently owned insurance and risk management firms in Ohio, providing risk management, business insurance, human capital services, employee benefits, contract surety, and personal insurance to a variety of clients nationwide. As the nation’s first ISO Registered Independent Insurance Agency, Schauer Group maintains a commitment to quality and excellence, achieving an industry-leading 95 percent client retention rate. The fourth-generation, family-owned company is celebrating its 102nd anniversary in 2021.