Mark Opera | Det Chansamone, a 53-year-old visual effects artist from Los Angeles, bought the empty Berkshire High School in Burton to convert into a massive film studio, including a 10,000-square-foot soundstage in the school’s gymnasium. His aim is to finish the full conversion in the next five years or so.
SOURCE: Cleveland Scene | Mark Opera
November 29, 2023
Thirty miles east of Cleveland, past the horse farms and cornfields off 422, is where Berkshire High School sits relatively quiet, save for the faint buzz of construction inside its gymnasium and the odd UPS driver parked out in front.
In the next five years, the scenery is fit to change. By the end of the decade, that red brick, century-old building on the fringe of Burton could be one of the most active film studios in Northeast Ohio.
SOURCE: WKYC 3 STUDIOS | Chris Webb
November 28, 2023
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indie Film Incubator is a program thrown by Cleveland Camera Rental that allows local filmmakers from all backgrounds to turn their ideas into movies.
This year, out of many submissions, six filmmakers of different backgrounds and experience levels were chosen to bring their stories to life: Amanda Bergeman, Payton Burkhammer, Matthew Hribar, Joyce Kostakis, Madison Ledyard-King and Nate Shively.
The Christmas Story House, recently offered for sale, is one of the highlights in the Google webpage devoted to Cleveland arts and culture.Courtesy Google, Marie-Isabella Rogers
SOURCE: Cleveland.com | Peter Chakerian, cleveland.com
November 28, 2023
CLEVELAND, Ohio– The longtime owner of A Christmas Story House and Museum has announced a change in ownership. Brian Jones, the former owner, announced the change in a post to the tourist destination website.
Joshua Dickerson, the current house and museum CEO is “taking an equity stake in the company and will become its Managing Partner,” according to Jones’ statement.
A native Clevelander, Dickerson has “been with the company for almost 16 years having assisted friends and family in their jobs at the company before being hired himself as a warehouse employee.”
Triangle Park Movie | “Triangle Park” takes audiences back to the early 20th century to explore the beginnings of professional football.
SOURCE: Ideastream | Kendall Crawford
November 22, 2023
Playgrounds and picnic tables dot Triangle Park in Dayton. The unassuming green space is similar to any number of parks in the city and across Ohio: a field of trees, a gravel path, plenty of grass to play on. But Triangle Park played a key role in America’s most popular sport.
In 1920, the Ohio site was home to the first-ever NFL game. A new documentary “Triangle Park” tells the story of the historic face-off between the Dayton Triangles and the Columbus Panhandles. It’s just one of many football firsts that the state can take pride in, said filmmaker Allen Farst.
SOURCE: News 5 Cleveland | Nadeen Abusada
November 21, 2023
WARREN, Ohio — You don’t need to go to Hollywood to make it on the big screen. A Northeast Ohio native had the dream of writing and directing films and now he’s doing just that in his hometown.
In the Midwest, “Sweetest Day” is a holiday to remind people that words, gifts, and deeds can make anyone’s day better. Well, one mid-westerner took the holiday and turned it into a horror movie, filmed in the place where he grew up.
SOURCE: Movieweb | Steven Thrash
November 21, 2023
Peter Billingsley and many of the cast members from A Christmas Story reunite for the beloved film’s 40th anniversary in Cleveland.
Fans of A Christmas Story received their own real-life version of Ralphie’s Red Ryder BB gun: the perfect gift. That BB gun was by far the best X-mas present Ralph Parker (Peter Billingsley) ever received. And over the weekend of November 10 through 12, 2023, the Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC) presented their own special gift to enthusiasts of the classic movie: A Christmas Story cast reunited to celebrate the holiday film’s 40th anniversary. Billingsley was among those of the original players to make an appearance and meet with all the fans in attendance.
Cleveland, OH –November 21, 2023 – The Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC) transported fans back in time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the timeless holiday classic, A Christmas Story, during an unforgettable gathering entitled Behind the Camera: Ralphie Comes Home.
Drawing over 2,000 fans from across the country, this recent weekend was described as “an enchanting affair dedicated to revisiting the cherished film that has warmed the hearts of countless generations during the holiday season.”
Behind the Camera Panel at Cleveland Public Music Hall. Photo by Gabe Wasylko
Devotees of the film had the extraordinary opportunity to connect with some of the creative minds behind the movie, including Peter Billingsley, the renowned actor famous for his portrayal of the endearing Ralphie.
“I’m so grateful to the Greater Cleveland Film Commission and the City of Cleveland for hosting such a fun and nostalgic event,” said Peter Billingsley. “It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since a small movie crew rolled into the city. From Higbees to downtown, and of course, ‘Good old Cleveland Street,’ the city and the fans have embraced A Christmas Story and made its enduring success possible.”
As attendees gathered, they walked the Cast Expo, an immersive experience where they could savor personal anecdotes from those involved in the film’s creation, obtain coveted autographs, and capture photographs. The event’s highlight was the Behind the Camera Panel held on Friday evening, hosted by TODAY’s Al Roker. This panel offered fans a unique and captivating glimpse into the meticulous craft that birthed this cinematic masterpiece.
This event didn’t stop at the silver screen. It also featured an array of exclusive merchandise, a captivating tour of iconic Cleveland Film locations, the lighthearted charm of the Cleveland Funny Bus Comedy City Tour, and an opportunity for fans to step into the shoes of their beloved characters by recreating iconic scenes from the film using the innovative SetJetters app.
“The Greater Cleveland Film Commission is grateful to the thousands of attendees from 30 states and Canada for their support of Behind the Camera: Ralphie Comes Home, the 40th anniversary cast reunion,” said Bill Garvey, president of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. “A Christmas Story exemplifies the power of one movie to attract lasting economic investment and job creation for Northeast Ohio. Over the 14-year lifetime of the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, the motion picture industry has generated $1.38 billion in Ohio. This recent fundraiser helps the film commission’s mission to grow the number of local high-paying jobs and investment into local small businesses in the NE Ohio motion picture industry.”
The GCFC, the driving force behind this remarkable celebration, expressed their heartfelt gratitude towards the event’s generous sponsors, whose unwavering support made this enchanting experience possible, showcasing the power of collaboration and community in bringing beloved cinematic treasures back to life.
About the Greater Cleveland Film Commission: The Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC) is the only 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to driving economic development and job creation by cultivating a robust film and television industry in Northeast Ohio. Since 2009, media projects in Ohio have generated over $1.38 billion in economic impact and created 7,092 full-time equivalent jobs. More than 70% of Ohio’s film tax incentive spending occurs in Greater Cleveland, thanks to our work. Please check out www.clevelandfilm.com for more information.
SOURCE: WKYC Channel 3 | Ryan Haidet, Emma Henderson
November 9, 2023
Lights… Camera… Action! Get ready, Northeast Ohio! Big plans are in place for some “major movies” to bring their productions to Cleveland. “People are going to be happy,” teases Cleveland Film Commission President Bill Garvey. “Some iconic, major movies are coming.” Garvey didn’t offer many additional details, but said there’s “a great slate of productions lined up for the next year.” “It’s going to be busy. You’re going to know we’re here because there’s a lot coming.”
Lights… Camera… Action! Get ready, Northeast Ohio! Big plans are in place for some “major movies” to bring their productions to Cleveland. “People are going to be happy,” teases Cleveland Film Commission President Bill Garvey. “Some iconic, major movies are coming.” Garvey didn’t offer many additional details, but said there’s “a great slate of productions lined up for the next year.” “It’s going to be busy. You’re going to know we’re here because there’s a lot coming.” Garvey’s update comes after news surfaced Wednesday night that a tentative deal had been reached to end the actors strike.
SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter | Katie Kilkenny
September 24, 2023
In a significant development that could bring an end to a historic writers strike, the union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers announced a provisional deal on Sunday.
After several long consecutive days of negotiations, the Writers Guild of America and the labor group representing studios and streamers have reached a tentative deal on a new contract in a major development that could precipitate the end of a historic, 146-day writers strike.
The Writers Guild of America emailed strike captains the news on Sunday night, and shortly after, its negotiating committee informed all members. “We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA, which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language,” the latter message stated. “We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional — with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.”
