Motion Picture Location manager Bill Garvey named as New President|Photo by Jeff Downie
CLEVELAND, OH (July 12, 2021) – The Greater Cleveland Film Commission is pleased to announce that longtime Television and Motion Picture Location Manager Bill Garvey has been named the organization’s new President, effective September 27.
During his 26 years in the industry, Garvey has forged relationships with Marvel, Disney, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros., Netflix, HBO and NBC. Since moving to Ohio in 2008, he has spearheaded the filming of “Fast & Furious: Fate of the Furious,” “Captain America: Winter Soldier” and “The Avengers,” among others.
Garvey’s credits prior to working in Ohio include “Shutter Island,” “National Treasure,” “Spiderman 2” and “The Manchurian Candidate.” For television, he also spent four seasons working on “Law & Order” and “The Sopranos.”
“Greater Cleveland has the architecture and infrastructure to become a major power player in the motion picture industry,” Garvey said. “Coming out of the COVID shutdown, there’s an explosion of content poised to enter production this year — a growth in production unlike any other time. But none of these movies will film in Ohio if not for the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit. The Greater Cleveland Film Commission has laid the groundwork for the last decade to build the industry here. There’s an urgent need to strengthen the Motion Picture Tax even further if we are to seize this substantial opportunity. The work of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission is essential to the continued growth of a robust, diverse industry workforce. These new economy jobs can keep our talented youth in Ohio while at the same time attract talent from out of state to move here. The GCFC’s partnership with the Tri-C Film Academy and Cleveland State University’s School of Film & Media Arts goes hand-in-hand with the rise of Northeast Ohio as a motion-picture hub.”
In his new role, Garvey will build upon the success the GCFC has already achieved in nurturing motion-picture investment here, and leverage his partnerships in television and motion-picture production to showcase Northeast Ohio to the world.
“We are pleased that Bill has accepted this essential role that will ensure that Cleveland will continue to grow as a motion-picture destination,” says Greater Cleveland Film Commission board chairman Tim Birch. “Under his leadership, the organization will be instrumental in attracting and generating the economic impact that will help the region thrive. His first-hand knowledge will help train and grow future industry professionals in Northeast Ohio.”
ABOUT THE GREATER CLEVELAND FILM COMMISSION
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC) is a 501c3 nonprofit, whose mission is to create jobs and economic impact for Northeast Ohio through a vibrant film and media arts industry. GCFC was the driving force behind the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit (OMPTC) in 2009. Since then GCFC has attracted over 300 productions, most recently “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Cherry” and Liam Neeson’s “The Marksman.” These projects have created 6,192 full-time equivalent jobs and brought over $1.1 billion into Ohio’s economy. GCFC connects cast and crew talent directly to production opportunities and invests in a strong local workforce by presenting workshops, seminars, FilmSkills training and internships, designed to give local talent the education, experience and professional connections to succeed in the film industry. GCFC works tirelessly to expand the film industry in Northeast Ohio, train and support a local workforce in order to generate real, sustainable opportunities that attract and retain talent.
MISSION
Promote the increase of media production in Northeast Ohio using effective strategies for attraction and workforce development, including building an artistic infrastructure through film.
VISION
Achieve increased economic development in Northeast Ohio by using the artistic and culturally enriching activities of film and other media production to strengthen the workforce, support the media production industry and attract media production to the region.