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    Could Film be Columbus’ Next Big Industry?

    A film commission is an organization that only a few people know of or understand. I want to change that. In this three-part series, I’ll explain what a film commission does, how the film industry can be a massive economic driver (think jobs), what the future holds for the industry, and why Columbus and Ohio are ripe for not only nurturing talent, but utilizing the talent that currently exists here. In this first installment, I’ll briefly provide an overview of the film commission, tax credits, redefining the film industry, and why this is an important subject.

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    By definition, a film commission promotes the area where they reside to studios, producers and directors to make their movies in the film commission’s jurisdiction. Film commissioners do this through several means:

    • Relationship building (by far the most effective)
    • Word of mouth
    • And sometimes, good old-fashioned marketing

    Film commissions also advocate for and develop incentives, most commonly in the form of tax credits. By nature, films chase tax credits. It’s been this way since the ’80s and will continue to follow that model. When a film decides to come to a state to produce its project, an extraordinary amount of money can follow. That money means jobs for recent graduates and local crew, and substantial economic growth outside of the film industry directly.

    Film commissions are not funding agencies. We do not provide funding for film projects. However, Film Columbus is unique because we offer grants in partnership with the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC). Those grants follow the rules and regulations of the GCAC grants department. Again, this is unique among film commissions. It is an essential role for Film Columbus to help local filmmakers. And we’re proud of those programs.

    They/Them/Us, written and directed by Jon Sherman, films in Columbus. Photo by John Daugherty
    They/Them/Us, written and directed by Jon Sherman, films in Columbus. Photo by John Daugherty

    Film productions can be a massive economic driver and offer an ROI that most people need help understanding. The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI), a global advocacy organization, has developed a spending calculator for most production projects, including major motion pictures, small independent films and television and mini-series, much like the Hallmark movies which have been filming in Columbus (more on that later).

    You can see significant spending when you add up all the time a production makes its home base in Columbus. For example, a medium-sized independent film (i.e., Bones and All, the Timothee Chalamet movie recently filmed in Columbus and Chillicothe) would spend approximately $110,000 per day during production for about 25 days. Every project brings a production staff, which needs a production office. A few crew members, such as the line producer, accountants and production assistants, staff the production office. These offices are open during filming and are usually open four to six weeks before and after filming.

    When we break down further what happens when a production comes to Columbus, we begin to see the domino effect of spending. In 2021, $170 million was spent in the state on movie production costs. Each production brings with it many additional needs: hotel rooms, transportation, food and catering, construction, entertainment, and the list goes on. Ten small, independent projects received approval in late 2022 for filming in the Columbus area. These projects include a slate of Hallmark films (mentioned above) from a native Ohio producer and Ohio State alum. These smaller films are great for training and hiring crew straight out of school. More crew training sets up the future for more film projects to come to Columbus. Growing the crew base is a slow and arduous process. None of this happens overnight.

    On the set at ROY G BIV art gallery in Columbus, OH for the “Paint & Black Lace” segment of the horror anthology film Hauntology. Hauntology is one of ten films approved for the Ohio Motion Picture tax Credit in 2022 set to film in Columbus. Photo by Rob Jarosinski
    On the set at ROY G BIV art gallery in Columbus, OH for the “Paint & Black Lace” segment of the horror anthology film Hauntology. Hauntology is one of ten films approved for the Ohio Motion Picture tax Credit in 2022 set to film in Columbus. Photo by Rob Jarosinski
    They/Them/Us, written and directed by Jon Sherman, films in Columbus. Photo by John Daugherty
    They/Them/Us, written and directed by Jon Sherman, films in Columbus. Photo by John Daugherty

    A few years ago, Film Columbus began redefining the film industry in Ohio. We generally talk about film as a singular entity. As gaming and animation continue to explode, I have observed that we must recognize “film” as a more economically diverse industry. The game industry is three times larger than film AND music combined. The lines between film, animation and gaming continue to blur and will continue to blur. So we must include gaming, animation and even distribution when we use the word “film.” Film studios are looking at games for new IP. For example, Epic Games just announced the development of a film studio.

    When we begin to talk about sound stages and film studios, you have to look at Georgia. Due to its robust film industry, almost $10 BILLION is spent annually in that state versus the $170 million spent in Ohio. In a meeting with Governor DeWine several years ago, he asked a group of film commissioners, including myself, “How can we be more like Georgia?” I will have some answers in the next installment. As a reminder, I did say $10 BILLION.

    That amount of spending correlates directly to the tax credits offered by Georgia. The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit (OMPTC) currently sits at only $40 million annually statewide. We have approximately $80 million per year in tax credit requests. Georgia, conversely, has an uncapped tax credit. If a production spends at least $500,000 in the Peach State, they are guaranteed the tax credit if they complete their project.

    The demand far outweighs the supply here in Ohio. It means projects go to other states after being declined in Ohio due to a depleted tax credit program. The exodus of projects to other states happens ALL THE TIME! We are working on legislation that will expand the OMPTC, add infrastructure incentives, and make for a more efficient program to serve more productions and keep jobs in Ohio (more on that in a later installment).

    Filming for River - a short film about the impact of family rejection and “conversion therapy” on the lives of transgender people, written and directed by Rafal Sokolowski & Kanat Omurbekov. Photo by John Daugherty
    Filming for River – a short film about the impact of family rejection and “conversion therapy” on the lives of transgender people, written and directed by Rafal Sokolowski & Kanat Omurbekov. Photo by John Daugherty

    We begin to see the benefits of film commissions when we look at the organization from an economic impact perspective. Film commissions exist to create positive economic impact. As the Film Commissioner, I devote myself to creating an environment in Columbus and Central Ohio that can facilitate the growth of the film industry and the creation of jobs. The Film Commission’s mission includes industry and community recognition of Columbus as a leading film production, education and exhibition city. This recognition will result in acknowledging film as an art form that has a quantifiable impact on the economy, individuals and the community.

    In upcoming installments, I’ll provide more details about the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, what we’re doing for local filmmakers that most film commissions don’t do, and how you can get involved.

    For more information, visit filmcolumbus.com.

    John Daugherty has been film commissioner in Columbus since early 2015. He has long worked to foster growth in the film industry, including advocating to expand the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, providing resources for local filmmakers, and being a champion for the local film industry. Through this series Daugherty is expressing the impact the film industry could have on Columbus and Ohio.

    Film Columbus produced a Path to Success document outlining a career path for Ohio students (age 13-20) to find a career in the entertainment sector. The document is designed to help state and city leaders understand the potential of the industry across Ohio.
    Film Columbus produced a Path to Success document outlining a career path for Ohio students (age 13-20) to find a career in the entertainment sector. The document is designed to help state and city leaders understand the potential of the industry across Ohio.
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    John Daugherty
    John Daugherty
    John Daugherty has been film commissioner in Columbus since early 2015. He has worked even longer to foster growth in the film industry. His commitment to tirelessly expanding the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, providing resources for local filmmakers, holding scriptwriting competitions for teens, and being a champion for the local film industry proves his commitment to the city of Columbus.John was a volunteer and an instrumental partner in forming the first annual Indigenous Filmmakers Lounge at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Recognized by the Sundance Institute as an official Sundance Event, the lounge provided a place for networking, speakers, and panels. Conversations centered around the need for the film industry to help those in underserved communities break into film and filmmaking.
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