Cleveland State University wants to create a school dedicated to film, television and interactive media. This week, the capital budget bill introduced by state lawmakers allocated $7.5 million dollars to help with the project. The money would also be used to build a sound stage in Northeast Ohio to train students to work in the growing film industry,
In order to become more competitive in the entertainment industry, state leaders say building a state of the art facility CSU will not only attract young talent but also keep them in Ohio.
At a press conference today, Ivan Schwartz, Greater Cleveland Film Commission president, said since the state passed the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit in 2009, 65 projects were have been filmed in the state.
Schwartz says about 10% of those crew positions were filled by locals but he wants to see that number go up, with more film students trained to work behind the scenes of a movie.
“I feel like we can be a part of the continued renaissance of the city,” said Schwarts. “We want to bring new jobs here, not just keep our people here but I really believe if we set up this education part well, we will be a center. We will be a film school that makes the top 20 in the country. It will become a destination not just for Clevelanders but for people all over the country and all over the world. I think that is important.”
A CSU spokesman says the project is still in its infancy and couldn’t say how much it would cost. Lawmakers say the capital budget bill could be approved as early as May.