IT’S WORTH THE WAIT
There’s only one way to do Backlot, and to be considerate of everyone’s health and safety, we are rescheduling our annual fundraiser. Due to the delta variant, Backlot will not take place this fall but is on the books for May 14, 2022. More information and details to follow in the upcoming months. Trust us, it’ll be worth the wait #FilmCincinnati
MOVIES ARE GOOD BUSINESS
Movies are good business- and for businesses- in Ohio.
The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit (OMPTC) was initiated in the state of Ohio in 2009. Since then, Ohioans have seen a $3.09 return on investment for every dollar contributed to the tax credit, and a $1.1 billion total gross economic output by productions utilizing the tax credit.
When a movie comes to town, crews must be housed, fed, and they love to get to know Cincinnati. Restaurants owned by the Thunderdome group have been a go-to for production. While in filming, you can expect a constant flow of reservations at Pepp & Dolores. A favorite spot to cater lunch was Maplewood Kitchen and Bar for 2019’s Dark Waters', and The Eagle could be found at the Bones and All production office for lunch as well.
“It definitely drives business, and especially the catering side of business,” says Joe Lanni, co-founder of Thunderdome Restaurant Group. “It takes a village to make a movie, and that village needs to eat.”
Dining has always been a part of business culture. Deals done over dinner is nothing new, but it truly rounds off the experience of doing business in Cincinnati for the film industry. Crews spend most of their day on set and months away from home. A thriving restaurant and culture scene makes them feel at home.
Lanni added, “It’s long days on set, sometimes the only comfort they have is a good meal. We’re super excited to be a part of that.” I’ve talked to other restaurateurs who have said the same thing. It’s definitely a piece of business everyone is really excited to be involved with."
A strong hospitality and entertainment ecosystem adds to the vitality of the city, and leaves wonderful memories visitor’s minds. Also a universal pride all Cincinnatians share for the city is evident and welcoming.
“One of the praises we constantly hear about Cincinnati is that the people are so proud to showcase their city,” says Kristen Schlotman, Executive Director, Film Cincinnati. “The sentiment welcomes productions and provides a ‘can-do’ film-friendly attitude.”
The eagerness to share the Queen City, energizes productions, and in return productions bring palpable excitement to the city.
“There’s a real buzz that’s created when one of the actors or actresses walks into the restaurant,” says Lanni. “Here, we have a real Midwest sensibility, and it’s a really exciting thing for the region.”
Another organization that has benefited from movies visiting Cincinnati is Rad OTR, a vintage clothing store located on Main Street in the Over the Rhine neighborhood.
Rad OTR’s location downtown has provided them with the unique opportunity to be a go-to destination for locals, and a treasure tourists find. The business stocks memorabilia from old school Ohio sports teams to vintage concert tees and everything in between. The décor of Rad OTR matches the same nostalgic aesthetic as their merchandise- vinyl records and VHS lined the interior. One VHS, in particular, made its way to the store.
“Emilio Estevez is a Hollywood favorite for me. I grew up watching all his movies with my mom. When I found out he was moving to the area, I had my Mighty Ducks VHS in the store hoping he would come in, and I could get it signed,” says Rad OTR co-owner Billy Luther. “Sure enough, he walked in, signed it for me, took a selfie with me for my mom, and it was a very cool experience.”
Estevez came in for a Reds shirt for brother, Charlie Sheen, a die-hard fan. Another visitor was Timothee Chalamet while in town this summer filming Bones and All.
“Timothee came in by himself, which was pretty crazy, and he bought a few things. It was pretty cool. People came in for about a week after that,” says Luther. “It definitely helps our business monetarily because people will come in and visit us knowing that those people have been in and around our store.”
Timothee’s visit didn’t just drive foot traffic into the store. A post on social media made noise and drove followers as well as visits to their social media profiles.
“We sell a lot of stuff on our stories as well and having posted about Timothee and Emilio visiting makes people watch our stories on social media more closely,” says Luther.
The movie industry not only creates jobs for Cincinnatians but also siphons new revenue to the city, and benefits local businesses monetarily.
Film Cincinnati, Thunderdome, and Rad OTR all have the same love of Cincinnati and a desire to give back to it by continuing to add to the ever-growing cultural scene.
“My passions are Cincinnati and movies,” says Schlotman. “Running an organization that helps buttress additional industries in Cincinnati is a career highlight. Supporting Cincinnati in any way shape and form, is a continuous love letter to this great city.”
BENEFITS OHIANS SEE FROM THE OMPTC
Film Cincinnati alongside Cleveland Film commissioned a study by Olsberg SPI, an entertainment consultant group. Their findings on the benefits of having the $40 million a year Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit are laid out above.
Thanks to the introduction of the OMPTC in 2009, $1.1 billion in revenue was welcomed into Ohio thanks to the 134 productions that have utilized the tax credit.
Thousands of full-time jobs were created and thousands of direct full-time equivalents (FTE). FTE jobs are a method of assessing freelance job creation on a full-time basis, allowing comparability between freelance and salaried employment.
Of the over one billion in revenue, $573 million of that was expenses eligible for use of the OMPTC. $497 million equals the total gross value added (GVA). GVA is the goods and services utilized by the industry in producing its gross output, $1.1 billion. GVA represents the value of labor and capital used in producing gross output. Most of this GVA has been generated in Ohio.
Ohioans saw a return on their investment, where for every $1 taxpayers contributed to the tax credit they saw a $3.09 return.