FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2008

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today released names of the newly seated Ohio Film Office Advisory Group members (see attached list). The 40-person group, which includes representatives from all areas of the production business located across Ohio, is meeting for the first time today. The group will receive an update on the Film Office’s status and begin discussions about how to retain and recruit more production business for Ohio.

"The Ohio Film Advisory Group is a diverse and creative assembly of Ohio film and video industry experts, and we appreciate that they have agreed to help us stimulate and advance Ohio's production industry," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "The input and feedback of this group will be invaluable as we continue to build our marketing strategy for Ohio as a production destination."

Led by Ohio Film Office Director Christina Grozik, the Advisory Group will provide input and advice based on their various backgrounds and industry knowledge to help market Ohio as a site for commercial production, independent and major motion film productions, videos, and more.

"I am excited to have met one of our first goals for the Film Office by finalizing an outstanding group of film industry members to serve on the Ohio Film Advisory Group," said Grozik. "Soon we also will have an Ohio locations video to use as a marketing tool to introduce Ohio as a potential production location, and we also are working on a new Web site that will provide information on services and crew in Ohio."

The Ohio Film Office was re-opened in December 2007, with the hiring of Grozik as director. Governor Strickland and Lt. Governor Fisher proposed the reestablishment of the Ohio Film Office in the state budget, and the Film Office was legislated back into existence based on the potential of jobs and economic impact resulting from the film, commercial, and video production industries.

About the Ohio Film Office
The Ohio Film Office is housed within the Tourism Division under the Department of Development. The mission of the office is to promote Ohio as a premier film/video production destination and provide assistance to the film/video industry for optimal production experiences in Ohio, in partnership with Ohio's regional film commissions and other Ohio film and video production leaders.

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Media contacts: Tamara Brown, (614) 466-8591; Kelly Schlissberg, (614) 466-4133