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For Immediate Release
November 3, 2010

"Unstoppable" Hits Theaters with Assistance from Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit

Will Colson (played by Chris Pine) and Frank Barnes (played by Denzel Washington) walk away from a moving train during the "Unstoppable" filming. Several film scenes were produced in eastern and southeastern Ohio.

Denzel Washington, whose character was based off the true story of Ohio resident Jess Knowlton, attempts to halt a runaway train in the film "Unstoppable."

Frank Barnes (played by Denzel Washington) jumps from one train car to the next during the filming of "Unstoppable."

Columbus, Ohio – Next week thousands of Ohioans will flock to theaters to catch the Twentieth Century Fox blockbuster movie "Unstoppable", starring Denzel Washington. A portion of the film was shot in the state using Ohio's Motion Picture Tax Credit, worth up to $3.8 million.

"Seeing this blockbuster film made in Ohio was exciting for the state and provided a valuable economic boost," said Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "It gave Hollywood a chance to see all Ohio has to offer: our beautiful scenery, film friendly environment, and our talent pool."

The production of "Unstoppable" was shot almost a year ago in several eastern and southeastern Ohio locations, including the communities of Martins Ferry, Steubenville, and Bellaire. The film was also shot in Pennsylvania.

The film, about an unmanned runaway train carrying toxic chemicals, was the first production to be awarded an Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, employing hundreds of Ohioans as part of the production crew and extras. Twentieth Century Fox extended the number of shooting days in Ohio due to the Motion Picture Tax Credit.

"We feel proud and honored to be the first film to qualify for the Ohio Tax Credit," said "Unstoppable" producer Eric McLeod. "With the outstanding local crew and overall community support, I can't think of a better place that could have made our production feel more at home."

The film is based on a true story about two Ohio heroes: engineer Jess Knowlton (played by Denzel Washington) and conductor Terry Forson (played by Chris Pine). The pair stopped a runaway train on May 15, 2001 as it barreled towards the City of Kenton, Ohio. They recently flew out to Los Angeles for the premiere.

"We had a great time at the premiere," Knowlton said. "We met such wonderful people through this experience and I was so pleased to see the final product. Director Tony Scott was incredible to work with and made us feel very comfortable on set. It brought back a lot of memories I hadn't thought about in long time. At the time it was happening we didn't really have time to think. It was wonderful that they made this movie in Ohio, providing an income for people in Jefferson and Belmont Counties during such a tough economic time."

The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit provides a positive incentive to make movies in the State of Ohio, which creates employment opportunities and generates revenue for the communities serving as film sets.

The Ohio Film Office, housed within the Ohio Department of Development, administers the film tax credits, which are made possible through legislation passed by the Ohio General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Ted Strickland on July 17, 2009. To date, more than $9 million in tax credits have been approved, with more than $20 million still available for interested production companies in Fiscal Year 2011.

"The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit is helping Ohio gain a strong reputation in the film industry as a place that offers a valuable economic benefit for productions, as well as beautiful scenery and a talented pool of cast and crew," said Jeremy Henthorn, Director of the Ohio Film Office. "When the movie hits theaters next week, Ohio and the rest of the country will get a glimpse of this important tax credit at work for the state."

In order to be eligible for the tax credit, production companies must show reviewable progress to the Ohio Film Office within 90 days of receiving the notification letter. In addition, they will receive the tax credit only upon completion of production.

The Ohio Film Office administers the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, which helps advance the motion picture industry in the State of Ohio, creating jobs opportunities and revenue. The Ohio Film Office aggressively recruits outside production activity to Ohio and helps retain and grow existing Ohio production companies and related businesses with the assistance and collaboration of industry partners. The Motion Picture Tax Credit, totaling $30 million for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011, is calculated in two components: Ohio resident cast and crew wages will be credited at 35 percent. All other eligible production expenditures will be credited at 25 percent.

Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio's future.

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