Press Room >> 2009 Press Releases 

Ohio Film Music Video Challenge Winner to be Announced 
Public invited to see winning video revealed during free event at Cleveland's House of Blues
 

COLUMBUS, Ohio  (March 26, 2009) - On March 31, the Ohio Film Office will recognize the Top 10 finalists in the first-ever Ohio Music Video Challenge at an exciting, free event at the House of Blues in Cleveland. The event will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. and will culminate with the announcement of the challenge winner and exclusive premier of the winning video submission. The public is encouraged to join the celebration and cheer on their favorite filmmakers and bands as they rub elbows with some of Ohio's best and brightest aspiring artists. 

Attendees will feel the energy as the finalists are presented in reverse order and the grand prize winner unveiling draws near. Attendance is limited to the first 300 people to arrive at the House of Blues at 308 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland. Prizes will be awarded during the celebration with the challenge winner receiving a prize package that includes a trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cleveland on Saturday, April 4.

"The public has played an active role in selecting the Top 10 finalists with a total 29,522 views on YouTube, and attending this event is a great way for the community to continue supporting the amazing talent demonstrated in these videos," said Ohio Film Office Director Christina Grozik.

The Top 10 finalists in the Ohio Music Video Challenge are (filmmaker listed first, band second): 

• Katharine Steele with Pike for the music video "Jawbreaker" (Hamilton)
  
  
• Darell Day with Swiss Army Mouth for the music video "Song 5" (Columbus)
  
  
• Greg Sabo with Happy Chichester for the music video "A man needs an airplane" (Canal Winchester)
  
  
• John Daugherty with Visitor for the music video "The Receiver" (Columbus)
  
  
• DJ Cosgrove with Josh Young for the music video "Love Birds" (Columbus)
  
  
• Scott Handel with Matt Munhall for the music video "Green in the Morning" (New Albany)
  
  
• Dave Wilmhoff with Tupelo Honey for the music video "On My Own" (Cincinnati)
  
  
• John Varga with Hostle Omish for the music video "Generation Zero" (Hudson)
  
  
• Eric Vaughan with GmonE for the music video "Dance Floor" (Akron)
  
  
• Brad Lednik with The Host for the music video "Duel" (Cincinnati)

"We are thrilled to provide this opportunity to Ohio's emerging talents to showcase their abilities to an all-star group of movie and music producers, writers and editors," said State Tourism Director Amir Eylon. "The winners will be treated to 'Movie Star' or 'Rock Star' treatment at the Rock Hall Induction and also receive some great tools to help them further their careers."

With the Top 10 finalists selected by the public, the Ohio Film Office engaged an esteemed panel of professional and celebrity judges from the film and music industries to select the winner. The following judges selected the 2009 Ohio Music Video Challenge winner:

• Bob Hoch (Senior Director of Digital Marketing), Sony Music
  
  
• Mark Johnson (Producer), "The Chronicles of Narnia"
  
  
• Todd Longwell (Writer), The Hollywood Reporter
  
  
• Joe Russo (Director), "You, Me & Dupree"; (Writer), "Welcome to Collinwood"
  
  
• Chad Lowe (Actor), "Unfaithful"; (Producer), "Beautiful Ohio"
  
  
• Brad Petrigala (Manager), Brillstein Entertainment Partners
  
  
• Michael Peyser (Producer), "U2 3D"
  
  
• Don Scott (Writer) "Barbershop," "Barbershop 2: Back in Business"
  
  
• Anthony Russo (Director), "You, Me & Dupree"; (Writer), "Welcome to Collinwood"

The Music Video Challenge began in February and offered Ohio production teams an opportunity to partner with Ohio musical acts to create a music video. Teams had four weeks to create a music video concept, shoot and edit the video, and post it on the official YouTube challenge page. The public voted for the Top 10 videos, which averaged 4.5 out of 5 stars in YouTube voting, from 23 entries at http://www.youtube.com/group/DiscoverOhioFilm.

The awards presentation is part of a week-long celebration of events culminating with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. For more information on the awards presentation at the House of Blues, contact the House of Blues box office at (216) 523-BLUE (2583). Additional challenge details and information on the judges is available at http://contest.DiscoverOhioFilm.com.