Film commission lacks new funding

The founder said a Fortune 500 company wants to shoot advertising here.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Even without funding from the Mahoning County Convention & amp; Visitors Bureau, Richard Ouzounian is working to bring filmmakers to the Mahoning Valley.
Ouzounian, founder of the Western Reserve Film Commission, told the CVB he has been contacted by a Fortune 500 company looking for manufacturing locations to use for advertising.
He declined to state the name of the company, but told the CVB at a meeting Thursday that when he can make the deal public, "it's a name you will all recognize," and "Youngstown will be seen all over the world."
Ouzounian said the company asked if there were manufacturing locations available, and he told them to be more specific, "because we have everything." He said his next step will be to scout out locations and send the company pictures.
The CVB dipped into its share of the county lodging tax to give the film commission $65,000 last year, but has not yet acted on Ouzounian's request for $150,000 for this year.
Ouzounian has DVD copies of several films shot on location in Youngstown and the surrounding area, including "Horrors of War," which he said is a World War II-meets-"X-Files" science-fiction thriller.
Youngstown's draw
He has often said local infrastructure is desirable to filmmakers because of spaces like the former Forum Health Southside Medical Center, abandoned buildings and the area's mix of urban and rural settings.
The people involved in the films spend money on food, lodging and entertainment during their stay. He has estimated the economic impact of all local film projects in 2005 at $3 million.
With no money available for this year, however, the film commission phone is disconnected. He said through the Association of Film Commissioners, a $500 membership paid from last year's budget, some filmmakers have still been able to contact him.
He believes many other opportunities like the Fortune 500 company are being missed. He told CVB members he used the money from last year's budget to pay the film commission's bills because he thought he would have 2006 funding available in January.
His $150,000 request is for salaries, marketing and attending trade shows. The CVB has not acted on the request because it is resolving issues with its predecessor, Youngstown-Mahoning County Convention & amp; Visitors Bureau.
Former members of that board have questioned the benefit of the film commission to the county and its economic impact.
Board lacks chief
The CVB also discussed the vacant executive director position and reworking a new description for that job. The job was posted in 2005 for a $36,000 salary.
Dr. George McCloud, special assistant to the president for university advancement at Youngstown State University and president of the CVB board, will gather information anddocument the film commission's 2005 operations.
Members are also working on the director's job description.
McCloud said CVB should meet within eight to 10 days because the executive director position, the CVB budget and the question of funding the film commission are pressing issues.