Frequently Asked Questions

The Ohio Film Office provides:

Resources and Assistance

There's no need to make a ton of phone calls when preparing and shooting your project in Ohio. With more than 40,000 square miles of land and 88 counties, our office can help you zero in on where you want to be and how to find what you need.

The Ohio Film Office is the initial point of contact for all productions in the state. By contacting our office first, we can quickly put you in touch with the appropriate resources and governing bodies that will help your project run smoothly. We also provide assistance throughout your shoot. Contact us at (614) 644-5156.

Locations

Ohio's landscapes are diverse. From rolling hills and smooth farmland to industrial cities and quaint small towns—all within close proximity—you can change your locations quickly and affordably. As the experts on statewide locations, the Ohio Film Office is able to provide you with location files, ideas, research, and scouting to help you find the right look for your project. Contact us at (614) 644-5156.

Crew and Services

Part of the Ohio Film Office's mission is to grow and support the local production industry. We maintain a comprehensive directory of qualified crew and resources across the state. No matter how small or large your needs are, contact us at (614) 644-5156 to be put in touch with the people and businesses that can help you get the job done.

Experience, locations, hassle-free production and cost of living.

The State of Ohio has been host to many film/video productions. Ohio crews and support services are knowledgeable and friendly.

Locations

Ohio has a variety of locations letting you capture a serene countryside and cityscape in one day. Minimal moves, accessibility, affordability, welcoming communities, and the diversity of looks can increase your production value greatly.

Hassle-Free Production

Every minute you spend in traffic, waiting in lines, or trying to figure out how to find the right product or resource means wasted dollars. No rush-hour period or unexpected traffic jams to delay your shoot or permitting hassles makes the state naturally suited to handle the unique needs of production. The Ohio Film Office serves as the initial point of contact to put you in touch with the resources you need to make your shoot run efficiently.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Ohio is roughly 35% to 41% less expensive than in the Los Angeles region and more than 50% less expensive than Manhattan (source - www.bankrate.com)

This translates into lower operating costs for your production, including office and supply rentals, lodging, food and travel expenditures. Given soaring energy costs, the impact on your budget could be softened.

Contact us at (614) 644-5156 to learn more.

Please go to our incentives page to learn more.

The state film office is not a permitting office but is able to put you in touch with the right agency or resource that can assist you. Please contact us at (614) 644-5156 or visit our Permits & Procedures page.

With many film/video productions shot in the state and an active local commercial industry, Ohio crews are knowledgeable and experienced. Many have worked in the state for more than 15 years and on both coasts. Additionally, Ohio has numerous film production programs at local universities and colleges that have further cultivated the local crew base. Ohio's support services are equally knowledgeable of the unique needs of productions. To find out more about Ohio crews and services, contact us at (614) 644-5156.

Ohio's landscapes are diverse. From rolling hills and smooth farmland to industrial cities and quaint small towns—all within close proximity—you can change your locations quickly and affordably. Architecture from the '30s and '40s can be found in Ohio's larger cities.

As the experts on statewide locations, the Ohio Film Office is able to provide you with location files, ideas, research and scouting to help you find the right look for your project. Contact us at (614) 644-5156.

Yes, the Ohio Film Office assists out-of-town independent and student filmmakers. Please contact us at (614) 644-5156, to learn more about how we can help you and local resources around the state.

Ohio's sales tax is 5.5% but varies across counties depending upon the use tax in each jurisdiction. To find out the tax on goods and services in the area you are interested in, go to http://tax.ohio.gov/online_services/thefinder.stm.

Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation
BWC 30 W. Spring Street
Columbus, OH 43215-2256
1-800-OHIOBWC (1-800-644-6292)
http://www.ohiobwc.com/Default.aspx

Ohio Minor Labor Laws do not include minors involved with film productions according to chapter 4109.06 A-3.

It states:
4109.06 Chapter not applicable.
(A) This chapter does not apply to the following:
(3) A minor participating in a play, pageant, or concert produced by an outdoor historical drama corporation, a professional traveling theatrical production, a professional concert tour, or a personal appearance tour as a professional motion picture star, or as an actor or performer in motion pictures or in radio or television productions in accordance with the rules adopted pursuant to division (A) of section 4109.05 of the Revised Code;

For a detailed explanation of Ohio Minor Labor Laws, please go to http://198.234.41.198/w3/webwh.nsf/allbykey/0A2CC2509843265A852566180051AF2E

Ohio has more than 40,000 square miles of land that includes rolling and steep hills near the base of the Appalachian Mountains in the South, smooth even farmland in central and northern Ohio, Lake Erie, one of the great lakes, in the north, and winding rivers. Bordering Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Canada (by Lake Erie), Ohio captures the landscape of both the East Coast and Midwest. Large Ohio cities have industrial and cityscape looks with brownstones, skyscrapers, large sports arenas, world-renowned museums and cultural attractions and educational institutions. And, don't forget the plethora of small towns scattered through the state.

To see a shaded relief map, go to http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/states/maps1/oh.gif.

Ohio has a population of more than 11 million people, and its largest cities are Columbus, Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Toledo.

The weather can vary in Ohio between the northern and southern parts of the state with the north being cooler and having a larger snowfall than the south.

Below is a sampling of weather stats:
Average Annual Temperature: 49°F in the northeast to 55°F in the south
Average Warmest Month: July, 84°F - 86°F in the west to 80°F - 82°F in the northeast
Average Coldest Month: January, 30°F in the south to 25°F in the north
Average Annual Freeze-free Period: 160 days in the north to 180 days in the south
Average Annual Precipitation: 32 inches to 42 inches across the state
Driest Months: October, January and February, just over 2 inches of precipitation
Wettest Months: April through July, just over 4 inches of precipitation

September and October are the peak months for fall color in Ohio, but will vary depending upon where you may be located in the state, the summer's rainfall, and the temperature in September. Visit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources at http://ohiodnr.com/?TabId=9584 to learn more and to see an up-to-date foliage status.

Ohio has a range of industries from manufacturing and agriculture to insurance and energy. Goodyear Tire and Rubber, Limited Brands, Proctor and Gamble, Progressive Insurance, and numerous educational institutions are headquartered in Ohio. More than 14 million acres of Ohio land are used for agricultural purposes, including the production of soybeans, corn, hay, wheat and for raising livestock.

There are three major airports located in or near Ohio’s three largest cities.

The Port Columbus International Airport
4600 International Gateway
Columbus, OH 43219
(614) 239-4000
http://www.port-columbus.com/home.asp

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
5300 Riverside Drive
Cleveland, OH 44135
(216) 265-6000
http://www.clevelandairport.com/

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
2939 Terminal Drive
Hebron, KY 41048
(859) 767-3151
http://www.cvgairport.com/