The Ides of March

If you live in the Cincinnati area, you probably already know that a major Hollywood movie will be shot right here in our hometown starting in February and running through March. According to published reports and Kristen Erwin, Executive Director of the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Film Commission, the movie will be shot in as many as 26 locations. That sounds like a big deal.

Not since the days of Rain Man has Cincinnati seen anything like this. The movie is titled, The Ides of March and will be directed by George Clooney. Clooney will also star in the picture as a Democratic Governor who is campaigning in the Presidential primaries. It appears there will be an abundance of backroom deals, backstabbing and an assortment of dirty campaign tricks. The plot sounds like what basically happens in everyday politics.

Along with Clooney, joining the cast will be Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachael Wood, Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hofffman, Jeffrey Wright and Max Minghella. That’s an impressive cast. And, just like Rain Man, the Ides of March could be an Oscar contender.

Dare to Dream Casting issued a casting call for anyone interested in appearing as a background performer or extra. They received over 15,000 e-mails. The producers of the film will need several hundred extras. So if you are interested, casting is open to anyone 18 or older. You should bring a photo and your contact information to Dare to Dream Casting on Saturday, February 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Longsworth Hall, 700 W Pete Rose Way, downtown Cincinnati. However, if you have already sent in an e-mail, please do not come to the casting call.

If you can’t make it, you can e-mail a photo and your contact information to daretodreamcastingextras@gmail.com. It’s your opportunity to star in a major motion picture.

George Clooney is somewhat of a hometown boy. Although he was born in Maysville, KY, he grew up here in the Cincinnati area. His father Nick, was a well-known and respected news anchor on WKRC Channel 12 for years. He also hosted The Nick Clooney Show, a variety/talk show. My guess is that Clooney has been looking for an opportunity to shoot a movie where he grew up. And thanks to the recent tax credit passed by the Ohio Legislature, it now makes financial sense.

Clooney personally toured the area back in October looking for shooting locations. It’s rumored that Memorial Hall and Lunken Airport will serve as primary locations. It’s more than likely that some locals will be hired as crew members, office staff, and drivers. So if you’re looking for a possible break into the film business, this could be your big opportunity. I suggest making your inquires to Smokehouse Pictures, which is George Clooney’s production company.

It’s great to be back in the limelight. A film can do wonders for your city’s image. I remember back in the 1980s when Rain Man was filmed here. Some people were talking about the possibility of a film renaissance or a film industry right here in Cincinnati. Unfortunately, that never materialized. But still, anything’s possible