Filmmaking in Central Ohio is a relationship business at a scale where you can actually meet everyone. That is the advantage of not being in Los Angeles: two years of showing up makes you known.
MOFA
The Mid Ohio Filmmakers Association was founded in October 2008 to offer an open exchange of ideas, resources, knowledge, and professional opportunities to its members.
Per MOFA's About Us page, networking events are held at 8pm on the second Wednesday of each month, and all artistic talents are welcome.
Mailing address: MOFA, P.O. Box 141392, Columbus, OH 43214
MOFA also runs the 3 Weeks of Wonder competition — see Contests & Competitions.
Regional film commissions
The commission is the organisation whose actual job is connecting you to local production. Use it.
| Region | Commission | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus / Central Ohio | Film Columbus | filmcolumbus.com |
| Cleveland / Northeast | Greater Cleveland Film Commission | clevelandfilm.com |
| Cincinnati / Southwest | Film Cincinnati | filmcincinnati.com |
| Dayton / Miami Valley | Film Dayton | filmdayton.com |
| Toledo / Northwest | FilmToledo | filmtoledo.com |
State list: Ohio Regional Film Resources.
Register in the Film Columbus production directory so productions coming into town can find you.
Arts organisations
- Greater Columbus Arts Council — grants, and the connective tissue of the Columbus arts sector
- Columbus Makes Art — directory and calendar of Columbus arts organisations and events
- Ohio Arts Council — statewide
Where the community is, in practice
- MOFA monthly meetings — the reason this page exists
- Festival screenings and Q&As — Cinema Columbus, Nightmares Film Festival, Columbus BIFF, Columbus International Film + Animation Festival
- Student screenings at OSU Theatre, Film, and Media Arts and CCAD — the next generation of your crew, in one room
- Working on other people's sets — still the highest-yield networking there is
- Union locals — IATSE Local 12 for Central Ohio technicians; SAG-AFTRA Ohio-Pittsburgh for performers
How to actually be useful to this community
The people who get crewed on everything in Columbus have a few things in common.
- Show up more than once. One meeting makes you a visitor. Six makes you a member.
- Work on someone else's project before asking for help on yours. This is the whole mechanism.
- Be specific about what you need. "Anyone want to help with my film?" gets nothing. "I need a boom operator for two days in October, paid, in Clintonville" gets replies.
- Say what you can offer. Gear, a location, a skill, a vehicle, a kitchen.
- Follow through. Deliver the credit, the copy of the film, and the payment you promised. Central Ohio is small enough that this is your entire reputation.
- Credit people correctly and spell their names right.
Related
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