CLEVELAND — There are many things that Ivan Schwarz can feel good about as he prepares to depart his role as CEO of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission in pursuit of personal projects.
He is very proud, for instance, of the commission's role in establishing a film school at Cleveland State University.
If there's one thing that he looks back on with frustration as something that could have been fulfilled, but wasn't, it was not getting the two recent Avengers films, 'Infinity Wars' and 'Endgame,' made here in Cleveland.
Speaking on Let's Be Clear, Schwarz told Will Ujek, "If we had a robust incentive here and if we had infrastructure here, they (Marvel Studios) would have spent a billion dollars here. Everytime I talk about or say it, it gnaws at me because it was ours to lose."
Instead, the money and the record-breaking films, were shot at Pinewood Atlanta Studios. "Endgame" was just declared as the top-grossing movie of all-time, passing "Avatar" with $2.79 billion dollars in worldwide earnings at the box office.
"I don't think we are in a position to say good bye to a billion dollars, but people don't believe that's going to happen here," Schwarz added. "There's nothing here you can't do, you just have to have the will."
It seemed like Ohio might not even have the will to continue the state's motion picture tax credit, which was part of the recently-approved budget. The credit offers up to 30 percent rebates for production cast and crew wages and other in-state spending. The measure had been in jeopardy, with some lawmakers and citizens doubting its value to the state.
Schwarz was among those who testified in Columbus before the Senate Finance Committee on fighting in favor of the credit.
"We now have an opportunity to make Ohio a global destination for film and theater," the commission said in a statement. "We look forward to collaborating with the Governor and legislature on expanding the tax incentive even further so that we can build a sustainable and permanent industry here in Ohio."
You can watch the entire Let's Be Clear interview with Schwarz in the player below: