At the 2006.02.28 Excellence Roundtable on Film, a core objective was to compile a list of ideas - objectives - projects - issues to address in the future, in smaller collaborations of special interest groups. In the process, we also identified major opportunities for the film community to come together as one in pursuit of specific outcomes, like tax reform at the state level. Without further interpretation, here are the items captured on the flip charts at the roundtable, for your comments.

• Quality power in = quality power out
• NEED TO RAISE THE BAR
• Cleveland can be source of quality films, but we need to have excellence in every segment of the industry, from K-12 and higher education to creative funding to technology support... along with talented film makers
• This dialog has the attention of leaders representing every segment - we can make sure the quality goes in
• Cleveland can be a film production hub
• Film industry can make lots of noise for Cleveland
• Films shot here have impact worldwide
• Need networks of film makers
• Johnny Wu has created vibrant Indie Film Makers netwwork - meets once a month - will post details
• Film music composer points out that is major part of industry and opportunity - he wants to work with film makers here
• Chris Carmody of the Cleveland Film Commission explains their purpose is to get the film industry to spend money here - it doesn't matter if it is good film or bad, from Cleveland or Hollywood - he wants it all, and works on programs to attract and support that
• Commission has economic policy setting objectives, including pursuing state tax credits for film - leading campaign to lobby legislators to vote for this - everyone in NEO in support of film should contact the decision makers - details on how will post
• Good example of why we need to map and connect all the networks of film makers into a higher collaboration and unified voice
• Robert Banks points out there is an "Oscar Night America" Benefit for Bernadette Gillato's Independent Pictures, this Firday - details to post
• Robert Banks is committed to "FILM" rather than digital so he wants NEO to keep working in that media
• We have many film festivals and they are blossoming
• One role in the film cluster is to educate and enlighten the community at every level on what "film" and "cinema"  are.
• Map people - jobs - dollars
• economic imact analyses - will post more on this
• Film is entrepreneurial - each film maker is an entrepreneur
• Must have business skill and creative
• CSU film program provides quality education
• Several of the film makers at the roundtable teach at CSU and CIA
• Criticism they are too slow to respond in developing programming - ten years to implement changes
• Cleveland is a creative hub
• Need to make basic film making tools more accessible.
• Cameras are $1,000s
• Adequate computers and prefered software are expensive
• Could share many facilities - green screen - soundstage
• Loan or rental program
• Need media arts center
• Examples in Pittsburgh, Columbus
• Other examples
• What should a media arts center provide/be?
• Not just about film - all media - music for media?
• Need to develop more opportunities in film for students - all ages - draw them into industry and keep them in town
• Film is not just film makers or actors - there are many interesting good paying jobs and related businesses supported
• From real estate and economic development perspective, the arts are part of urban sustainability and we need to help film industry grow
• Film is important part of community story telling
• Example is "Citizen Hauser, where the film is critical to human understanding in this community
• David Reed of the Kent State Urban Design Collabortive pointed out they are working on some major project in East Cleveland and he suggested a film maker should track this transformation
• Any film makers interested to document developments in East Cleveland should contact me and we'll make some arrangements
• Also, East Cleveland has some lowest cost space, including land bank properties. If you have a great idea that will need some land, then this is an opportune
• People here in the film industry all need to get along
• No bashing each other, to each other or anyone else
• Foundations keep getting 12 of the same type of proposals from the same people, year after year
• Film Fund
• Access center
• Educate community about film
• Include opinions of individuals
• Citizens are saying arts and culture are important, but film seems under the radar
• Lack of collaboration across film industry leaves voice weak and fragmented - hostile
• Need to unify in "public relations" and fund raising - political action - all the big stuff
• Believe in Cleveland Film
• Representative from Voices and Choices is considering funding a film project and would consider proposals
• Contact Joe Cothrell via REALNEO
• Again, the issue is raised that many of the new technologies are expensive - barrier to entry - need lending and timesharing program
• Includes facilities for special effects, animation, etc.... this is where many of the jobs develop
• Computer labs need help bringing video resources into urban areas - need to bridge digital divide
• This is especially a problem in poorer parts of the community, where few individuals and organizations, schools and clubs have high end computing equipment, software and high bandwidth
• Some attendees expressed immediate needs for donations of adequate computers and software, like a G5 and Director, to run a video production lab at public schools and community centers - who can help out?
• East Cleveland would like help with this - Digital VIsion would certainly want to be involved - Bill Callahan directs that
• I'll follow up on all this - who else is interested?
• Representative from Screen Actors Guild says he is here to put actors to work. He works at the high level and invites the local film community to be involved - any thing he can do to help grow the industry!
• Louise Dempsey attended - she is a Cleveland School Board member - so she was able to capture the groups thoughts for the schools
• We discussed importance of good film education at K-12 to feed talent into the industry
• Many programs have been cut - this also hurts the industry, as struggling film makers are often also educators - need to restore film education  and expand - be innovative - new school?
• Corporations could partner with Cleveland schools - any thoughts?
• There are immediate needs for donations of adequate computers and software, like a G5 and Director, to run video production labs at public schools and community centers - who can help out?
• Need donations of lower end used hardware for use by students
• Having a vibrant film industry creates visual outcomes - films and increasingly multimedia - that enlightens and transforms the community itself
• Paramount is producing a film of the "Torso Murders", which took place in the Cuyahoga River Valley, but they are planning to shoot it in a different state. The location of the murders has barely changed since then, so Cleveland is a more logical place to shoot this movie. We need to start a letter writting campaign to the Executives and board at Paramount (and others who would escalate attention to this opportunity) - go DFAS on this situation!
• Another example where "industry" working in concert can have major positive impacts
• Everyone in the industry wants big Hollywood here any time we can get that - they don't compete, and Hollywood gigs pay some bills for locals in the indusrty, while they work on their own projects.
• Need to promote that we have the talent Hollywood needs, right here
• We need to develop a network of Angel Investors - or a fund for early stage projects and start-up studios
• Plenty of money in town, but it probably doesn't know how to invest in film - need to educate the investment community
• Need to excite the investor community - use film to promote film - be an industry cluster, like nanotech
• There are lots of mini-studios in town - many people here have artistic side down pat - need help on business development side
• Why should community give money to arts - film?
• Must have education component - wasn't previously so - funding scene for arts in US has changed since Mapplethorp and PBS issues went to Washington
• Laura has found Canadian government is much more supportive of indie film - has created vibrant film economy there and she has been in festivals and has distribution there
• There are many misconpections in the local economic development and business community that the Film Festival and Cleveland Film Commission are responsible for developing film industry in NEO... but that couldn't be farther from so...
• Film festival is a film festival - the more like Sundance the better - it is not connected to local film making at all, but it serves every aspect of the film industry and community in huge ways, and is greatly appreciated by all
• It would seem there is groun for more innovative collaboration between local film makers, venues and festivals... need to explore issues more
• Be entertaining, as an industry - add to the experience of living in NEO - be inclusive and innovative in collaboration across the community... come out from behind the cameras and production boards
• Cinematheque needs a digital projector to be able to show more digital format content - they currently have to borrow equipment for another department
• The most frequently raised idea is a non-profit, cooperative Media Arts Center
• David Reed of Kent Urban Design Collaborative explained there is one-stop urban design center in Columbus that is very powerful - suggests same for film here
• Raises obvious question... is Kent providing that service in Cleveland, or planning to, or is there a way it may be created here... we ned this for matters such as the I-90 bridge and Flats/Lakefront planning... something driving more collaborative community engagement and understanding
• The new Dean of the Kent State University College of Architecture and Urban Design will be featured at the March 21 Excellence Roundtable, so we'll have a chance to explore this further then
• What are world-class examples of such Media Arts Centers in the world today? We need to find the best practices - visit them - interact with their planners and managers - become experts and package this for this community

WILL NOW POST KEY TOPICS TO FORUMS FOR FURTHER DIALOG AND PLANNING NEXT STEPS - THIS IS INTENDED TO DRIVE ACTUAL CHANGE - SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM, LARGE AND SMALL. ENGAGE.