CCAD and the Ohio Film Group partner to create state-of-the-art studio on campus

Columbus College of Art & Design and the Ohio Film Group (OFG) has set the stage for the creation of a state-of-the-art digital post production facility on campus. The facility will provide real-world work experiences and potential employment opportunities for CCAD students and graduates.

OFG will renovate a space at 380 E. Broad St. to create a 7,000 square foot post-production, VFX and animation studio with an industry-leading 4k workflow designed by Cutting Edge Audio & Video, based in Burbank, California. Renovations to the facility are expected to be completed and the business operational by July 1, 2015.

“OFG is excited to bring its talent and expertise to Central Ohio,” said Leonard Hartman, President and Chief Operating Officer, OFG. “It’s a natural fit for us to work with a respected institution like CCAD, which gives us the opportunity to expose budding filmmakers to some of the leading technology and professionals in the industry.”

OFG and CCAD’s Cinematic Arts and Animation faculty will work together to provide opportunities for students to work at the studio in collaboration with OFG staffers, most of whom will be relocating to Columbus from Los Angeles. Projects will include films, TV shows, and high-end commercials.

Students from The Ohio State University will also have opportunities to work in collaboration with OFG.

“This great new partnership between the Ohio Film Group and the Columbus College of Art & Design will expose our students to and get them excited about the film production process,” said Michael B. Coleman, Mayor, City of Columbus. “We already are one of the most creative cities in the nation, and this announcement represents another significant step toward establishing Columbus as a great filmmaking city.”

The studio will be overseen by OFG’s Executive Vice President and veteran Hollywood post-production supervisor, Shane Jatho. Jatho started his career in post production in 1998 with Big Time Dailies, working as an editor, VFX artist and colorist. He has since worked with post production’s biggest companies including Company 3, Warner Bros. Idea Place, and Sony Pictures Colorworks. Most recently, he has been part of teams that worked on Transformers, 300, Dark Knight, Dark Knight Rises, the Harry Potter franchise, 22 Jump Street, and The Interview.

“CCAD is eager to work with OFG’s highly respected group of professionals,” said Kevin Conlon, Provost and Interim President at CCAD. “Today’s announcement further advances our Cinematic Arts and Animation programs at a time when these disciplines are increasingly popular and opportunities in the entertainment industry are growing.”

In addition to the studio, OFG will also contribute an annual $25,000 scholarship to CCAD for students interested in pursuing careers in the entertainment industry.

Gil Cloyd, OFG’s Chief Executive Officer, sees a very exciting future for CCAD and OFG.

“We’re very happy to take this important first step at OFG with such a quality institution as CCAD and are confident it will help facilitate our vision to create an important enterprise in Columbus, valuable educational experiences at CCAD, and terrific work opportunities for students and graduates from CCAD and Ohio State,” said Cloyd.