New York Times
September 26, 2007
Planned City Rises Within a City in the Southwest

It seems easy, right? Take old, obsolete buildings, find uses more appropriate to the 21st century, and transform them. All too often though, regulations and attitudes from decades ago present a challenge to progressive developers trying to be creative. Sophie Francesca Cantell’s paper, titled ‘The Adaptive Reuse of Historic Industrial Buildings: Regulation Barriers, Best Practices and Case Studies,’ is an insightful piece that outlines the hidden challenges committed urban developers face.

-Chris Carmody / Carmody & Company
www.christophercarmody.com

Pew’s Center on the States’ new study Investing in Innovation examines how states have begun more customized R & D strategies in the face of reduced Federal research spending. In addition to surveying best practices among states, the study derives lessons from notable successes and provides guideposts for further state spending. The study discusses some basic but important topics - among them

*how to get higher education and the private sector to collaborate
*merit based approaches to making awards as opposed to political decision making
*developing transparent measurements of success and standards for accountabilty

My personal favorite observation in the Study -not every state can be a bioscience hub: “Build on the unique character of a state’s economy and needs—not every state can be a bioscience hub, so find the strengths and fund them.”

- Chris Carmody / Carmody & Company
www.christophercarmody.com

(August 30, 2007) George Soros’ Open Society Institute - dedicated (among other things) to cultivating stronger civil society in central Europe, Asia and Africa, has announced an innovative program to make Central Asian films accessible to viewers in both the east and west.

The Institute’s Arts and Culture Program has curated a DVD collection of Central Asian cinema featuring 10 films from two eras - five made during Soviet times, and five made since independence—that are emblematic of each Central Asian Republic. Each film is subtitled in both Russian and English.

Soros’ film-related philanthropy hasn’t been limited only to developing economies; he also created the Soros Film Fund managed by the Sundance Institute to assist western independent film makers in producing pictures focused on current issues and movements in contemporary human rights, freedom of expression, social justice, and civil liberties. The Institute believes that a focus on film making stimulates more open societies, bolstering efforts to develop more effective democracy.
http://www.soros.org/initiatives/arts/about

- Chris Carmody / Carmody & Company
www.christophercarmody.com

Forest City Enterprises, a Fortune 1000 company headquartered in Cleveland, is building one of the largest and most modern film facilities on the continent – in New Mexico. Observant policy makers – starting with Governor Bill Richardson – spotted the sweet spot the motion picture sector can occupy a long time ago. Forest City’s development not only provides the ‘factory’ for good blue-collar film production jobs but is also bringing more of the Creative Class (special effects programmers) from LA to Albuquerque.

This spring, Forest City announced that Sony Pictures Imageworks (think special FX for Polar Express, Spider Man) will lease 100,000 square feet next to the production facility. The groundbreaking was held June 25.

After 10 challenging and fulfilling years I am leaving the Greater Cleveland Film Commission in the very capable hands of Ivan Schwarz. Ivan is a Hollywood veteran who we recruited in 2006 to succeed me as director of the Film Commission. He has worked as a Producer and a Location Manager on such projects as Band of Brothers, From the Earth to the Moon, My Name is Earl and Entourage. His expertise and contacts will greatly enhance our work to expand the motion picture sector in Northeast Ohio.

In the near term I will continue to work with the Film Commission to chart a new, five year strategic plan, pass a state level motion picture tax incentive, and advance the notion of the Cleveland Convention Center becoming a full time, dedicated motion picture facility.

I am also establishing a consulting practice to help government, non-profit and business organizations develop innovative economic development strategies. Specifically, I will focus on strategies for urban development, using the arts to stimulate job growth, and will help organizations communicate about public policy issues related to these issues. I have posted some further information about my interests and background at www.christophercarmody.com.

Cleveland has been very good to me. It has been a privilege to work with so many of you, and I look forward to continuing our work in new areas. You can contact me by phone at 216 272 6393, or on email at carmody.chris@gmail.com. Stay in touch.

Best,
Chris Carmody / Carmody & Company
www.christophercarmody.com