Buffalo, NY as a film center?  Why not.  I’ve always seen this area as being too focused on remaining a proud “Blue Collar” town.  Many people might not believe it, but, travel, tourism, arts, theater venues are all possible given our location alone.  So why not the film industry.  There have been movies filmed here or about here, just has not been enough of them.

For about 3 weeks I’ve thought about the proposed Hollywood movie Draft Day,  Kevin Costner will star.  It is a story of the hometown Buffalo Bills and what they do grab a Number 1 draft pick.

It appears the movie is to be filmed elsewhere  A recent article in the Buffalo News reported:  “Quite honestly, Buffalo is one of the most expensive places to shoot a union movie…”  “These guys would come here and shoot here if they could justify it.”  That is very sad.

Last August I posted a piece titled “If they made a television series about Buffalo would anyone watch?”  It focused on the BBC America television series “Copper.”  A drama about the Manhattan neighborhood of Five Points during the 1860′s.  To my surprise the program is filmed in Toronto, not New York City.   I see the possibility for a local film industry, I just don’t have the money to pursue the idea.

As a result I’ve been searching for people who might also be thinking along that line.  By dumb luck I stumbled upon this YouTube video posted by Joseph Hecht for his “Shoot Buffalo” project. I had not heard of him, nor his project.  He is the owner of the old Pierce Arrow Building on Elmwood Ave.  He has a vision to transform the building into a production facility to set up Buffalo as an alternative low-cost center for the entertainment industry.  His is a vision to put young people to work.   I love it.  Mr. Hecht’s plan needs your support.  This video has been on  YouTube since Nov. 2012 and has had only 53 viewers.   Please circulate, it deserves much more attention and your support.