EDITOR'S NOTE: The past 12 months featured a number of major news events that captured the attention of our readers — from thousands of new jobs coming to Butler County to the conviction of a prominent state lawmaker. The Journal-News is counting down the 10 biggest local stories we covered this year. Disagree with our list? Send us yours to: kaldridge@coxohio.com or join the discussion on the Journal-News Facebook page.
Here is a look at the No. 9 story of 2015:
Counting down the top 10 stories:
10. Former Ohio lawmaker Pete Beck convicted of perjury, securities fraud
9. Hollywood comes to Butler County
Hollywood came to Butler County in 2015 with several movies featuring well-known actors being filmed at various locations in the city of Hamilton.
Ohio was such an attractive location for filmmakers that the state had already committed the $20 million available for tax credits this budget year by November. Thirteen projects were approved this year for tax credits.
The movie “Tiger,” starring Mickey Rourke, was filmed at various locations around Hamilton and concluded its production efforts in early December. “Tiger” marked the fourth film made in Hamilton during the past two years. The others were James Franco’s “The Long Home” in August; “The Echo Effect,” starring professional wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin in 2014; and “Carol,” starring Cate Blanchett, in 2014.
“Carol,” directed by Todd Haynes and produced by Christine Vachon, is a film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 novel “The Price of Salt.” The movie, which also shot some scenes in Lebanon in Warren County, led the Golden Globe nominations with five, including best dramatic film, best drama actress nods for Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, best drama, director and score.
“Tiger” is based on the true story of Pardeep Nagra, an Eastern Indian Sikh faithful, who eventually is discovered by boxing coach Frank Donovan (Rourke) and competes as a U.S. boxing hopeful.
Film Hamilton Director Steve Colwell said the production team for the movie was impressed with how filming went in Hamilton. He added that there could be another big announcement coming soon regarding the production of a movie in Hamilton early in 2016.
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