Another Film Slated for Production in Lakewood

Lakewood should be getting used to the spotlight by now.

This time, it’s the locally produced film “Cleveland, I Love You” coming to a neighborhood near you. 

And this one is looking for local actors.

The film’s co-producer Eric Swinderman — who is also a Lakewood resident — said production is expected to begin next month and run through Christmas.

The film is “an anthology of 10 love stories” set in the Cleveland-area that will showcase 10 of the area’s best writers and directors. Swinderman said his film was influenced by “New York, I Love You” and “Paris, Je T'Aime.”

“It’s sort of a love letter to Cleveland, but looking at love through the eyes of a Clevelander,” said Swinderman, who has four of the 10 stories and is directing two of them. “This project is designed to showcase the talent in Cleveland."

The film is produced by Cleveland State University graduates Swinderman and Mark Pengryn (Clean, The Anniversary, A Bully on Elm Street).

The pair set up shop on Manor Park Avenue in Lakewood last year to shoot a few scenes from the children’s Halloween movie “A Bully on Elm Street.”

This time around, the film’s crew is looking to shoot some “pivotal” action on Detroit Avenue — particularly at the new restaurant .

The scene?

Swinderman said the story is about a guy who has an “interesting way of picking up women” by having his friend go into an establishment ahead of time to deliberately embarrass himself so he can swoop in “cool, calm and collected” and get the girl.

Dru Siley, the city’s director of planning and development, said that 2011 has been a “great year for Lakewood as far as positive exposure.” 

“This just keeps affirming that Lakewood is an attractive place to be,” he said.

CINEMA Cleveland, in association with the Cleveland Institute of Art, will host an open audition for the upcoming film at the Russell B. Aitken Auditorium in Cleveland from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. 

They are seeking males and females of all races ages 18 to 80. The producers hope to fill the cast and crew with 100 percent local talent. Swinderman emphasized that all speaking roles will be paid.

Actors must bring a recent headshot and resume; materials will not be returned. 

Actors hired for roles in “Cleveland, I Love You” will join several other local talents already signed on for key roles, including Cleveland icon Robin Swoboda; TV and radio personality Vic Gideon; and soap opera star Robyn Griggs.

"We are expecting a huge turnout," Swinderman said. "We are anticipating 200 actors to come out for the chance of a lifetime."

Interested actors and those seeking roles as extras — as well as those seeking to help fund the movie in a grassroots effort — can find more information at the movie’s official website.