Tax credits help 'The Avengers,' 'I, Alex Cross'

CLEVELAND - The controlled chaos in downtown Cleveland continued Wednesday, as more fires from the set of “The Avengers” rocked E. 9th Street.

Our cameras were on scene with a birds eye view as soot covered extras ran through the set surrounded with smoking toppled cars. Watch video of the filming in the player above, or by using the video tab on our mobile app.

The area on E. 9th between Prospect and Euclid has been a busy site all week, as onlookers have crowded around the area to catch a glimpse of the filming.

People at the scene told NewsChannel5 they approve of the State of Ohio Film Office refundable tax credit used to entice movie makers to film in the state.  The tax subsidy provides 25 to 35 percent savings on in-state spending and wages.

Balwin-Wallace Associate Professor of Business Phil Bessler said the tax incentive is similar to those used to lure and retain other businesses.  But Bessler said the usefulness of the film tax has to be proven long-term.

"One movie, once a year -- there's really no significant benefit," Bessler said.  "But if this can become a repeated process for us that we provide not just the street scenes but back-office functions, office buildings, maybe warehouse space -- then we can develop a micro-movie industry here that can gainfully employ people and be yet another attraction to the city of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio."

Earlier this week, explosions rang out and the stars of the film were on location for the filming. [ To see more photos of the filming, check out our photo gallery: http://5.wews.com/ihT ]

If you have great pictures of the filming, or spot any of the stars around town, send us a picture at 5pix@newsnet5.com.