Football season returns (sort of) to Cleveland this week, when shooting for the NFL-related movie Draft Day begins.
Via WKYC-TV, the bulk of the filming starts in and around Greater Cleveland on Wednesday. Shaker Heights and Berea, where the Browns are headquartered, appear on the list of sites where scenes will be shot. FirstEnergy Stadium will host some of the filming, too. (The dude from the Factory of Sadness video deserves a cameo, in his Pontbriand jersey.)
On Saturday, a casting call was held for football players in the 18-25 age range.
Filming in Cleveland at the same time will be Captain America: The Winter Soldier, with Cleveland playing the role of Washington, D.C.
Some scenes from Draft Day already have been shot at Radio City Music Hall, in conjunction with the actual NFL draft. The films stars Kevin Costner (who plays the Browns G.M.), Jennifer Garner, and Denis Leary. Several NFL players appear in the film, including Texans running back Arian Foster.
The movie originally was scheduled to be filmed in Buffalo, with a focus on the Bills. Ohio ultimately offered a better tax deal than New York, so the Browns scored the victory.