OMAHA — Randy J. Goodwin sits alone these days at Fallen Giant Films headquarters, a space rented with state dollars that stretches across much of the 11th floor of a trendy midtown Omaha highrise.
Eight months ago he was surrounded by interns, office workers and a crew that shot and processed movie segments. Since December, not even Goodwin shows up regularly.
“We can’t work. We can’t do post production. We haven’t been able to pay anybody — we are still in suspension,” said Goodwin, an Omaha-born actor and director whose Fallen Giant company was awarded a $5 million slice of the $235 million North and South Omaha Recovery Grant program.
So far, the state over two years has paid Goodwin’s venture nearly $3.4 million. Seen in television series such as “Vampire Diaries” and “Dynasty,” his goal was to build a Hollywood-esque industry in his hometown. More specifically, the contract with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development called for creation of at least three Nebraska film and TV projects in qualified low-income census tracts to help prove the viability of a local film sector. It called for a focus on retaining youth and growing the economy and community.
‘Sweating us out’
The Nebraska Examiner first reported on the Fallen Giant funding freeze earlier this year. In response to questions about a status update, DED said that Fallen Giant had produced three film projects, per the terms of its contract. But the state agency cites Fallen Giant’s alleged “significant noncompliance with respect to the financial management of its grant funds.”
During suspension, the state said, it has authorized payments for what DED believes is “reasonable compensation” for Fallen Giant staff to answer compliance questions and for “core operating expenses.”…