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Kate Beckinsale & Dermot Mulroney Take Over Aurora for New Film
Hollywood Comes to Ohio: Inside the Filming of "Drifter" in Aurora Shores
Lights, Camera, Action in a Quiet Neighborhood
Imagine waking up on a regular weekend to find movie stars, police shootouts, and boat chases happening right in your backyard! That’s exactly what happened to residents of Aurora Shores, Ohio last weekend when a Hollywood film crew took over their quiet lakeside community.
Important Point: The movie "Drifter" — starring famous actors Kate Beckinsale (from Underworld and Pearl Harbor) and Dermot Mulroney (from My Best Friend’s Wedding and The Family Stone) — filmed intense action scenes in this small Ohio neighborhood.
Meet the Movie: What Is "Drifter" About?
Director Randall Emmett (who also produced the Oscar-winning movie The Irishman and appears on the reality show Vanderpump Rules) describes the film as:
"It’s about a cop and a drifter who somehow gets himself arrested in a smaller town, ends up in the jail, who is going to be an informant, FBI witness. It’s a really fun, nonstop action movie."
Actor Bill Sage adds: "We’re moving fast on this — it’s an action film."
Filming Locations
The production didn’t just stay in Aurora Shores:
- Aurora Shores (main location with boat ramp shootout)
- Solon (nearby city)
- Orange Village (another nearby community)
Neighbors Get a Front-Row Seat
From "High School Play" to Hollywood Blockbuster
Resident Michelle Tyszka shared the surprise:
"We all thought it was going to be a high school production or something — and then we find out Kate Beckinsale and Dermot Mulroney are starring in the movie. There was shooting, people falling off boats, a dead man floating in the water. So cool it was right in our backyard."
Homeowners Become Part of the Show
Tim Tomkovicz and Laura DiSanto rented their home to the production crew. DiSanto said:
"It’s great to watch to see how movies are made. You don’t realize how much equipment is here. They all work well together. They all complement each other. It’s fascinating."
Fun fact: Laura DiSanto even got to pose for photos with Dermot Mulroney and Kate Beckinsale during breaks!
Why Ohio? The Money Behind the Movies
Ohio’s Motion Picture Tax Credit Program
Ohio has a special program that gives tax credits (money back on taxes) to movie productions that film in the state. Here’s the timeline:
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Lawmakers tried to raise the yearly cap from $40 million to $75 million |
| 2023 Result | Ohio Senate settled on $50 million cap |
| 2025 | Governor Mike DeWine vetoed a plan that would have ended the program in 2027 |
"Drifter" by the Numbers
According to official paperwork from the Ohio Department of Development:
- 193 days of production planned in Ohio
- 26 actual shoot days
- $17 million estimated movie budget
- $5.1 million estimated tax credit from Ohio
Important Point: This means Ohio taxpayers help fund the movie, but the state gets jobs, local spending, and tourism in return.
Why Director Randall Emmett Loves Filming in Ohio
Emmett didn’t hold back his praise:
"By far, Ohio is the best. It’s the best how the law was written, how they made it super film-friendly, how the community is super film-friendly."
The Secret Weapon: Local Crews
Emmett revealed a huge advantage Ohio has over other states:
"It’s kind of a secret… Cleveland, out of 115 people, I maybe brought in five or six crew members. That’s it."
Translation: In other states (like Mississippi), they have to fly in almost the entire crew. In Ohio, local professionals are already there and ready to work!
When Can You See It?
"Drifter" is expected to be released next spring. Keep an eye out — you might recognize Aurora Shores on the big screen!
Quick Summary
- Movie: "Drifter" — action thriller with Kate Beckinsale & Dermot Mulroney
- Director: Randall Emmett (The Irishman producer, Vanderpump Rules star)
- Location: Aurora Shores, Ohio (plus Solon & Orange Village)
- Action: Police shootout, boat chase, stunts on water
- Local Impact: Residents rented homes, watched filming up close
- Funding: Ohio’s $50M/year tax credit program provided ~$5.1M incentive
- Why Ohio: Great laws, friendly communities, skilled local crews (115 locals vs. only 5-6 brought in)
- Release: Spring 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a "tax credit" for movies?
A: Think of it like a coupon for taxes. If a movie spends $17 million in Ohio, the state says "We’ll give you $5.1 million back on your tax bill." This encourages movies to film in Ohio instead of other states.
Q: Do residents get paid when movies film at their house?
A: Yes! Homeowners like Tim Tomkovicz and Laura DiSanto rented their home to the production company. They got paid and got to watch the movie being made.
Q: Why doesn’t every movie film in Ohio?
A: Movies need specific looks (mountains, deserts, big cities). Ohio is great for Midwest/small-town settings, but not for every story. Also, the tax credit has a $50 million yearly cap — once it’s used up, no more movies can get the discount that year.
Q: How many jobs does a movie like this create?
A: 115 crew members worked on "Drifter" — and only 5-6 came from out of town. That means 100+ local Ohioans got hired for jobs like camera operators, lighting techs, set builders, drivers, and more.
Q: Can I visit where they filmed?
A: The Aurora Shores Boat Ramp (where the shootout happened) is a real place! But remember — it’s a private residential community, so be respectful if you drive by. No trespassing on private property!
Final Thought: Next time you watch an action movie, remember — that "exciting location" might be someone’s actual backyard! Ohio is quietly becoming a Hollywood favorite, one tax credit at a time.
Reporting by Clay LePard, News 5 Cleveland
