Ex-director of Chicago Film Office hired to bring Hollywood to Nevada

Friday, March 20, 1998 | 11:16 a.m.

His appointment as head of the state Motion Picture Division was announced Thursday by Bob Shriver, executive director of the state's Commission on Economic Development which oversees the division.

Geocaris will bring "a vast array of resources" with him when he takes over, Shriver said.

"Part of it is just his experience running probably one of the largest film offices in the country," Shriver said. "He's been extremely successful at that."

During his 11 years with the Chicago Film Office - six of them as director - Geocaris coordinated such high-profile productions as "The Fugitive," "Home Alone," "Sleepless in Seattle" and "Backdraft."

His credits also include several projects that filmed in both Chicago and Las Vegas, including "Midnight Run," "I Love Trouble" and TV's "Crime Story."

Geocaris replaces Robert Hirsch, who headed the Motion Picture Division since its 1983 inception. Hirsch retired last year after 30 years in state government.

Robin Holabird, the Reno-based deputy director of the division, has served as acting director in the interim. Geocaris will be based in Las Vegas.