Lights, cameras, tax incentives: Michigan's film write-offs have moviemakers swarming state

Gary Heinlein / Detroit News Lansing Bureau (Friday, May 30, 2008)

New tax incentives have film proposals flooding into Michigan so fast the state will be hard-pressed to meet the demand for facilities, crews and probably even places to say, participants at the Detroit Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference were told Friday.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080530/METRO/805300445&imw=Y

Chamber Panel: Get Ready For More Explosive Film Industry Growth

WWJ Detroit (Friday, May 30, 2008)

By Matt Roush
Michigan's decision to give filmmakers tax breaks and rebates of up to 42 percent of the cost of the films they make here was years in the making, but it's created an overnight film industry here, with more than $225 million in filmmaking planned here in just six weeks.

http://www.wwj.com/Chamber-Panel--Get-Ready-For-More-Explosive-Film-I/2283711

Panel: Film business brings demands, rewards

By Daniel Duggan -- Crane's Detroit Business (Friday, May 30, 2008)

When Michigan’s film incentives were being debated in the legislature, Producer Bob Brown said it was going to bring a tidal wave of activity.

http://crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080530/REG/519629228/-1

Put on your flip-flops and mingle with the stars

Rapid Growth Media (Thursday, May 29, 2008)

It’s Hollywood without the Hollywood at the 10th Annual Waterfront Film Festival (WFF) in Saugatuck, June 12-15. This relaxed film festival offers the opportunity to see many upcoming indie film releases and rub elbows with the stars in a place that doesn’t feel “Hollywood” at all.

http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/features/juntap10408.aspx

Roll 'em: $10M film studio eyed for SE Michigan

by Carol Marshall Oakland Business Review (Thursday May 29, 2008)

Film production services company S3 Entertainment Group plans to build a $10 million production facility in Southeast Michigan and take advantage of Michigan's new movie industry tax incentives.

http://www.mlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2008/05/roll_em_10m_film_studio_eyed_f.html

Prison alive with activity as Hollywood comes calling

by Holly Klaft Jackson Citizen Patriot (Wednesday May 28, 2008)

After a six-year Hollywood hiatus, Jackson may be headed to the big screen again.

The area's recently closed prison is set to serve as a backdrop in a film that revolves around the capture of a notorious Detroit mobster.

Crews began filming Tuesday at the Southern Michigan Correctional Facility that shut its doors in November.

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/prison_alive_with_activity_as.html

Jackson's reward: Big Pussy

Jackson Citizen Patriot, Posted by bflory (Wednesday, May 28, 2008)

Hurray for Hollywood: Jackson is abuzz with news that a real movie is being filmed at the closed-down portion of what was once the world's largest walled prison. The star is Vincent Pastore, the actor who played Big Pussy on "The Sopranos." This must be the part where we are all supposed to be excited about sending an estimated $110 million in tax money a year to Hollywood (my guess: it will be more) while Michigan people and businesses struggle. Yippee! Big Pussy!

Michigan movie credit has huge opening

By Peter Luke | Booth Newspapers | May 15, 2008

Movies go over budget all the time. So too, apparently, do movie incentive programs.

Lawmakers on Wednesday seemed somewhat stunned by the estimated $110 million net price tag of Michigan's new film promotion program. The unexpected cost of luring movie makers here could mean less money for local school districts and municipalities.

In a briefing to the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senate Fiscal Agency Director Gary Olson pegged the cost of new film production credits at more than $127 million, a figure offset by $10 million in income and sales tax receipts gained from those productions.

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/michigan_movie_credit_has_huge.html

With new Grand Rapids film office, event coordinator tries to lure moviemakers to town

Posted by Jim Harger The Grand Rapids Press (May 15, 2008)

What's the best opening scene for a movie shot in Grand Rapids?

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/with_new_grand_rapids_film_off.html

Hollywood Rentals

MetroMode (May 14, 2008)

The need for quality rental units goes beyond new urbanist ideals. It also means dollars where you least expect them. Michigan just passed one of the most ambitious film incentive packages in the nation. Hollywood's come calling. And guess what they're looking for? Modern rentals in walkable downtown settings.

http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/HollywoodRentals0068.aspx

Filming soon at a northern Michigan location near you

Traverse City Business News (May 14, 2008)

Just a month after Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed the new film incentive law aimed at luring Hollywood to Michigan, a movie production company is scouting locations here for the next Stephen King movie.

http://www.tcbusinessnews.com/newsflash_detail.php?recordID=435&edit=true