Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Film Studios In Michigan

WILX | March 4, 2009

The Michigan Film Office says filmmakers qualified for $48 million in payments from the state during the first 10 months of an incentive program enacted last year.
A report obtained by the Detroit Free Press says about $125 million was spent on the projects. However, an economic analysis commissioned by the film office and submitted to the Legislature this week said project spending totaled only $65.4 million.

The report says the 35 projects, including 22 feature films, provided about 2,800 jobs.

The report doesn't mention how the film incentives are affecting the state budget. State economists have cautioned that new economic activity generated by the incentives likely won't offset the high cost of the program.

http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/40702042.html

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Michigan provides $48 million in film incentives

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Film Office says filmmakers qualified for $48 million in payments from the state during the first 10 months of an incentive program enacted last year.

The report obtained by the Detroit Free Press says about $125 million was spent on the projects, although an economic analysis commissioned by the film office and submitted to the Legislature this week said project spending totaled only $65.4 million.

The report says the 35 projects, including 22 feature films, provided jobs for about 2,800 people.

The report doesn't mention how the film incentives are affecting the state budget. State economists have cautioned that new economic activity generated by the incentives likely won't offset the high cost of the program.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090303/News01/903030099/-1/XML

State to give out nearly $50M in film tax rebates

By Christopher Behnan • DAILY PRESS & ARGUS • March 3, 2009

The state will issue nearly $50 million in film incentive tax rebates for 35 films completed during 2008 — a list that includes “High School,” primarily filmed in Livingston County — according to a three-page Michigan Film Office report issued Monday.

Those 35 film productions spent $125 million in Michigan and created 2,800 jobs, the report states.


The report only provides these totals, rather than a break down per film, because film companies by law can request confidentiality regarding their budgets, the report states.

http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20090303/NEWS01/90303002

State puts out casting call for people to learn film jobs

By Barbara Wieland | March 3, 2009 | Lansing State Journal

Sixty people in mid-Michigan will get a start on a career in film production thanks to a grant from the state of Michigan.

The No Worker Left Behind program, a part of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth, will release $195,000 to pay for the training of the workers.

Those selected into the program will receive training through a partnership between Lansing Community College, Michigan State University and Capital Area Michigan Works.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20090303/NEWS01/903030329/1002/NEWS01

Monday, March 2, 2009

Lansing's Rally of Writers conference celebrates 22 years

By Mark Wolfgang • Reader Submitted • March 2, 2009

The 22nd year of A Rally of Writers, a freelance writing conference, will take place on Saturday, April 4, 2009, at the Lansing Community College West Campus Conference Center. This day-long event begins at 8:30 a.m. and features 10 Michigan writers, poets, artists and screenwriters hosting 16 educational sessions on all aspects of writing and publishing, from basic submission and editing tips to in depth advice on fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoir, photography, children's books, and comic books.

The keynote speaker for 2009 is Gerry LaFemina, poet, fiction writer and essayist. LaFemina's 9 a.m. opening session, “Strange Duality: the Social and Anti-Social Behaviors of Writers and Pleaders,” is free and open to the public courtesy of the Michigan Humanities Council and Gibson's Books and Beans.

The public is also invited to attend a free pre-Rally event at Schuler Books and Music in the Eastwood Towne Center, Friday evening, April 3, at 7 p.m., to learn about “Movies Made in Michigan.” Guest speakers, including Ken Droz of the Michigan Film Office, will discuss the growing Michigan movie industry. One special guest will be Ahney Her, the local high school student who starred opposite Clint Eastwood in “Gran Torino.”

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20090302/COMM11/903020357

'Steam Experiment' movie shot in Grand Rapids debuts at Florida film festival

By John Serba | The Grand Rapids Press | March 02, 2009

TAMPA, Fla. -- Jimmy Pettis tilts his head back, and carousel horses go round and round, round and round.

Normally, families ride those horses at the Van Andel Museum Center. But in "The Steam Experiment," they symbolize the psychosis of a disturbed ex-professor played by Val Kilmer -- and are one of many Grand Rapids landmarks in the film shot last fall.

"Steam" debuted Sunday night at the Gasparilla International Film Festival in downtown Tampa, Fla., to a sold-out crowd.

http://www.mlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2009/03/steam_experiment_movie_shot_in.html

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Arrested Development film to shoot in Ypsilanti?

By Mark Maynard | February 26, 2009

I think it’s an incredible long shot, but, when my friend Arun told me today that Michael Cera, the last remaining holdout for the long-awaited Arrested Development feature film, had signed-on, my first thought was that maybe, somehow, we might be able to lure the production here to Ypsi. I know it’s a reach, seeing as how we have neither the West coast sunshine, nor the marina backdrop that viewers of the ground-breaking sitcom have come to expect, but we do have a local man with a fleet of Segways, which I’m sure he would make available to Gob, and, of course, there are those aggressive incentives for producers bringing projects to Michigan. And, there’s really no reason it couldn’t be a road movie. Maybe it already is… I haven’t seen a script.

http://markmaynard.com/?p=4249

Filming of hockey movie 'The Genesis Code' expected to benefit Grand Rapids-area economy

By John Serba | The Grand Rapids Press | February 26, 2009

GRAND RAPIDS -- A new film project hopes to pump up to $4 million into the West Michigan economy.

"The Genesis Code," a feature-length drama from American Saga Productions, was approved Tuesday for state film incentives by the Michigan Film Office in Lansing. Principal photography is scheduled to begin in mid-April.

According to Jerry Zandstra, vice president of American Saga Productions, the film's budget is between $8 million and $9.5 million. It will shoot in Lowell and Grand Rapids with "name actors that folks will recognize," he said.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/02/filming_of_hockey_movie_the_ge.html

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Moves made for more movies

BY STEFANIE MURRAY | The Ann Arbor News | February 25, 2009

The fledgling Washtenaw County movie industry last year generated about $1 million in local economic impact from the three movies filmed locally, and tourism officials hope that figure will more than double in the coming year.

As many as five films are expected here in the next 12 months, generating an estimated $2.4 million in economic impact, said Mary Kerr, president of the Ann Arbor Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

During the group's annual meeting Tuesday, tourism officials said they are focused on making this area a go-to spot for Hollywood producers taking advantage of Michigan's tax breaks for filmmakers.

http://www.mlive.com/news/annarbornews/index.ssf?/base/news-31/1235576450296380.xml&coll=2

Ann Arbor Convention Bureau seeing stars, as in Hollywood movies

By Stefanie Murray | The Ann Arbor News | February 25, 2009

As many as five films are expected here this year, generating an estimated $2.4 million in economic impact, Mary Kerr, president of the Ann Arbor Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, told the group's annual meeting Tuesday. The bureau is focusing its efforts on making this area a go-to spot for Hollywood producers taking advantage of Michigan's tax breaks for filmmakers.

Additional revenue coming into the bureau from the recently increased hotel room accommodations tax will help fund the new initiatives, which include increased advertising, film scout hosting and becoming a member of the Association of Film Commissioners International.

http://www.mlive.com/business/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2009/02/ann_arbor_convention_bureau_se.html

L.A. scrambling to bring back film crews

By Rick Orlov, Contra Consta Times | February 25, 2009

Facing a sharp decline in the shooting of big-budget productions in Los Angeles, city officials are considering hiring a "film czar" to promote their interests with the multibillion-dollar entertainment industry.

Just three major films - those with budgets more than $75 million - are scheduled to be shot in L.A. this year, city officials said.

...

Michigan last year approved a lucrative package of incentives that includes cash refunds of 40 percent or more to studios that spend more than $50,000 on production in the state. Since then, the Michigan Film Office has approved incentives for 73 productions, compared to three in 2007.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_11787163?nclick_check=1

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The new film industry in Michigan

LookingOutForMichigan.Blogspot.com | Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Mitch Albom from the Detroit Free Press offers great rationale for Michigan's government to offer incentives to movie companies to make movies in Michigan. The famous movie Gran Torino was filmed in Michigan because of these incentives.

This is great analysis and if you care about Michigan's economy or the movie business in general, please watch these short clips.

http://lookingoutformichigan.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-film-industry-in-michigan.html

Freep building eyed for film jobs

Louis Aguilar | The Detroit News | February 24, 2009

The new owners of the former Free Press building are looking to convert the abandoned newspaper offices into a production studio that will tap into the state's burgeoning film industry.

Go to the Web site of Motor City Film Works and the new company lists its address as 321 W. Lafayette Blvd. and displays an image of the old Free Press building, which has been empty for several years.

"We intend to turn the former printing press area into a sound stage. That's 80,000-square-feet of space," said Richard Gerber, 46, of Troy, who owns a technology firm called Intelegen Inc.

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090224/BIZ/902240365

Monday, February 23, 2009

Grand Rapids hits big screen in 'The Steam Experiment' on Sunday, but no time set for West Michigan screenings

By John Serba | The Grand Rapids Press | February 23, 2009

GRAND RAPIDS -- "The Steam Experiment" is hitting the big screen soon -- but not necessarily at a theater near you.

The thriller starring Val Kilmer and Armand Assante, shot in Grand Rapids last fall, will make its debut Sunday night at the Gasparilla International Film Festival in Tampa, Fla., the neighborhood of the film's Clearwater-based production company, Cinepro Pictures.

As for a local screening of the film, producer Luc Campeau said it's in the works.

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/02/tax_breaks_lures_hollywood_to.html

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Tax breaks lure Hollywood to Michigan, but Grand Rapids yet to land big movie star

By John Serba | The Grand Rapids Press | February 22, 2009

GRAND RAPIDS -- Clint Eastwood. George Clooney. Hilary Swank -- all Oscar winners who have shot or will shoot films in the Detroit area.

But what about Grand Rapids? When it comes to Michigan's budding movie business, the state seems sharply divided: Detroit -- where the majority of film projects have landed -- and everywhere else.

Add the recent announcement of three studios to be built in Detroit, Plymouth and Pontiac, and West Michiganders may be wondering, why not us?

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/02/tax_breaks_lures_hollywood_to.html

Red Carpet Ready Event to Celebrate Academy Awards

WZZM 13 | February 22, 2009


GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- The 81st Annual Academy Award Show airs tonight on WZZM 13. While you can watch the show from the comfort of your own home, why not consider gettind dressed up and head out to an Oscar night event in Grand Rapids. This evening is the West Michigan Film and Video Alliance's Red Carpet Ready event.

This year's event theme is the Roaring 20's. Guests are encouraged to dress the part. There will be a contest for the best costume. In addition to the contests there will be a cash bar, food, and a special gift bag. Another surprise? The guest emcee is our very own Stephanie Webb.

The Red Carpet Ready event begins at 8 p.m. and lasts until midnight at the Amway Grand Hotel. Tickets are $70 for members, $100 for non-members, and $40 for students.

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_story.aspx?storyid=105851&catid=14

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Welcome to our neighborhoods: Three student teams to present their video documentaries

By Stephanie Esters | Kalamazoo Gazette | February 18, 2009

KALAMAZOO -- The community is invited to see video documentaries Thursday night that were filmed in three Kalamazoo neighborhoods by 15 Kalamazoo high school students.

The students spent six weeks last summer interviewing and filming their parents, neighbors and community leaders as they talked about education, The Kalamazoo Promise scholarship program, their struggles, hopes and dreams. The students were supervised by several Western Michigan University and University of Michigan film students and a graduate student from Western's Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations.

http://www.mlive.com/living/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/02/welcome_to_our_neighborhoods_t.html

Hollywood in Michigan, Break into the Biz

WXYZ Webcast - February 18, 2009

Michigan is the place to be if you're looking to break into the film industry. New studios are coming to our area, there are casting calls taking place for feature films and the Michigan movie business is only growing bigger day by day.

So, how do you break into the business or land a job working at a movie studio? Get the inside scoop on Michigan's burgeoning movie industry by watching our webcast featuring three of the area's movers and shakers in the Michigan film biz!

http://www.wxyz.com/content/news/seenon7priority/story/Hollywood-in-Michigan-Break-into-the-Biz/JVylqarBm0KVimoyO5g2Pw.cspx

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Michael Landon Jr. directs 'The Velveteen Rabbit'; considers filming in Michigan

AmericanJR.com | February 17, 2009

Michael Landon Jr. is an actor, director, writer and producer. Fame is something he's used to. He is the son of the late Michael Landon, who became famous on TV's Bonanza. Landon Jr. directed the motion picture The Velveteen Rabbit, which is set to hit theatres on February 27 and be released on DVD on March 17. Landon Jr. is also interested in selecting Michigan to shoot upcoming films.

The Hollywood director started his career as an actor on TV's Little House on the Prarie. He played the character of Jim on a single episode.

http://americajr.com/news/michaellandonjr0216.html

Other States Cutting into Hollywood TV, Film Jobs

Daily Breeze | February 17, 2009

It started when Clint Eastwood went to Michigan to film "Gran Torino." Since then, George Clooney, Cuba Gooding Jr., Hilary Swank and other stars have made the pilgrimage to the Wolverine State to make movies. '

Now the phones are ringing off the hook in the "Hollywood of the Midwest," where Los Angeles film and television crews are flocking to take advantage of filming incentives - something the state of California doesn't provide.

"We're not the new Hollywood," said Mark Adler, director of the Michigan Production Alliance, a trade organization that supports film and video production.

http://nab365.bdmetrics.com/NST-11-50189963/Other-States-Cutting-into-Hollywood-TV-Film-Jobs.aspx