New framework for film incentives to be introduced in state Senate

DAWSON BELL - DETROIT FREE PRESS

JULY 13, 2011

A new framework for state government subsidies for movie and TV production aimed at concentrating the benefits of the program in Michigan was set for introduction in the state Senate this morning by Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe.

Richardville said the new criteria (which would replace the existing system of tax credits set to expire this year) would reduce the level of state support from a maximum of 42% of production costs to a maximum of 35%. Productions which hire Michigan workers and use Michigan studio facilities would be eligible for the highest level, Richardville said.

The legislation does not address the overall amount of funding available for film incentives, set for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 at $25 million. Industry insiders have complained that amount is too low to attract major movie productions to the state.

But Richardville said the discussion of whether to increase the funding level will come after the grant criteria are established, possibly later this year.

To view the full article, go to freep.com

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Editorial: Michigan film subsidies diminish, but state can still attract movie projects

DETROIT FREE PRESS

JULY 7, 2011

So Gov. Rick Snyder got what he wanted and eliminated the state's open-ended, 42% subsidy for the movie industry.

That's a policy victory he can celebrate, totally consistent with his opposition to the favored status that special interests had become accustomed to with Michigan's multibillion-dollar tax breaks.

But it's also a big loss for one of the state's few high-visibility growth sectors. As the movie sets pack up, sending thousands of crew and support staff to other states or the unemployment lines, it's worth the governor's continued attention to find ways to keep the excitement building, and the industry growing.

Michigan probably won't become Hollywood Midwest without the generous tax credits it's now phasing out. But it doesn't have to turn its back completely on the opportunity to stoke the youthful creativity, the spinoff business and the sheer buzz -- an economic development quality that's highly underrated -- the movie industry was generating.

To view the full article, go to freep.com

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What movies will get a piece of Michigan’s $25-million pie?

BY JULIE HINDS - DETROIT FREE PRESS

JULY 6, 2011

Part 3 of 3

The local landscape for filming in 2011 includes high-profile movies like "Oz: The Great and Powerful," Disney's big-budget prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," which has set up shop in Pontiac.

But once "Oz" is wrapped, will Hollywood still say, "There's no place like Michigan"?

The new budget signed by Gov. Rick Snyder will provide up to $25 million in direct grants for new projects in 2012. That's a much smaller pie than the uncapped film tax credit program that it is replacing.

The state could divvy up the slices to one huge project, four or five medium-size ones, a bunch of small homegrown movies or a mix-and-match assortment.

To view the full article, go to freep.com

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At event, ‘U’ officials discuss retaining film tax incentives

BY KATE HUMMER - THE MICHIGAN DAILY

JULY 2, 2011

LANSING — In a presentation on Wednesday at the Capitol Building in Lansing, members of the University community discussed the drawbacks to ending Michigan’s film incentive program and considered ways to amend it for the future.

Jim Burnstein — Hollywood screenwriter, University lecturer in Screen Arts & Cultures, and vice chair of the Michigan Film Office Advisory Council — presented his proposal "Amend, Don’t End” at the event, a plan to amend Michigan film incentive tax by reducing Michigan’s incentive rebate from 42 percent to 32 percent.

Additionally, Burnstein’s plan calls to offer additional incentives to film companies that do post-production work in Michigan, and advocates for a collaborative effort with Pure Michigan that includes placing their logos in the credits of films made in the state as part of an effort to promote tourism.

The film incentives bill, passed in 2008, provided a 42 percent rebate to production-related expenses incurred in the state. According to Burnstein, it accomplished three goals: to create jobs, build infrastructure and reverse the “brain drain” — the loss of Michigan’s young talent to more "successful" states.

To view the full article, go to michigandaily.com

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Once-growing movie business is now shrinking

BY KATHERINE YUNG - DETROIT FREE PRESS

JULY 5, 2011

Part 2 of 3

S&R Event Rental in Harrison Township did not hire the 10 to 12 workers it had planned to add. Belleville-based Carlson Catering spent $200,000 on trucks and equipment that are now sitting idle. And former "Days of our Lives" actor Steve Blackwood predicts there's a 50% chance he may leave the state because the number of movie and TV auditions has dwindled.

More than four months after Gov. Rick Snyder announced plans to drastically scale back generous incentives for moviemaking, Michigan's once rapidly expanding film industry is shrinking. The number of productions approved for film tax credits is down 43% from 2010 levels. And those getting the incentives are small films, not big-budget movies like "Real Steel" and "Scream 4."

"I feel like I'm not part of the Hollywood ballgame anymore," said Blackwood, who returned to his native state in 2009 because of the flurry of movie-making activity. "Knowing we're not in Hollywood Midwest anymore feels like a downer."

Many actors and production crew workers are struggling to make a living. The impact is also being felt by hundreds of businesses that had benefited from more than $649 million in spending by filmmakers over the last three years.

To view the full article, go to freep.com

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Alternatives to movie incentives to keep Michigan competitive

BY DAWSON BELL - DETROIT FREE PRESS

JULY 4, 2011

Part 1 of 3

With the end of tax credits that spawned a growing Michigan film industry, new state incentives -- beyond the $25 million in direct subsidies approved for 2012 -- are a long shot for the near future.

But advocates of incentives, who say $25 million isn't enough to keep Michigan in the highly competitive game, aren't giving up.

Here are some possible scenarios:

• The $25-million direct subsidy could become the norm, and major productions such as "Oz" take Michigan off their possible location list.

"Oz" was approved for more than $40 million of refundable tax credits and is in preproduction at Raleigh Studios in Pontiac.

• The direct subsidy could be increased a lot or a little if the program proves successful and state revenues grow enough to allow more spending. Gov. Rick Snyder would consider this.

To view the full article, go to freep.com

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Kowall: Bipartisan effort will encourage in-state production

BY KIRK PINHO - SPINAL COLUMN

MAY 25, 2011

State Sens. Mike Kowall (R-Commerce, Highland, Milford, Walled Lake, Wixom, Wolverine Lake, White Lake, Orchard Lake, West Bloomfield) and Virgil Smith (D-Detroit) are on opposite ends of the political spectrum in just about every policy debate in Lansing, but they have come together on a new piece of legislation that would restore the Michigan film credit program that was eliminated in a host of bills that, among other things, strip most retirees of the tax exemption on their pension income.

When the state’s film industry incentive program was enacted, it was included in the Michigan Business Tax, which is on the chopping block under the omnibus legislative package lawmakers agreed to largely on party lines earlier this month. That left some concerned that no film incentive would continue in the state.

The legislation would allow for up to a 42 percent tax credit on each “separate direct production expenditure” in one of 136 core communities, up to 40 percent in a community other than a core community, and up to 30 percent for each separate qualified personal expenditure — much like what currently exists for those looking to shoot their next big production in the Wolverine State.

According to Kowall, what Senate Bill (SB) 383 would do differently is provide “control mechanisms” where few now exist. The state treasurer has to concur with the amount of the tax credit doled out by the Michigan Film Office, and under the legislation, the credits could be flexible — say, only a 20 percent credit on production expenses rather than the firm 40 or 42 percent figure.

To view the full article, go to spinalcolumnonline.com

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$25-million incentives cap will slow film business

BY JULIE HINDS - THE DETROIT FREE PRESS

MAY 26, 2011

There will be up to $25 million available for made-in-Michigan film projects under the budget approved Thursday by the state legislature.

That $25-million figure, originally proposed by Gov. Rick Snyder, represents a drastic reduction from the past three years, during which Michigan became a power player in the competition for movie, TV and digital work.

While a few previously approved high-profile projects are set to begin filming this summer, the pending applications for the incentives help demonstrate the slowdown that will likely happen under a $25-million annual cap.

In 2010, 58 projects that worked in Michigan were awarded $115 million in film incentives. In the fiscal year 2012, interested projects will be competing for less than a fourth of that figure, as the budget stands now.

To view the full article, go to freep.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday Film Incentive News Wrap-Up

BY HAROLD PHILLIPS - PROFESSIONAL ACTORS GUIDE

MAY 28, 2011

It’s Saturday, which means it’s time for our weekly look at some of the news about film incentive programs around the country.  Now, you know the focus of this site is Oregon’s film and TV industry, and its effect on the state’s economy.  It’s important to keep an eye on trends nationwide, though.  The film and TV industry is an interdependent organism; what happens around the country affects Oregon’s industry, and what happens in Oregon affects the rest of the country as well. 

While each state’s incentive program is different, it’s important to see the “big picture” by keeping an eye on the choices other states have made – to learn from their successes and their mistakes.

To view the full article, go to professionalactorsguide.com

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Cleveland Gets Tax Dollars from Film Workers Trained in Michigan

BY JILL GAMBARO - DETROIT ENTERTAINMENT EXAMINER

MAY 24, 2011

When Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, announced he was capping the Michigan Film Incentives at $25 million in February 2011, he not only shut down a $503 million revenue stream into the State, he told the world not to invest in Michigan because Michigan does not keep its word.

He also angered a lot of people who do business across a wide variety of industries. Films already financed, based on the math the incentives provided for costs of production, fell through, losing private equity, hedge fund and corporate investors tens of millions of dollars. Movie distributor had to readjust their schedules for the next several years. And the world was watching.

The Michigan legislature tells supporters of the incentives they love the economic impact it bring to the State, but they need to generate more tax revenues off of the program. That it’s a budgetary problem, the State simply spends more than what it brings in. However, instead of saving tax dollars, the move is now costing them as Cleveland takes up the slack.

Many of the films slated to be shot in Michigan, have moved to Cleveland in the last three months. As those projects gear up for production, they’re finding there’s not enough crew in Ohio to support all the activity. One insider, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “There are only 12 people in the crew base in Dayton. In Cleveland, it’s a little bigger because they have a commercial business. The vast majority of those crews are going to have to come down from Detroit.” Both IATSE and The Teamsters are reportedly talking to Cleveland about sending workers there.

To view the full article, go to examiner.com

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Stage door shuts on Michigan’s actors

Roundtable finds growing film industry in state stymied by cap on film incentives

BY URSULA WATSON - THE DETROIT NEWS

MAY 24, 2011

Many local actors have more time on their hands — and they don't like it.

Since Gov. Rick Snyder announced his proposal in February to cap the state's generous film tax incentives, big-budget film projects such as "The Avengers" and the "Batman" sequel, "The Dark Knight Rise," quickly headed to other states, taking with them jobs.

"Since Feb. 17, I haven't found any work," says actor/writer/ comedian David Donaldson during an actor's roundtable held last week at The Detroit News.

Donaldson and fellow roundtable participants Jeanette Manderachia and Joe Kathrein are Michigan natives who returned home to find work in the film/TV industry. They are among the young talent who were eager to build their resumes as they found work near family and friends.

To their dismay, Snyder and Republican legislative leaders announced last Thursday a deal to cap the film tax incentives at $25 million. As the governor readies his pen to sign the state's budget into law as early as May 31, actors like Donaldson, Manderachia and Kathrein are faced with the possibility of following their creative aspirations elsewhere.

To view the full article, go to detnews.com

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New York Pulls in Productions with Billions in Incentives

BY LESLIE LINDEMAN - BELOW THE LINE

MAY 23, 2011

Sublet your place, drop the dog off with your mom and hop on the redeye. The state of New York has committed more than $2 billion in incentives for film and television productions over the next five years.

This is a story about how New York taxpayers created the largest pool of incentive money of any state to date, how some of it in the next five years could indirectly wind up in your pocket, and about how so far, the strategy seems to be working.

On the strength of 30% production incentives, the Empire State attracted a record 12 pilots in the first quarter of 2011, and 16 for the season, according to Pat Kaufman, director of the New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development. There are a dozen multi-season television shows filming in New York, including Boardwalk Empire, Nurse Jackie, Rescue Me, 30 Rock, two Law & Order entries and the 36th season of Saturday Night Live.

Meanwhile, the Big Apple has turned the tables on the longstanding practice of shooting stories that take place in New York elsewhere, and parachuting into the city for two days of filming exteriors. Kaufman quotes her organization’s motto, “If it’s in the script, it’s in New York.”

To view the full article, go to btlnews.com

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West Michigan moviemakers juggle life without state film tax credit

BY ERIC GAERTNER - MUSKEGON CHRONICLE

MAY 20, 2011

In a few days, Erin Zacek will be attending commencement with her fellow graduates at the University of Notre Dame.

In a few months, the 22-year-old from Spring Lake may very well be driving a moving truck as she leaves Michigan in pursuit of her moviemaking dream.

Zacek and other aspiring moviemakers in Michigan have had detours placed on their career paths by the elimination last week of the state's film tax incentive. Those young adults who trained for jobs in the previously growing state film industry are left considering relocation to other states, while those with families who want to stay here search for other work while they continue to make movies.

All of those life-changing decisions are being made while they hold out some hope that Senate Bill 383, introduced last week by two senators that would restore a modified film tax credit, will be acceptable to state leaders and bring back the movies.

To view the full article, go to mlive.com

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Michigan’s movie-making days:
The End?

BY JACK LESSENBERRY - THE TOLEDO BLADE

MAY 20, 2011

PLEASANT RIDGE, Mich. -- Ever since Michigan began to offer the film industry generous tax credits three years ago, debate has raged over whether they were worth it.

What's very clear is that the theory that "if we offer credits, Hollywood will come," turned out to be true. Four years ago, before the credit was enacted, the Michigan Film Office reported that movie-makers spent barely $2 million in the state.

That exploded to $224 million within two years. Since the credits, scores of movie and TV productions have been produced in Michigan, including Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino, the films Transformers 3 and Real Steel, and two TV series, the just-canceled Detroit 1-8-7 and HBO's controversial Hung. Don't ask.

Has it been worth it? To many people who have been excited by the prospect of seeing Al Pacino on the street or getting the chance to work as an extra for a couple days, the answer has been an excited, almost breathless yes.

"Oh, it was a thrill," said 88-year-old Jack Caminker, who got to be in a movie that needed a group of elderly Jewish men. "Definitely worth it."

To view the full article, go to toledoblade.com

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Elmore Leonard’s ‘Freaky Deaky’ to be filmed in Michigan

BY JULIE HINDS - THE DETROIT FREE PRESS

MAY 20, 2011

“Freaky Deaky,” an adaptation of the 1988 novel by acclaimed author Elmore Leonard, has been approved for the state’s film incentives, the Michigan Film Office announced today.

The movie was given the OK for $2.8 million in incentives on an expected $6.9 million in spending in Michigan. That brings the total of money approved in 2011 to $15.8 million for 10 projects.

And it means roughly $9 million is left for 31 pending applications, since the Michigan Film Office is operating under Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed $25-million annual cap for new film incentives.

“Freaky Deaky” will be directed by Charlie Matthau, who helmed 1995’s “The Grass Harp,” which starred his father, legendary actor Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek.

It will star William H. Macy.

To view the full article, go to freep.com

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New film incentive bill introduced

BY MARINA CSOMOR - THESTATENEWS.COM

MAY 19, 2011

Michigan’s film tax credits, eliminated under the tax reform approved last week by the state Legislature, might soon make another appearance.

State Sen. Mike Kowall, R-White Lake Township, introduced a bill on May 12 that would reinvent these tax credits and still offer filmmakers an incentive to film in state.

Kowall said this bill would give the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, or MEDC, more authority over which filmmakers get the credits and the amounts they receive, making sure the projects that are funded bring the state the most benefits.

“It’s not just an open checkbook (anymore),” he said. “(The MEDC) will be able to judge the jobs on their own merits.”

To view the full article, go to statenews.com

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Ads on film tax credits air in GOP markets

Spots run in regions where senators seem open to incentives

BY MELISSA BURDEN - THE DETROIT NEWS

MAY 19, 2011

Troy — A grassroots website called www.FilmCreditsWorks.com [sic] has launched two commercials in specific Republican senate markets that show Michigan residents benefiting from the state's film incentive program, which is in jeopardy of being cut.

The group raised $8,500 to cover 600 spots that began running Wednesday on Comcast, said Nancy Skinner, an incentive supporter who helped design the website and last summer opened NextWave Media Studios in Troy. Donations of $2,500 each came from Gilbert Films and Exxodus Pictures.

"These are the real people. These aren't the celebrities," she said. "We want to put names and faces to this kind of spreadsheet war."

Ads began airing Wednesday to coincide with a Senate economic development committee meeting in Lansing, and Skinner said more ads will be bought if it raises more money.

Last week, state Sens. Mike Kowall, R-White Lake Township, and Virgil Smith, D-Detroit, introduced a bill that would preserve film tax credits, open up incentives to TV commercials and give the state more flexibility to award applicants up to 42 percent cash rebates on productions instead of set cash rebate limits, Kowall said.

To view the full article, go to detnews.com

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Ad campaign for film credits launched

BY JOSEPH SZCZESNY - THE OAKLAND PRESS

MAY 18, 2011

The effort on to keep the State of Michigan’s support for the film industry in place is continuing this week as an Oakland County Group launches a new advertising campaign praising the success of tax credits.

The campaign is supported by both self-identified Republicans and Democrats and was organized by Nancy Skinner, a long-time TV and radio host on national cable networks, as well as a former Democratic congressional candidate in Oakland County.

Gov. Rick Snyder has proposed scaling back the credits during the state’s next fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1.

The pro-film credit campaign begin Wednesday and will run for a week, both on a website called www.FilmCreditsWorks.com and local cable television networks in Oakland and Macomb counties.

The ads feature Michiganders, both Republicans and Democrats,  who “reinvented” themselves after the recession and auto collapse with the help of the film incentives approved in 2008, organizers of the campaign said.

To view the full article, go to theoaklandpress.com

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Group airs TV ads touting benefits of film tax credits

BY MELISSA BURDEN - THE DETROIT NEWS

MAY 18, 2011

A grassroots website, www.FilmCreditsWorks.com, has raised $8,500 to launch television commercials on Comcast that show Michigan residents benefiting from the state's film incentive program, which is in jeopardy of being cut.

Two TV ads focusing on economic impact and the brain drain will begin airing today on Comcast and will run for a week, according to a news release. The ads will air in parts of Oakland and Macomb counties, Lansing, Battle Creek and Monroe and in other areas legislators have shown to be open minded about preserving film tax credits, according to the release.

Gov. Rick Snyder in February announced he wants to cut the previously uncapped film incentives to $25 million each in fiscal 2012 and 2013. Film industry supporters have been working and lobbying the Legislature for an alternate proposal.

UPDATE: The ad campaign unveiling came as the Gongwer news service reports today — based on an anonymous source — that top state officials have tentatively agreed to fund $25 million for the movie incentive program, but budget talks are ongoing.

The state House didn't approve a funding level for the film incentive program, while the Senate passed a $10 million allotment. Both houses of the Legislature must agree and approve a funding level before it can be sent to the governor for his signature or veto.

To view the full article, go to detnews.com

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Commercials in support of Michigan’s film incentives launch today

BY JULIE HINDS - DETROIT FREE PRESS

MAY 18, 2011

Paid TV commercials are launching today that support the Michigan film incentives.

The ads from FilmCreditsWork.com star people on both sides of the political aisle who would be impacted if the tax credits for filmmaking are reduced or eliminated by the current budget process, according to the Web group.

Two rotating spots will air for one week in Lansing and in targeted districts on Comcast cable, specifically on Fox News, MSNBC, ESPN, Bravo and Lifetime.

The initial $8,500 ad buy was raised mostly from small individual donations. Large contributions of $2,500 came from both Gilbert Films, the company of metro Detroit native and "The Kids Are All Right" producer Gary Gilbert, and Exxodus Pictures, the local company that's making the supernatural thriller "Jinn."

The ads will air in parts of Oakland and Macomb counties and other key districts.

Governor Rick Snyder proposes capping the incentives at $25 million annually, an amount the local film industry says would effectively end the program's ability be competitive with other states —- or sustain jobs and infrastructure.

Former congressional candidate Nancy Skinner helped form the FilmCreditsWork.com site, where the ads also can be viewed.

To view the original article, go to freep.com

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Senator’s bill would preserve Michigan film credits

BY KATHERINE YUNG - DETROIT FREE PRESS

MAY 14, 2011

In a bid to keep Michigan's film industry thriving, two state senators have introduced a bill to preserve tax credits for movie making in the state.

Senate Bill No. 383 was introduced Thursday by Sens. Mike Kowall, R-White Lake Township, and Virgil Smith, D-Detroit.

Kowall, chair of the Senate Economic Development Committee, acknowledged that winning support for it is "going to be tough," but "I've got a good feeling about it."

Even though the state Legislature voted to eliminate the credits as part of a tax-reform package Thursday, Senate Bill 383 could restore some incentives for the industry.

To view the full article, go to freep.com

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ABC pulls plug on crime drama
‘Detroit 1-8-7’

BY ADAM GRAHAM, MELISSA BURDEN AND MICKI STEELE -
THE DETROIT NEWS

MAY 14, 2011

Friday the 13th proved unlucky for "Detroit 1-8-7" as ABC canceled the made-in-Detroit cop drama.

Jason Richman, a writer, creator and executive producer for the show, confirmed late Friday afternoon that the network dropped the ax on the program.

"We got the call from the network less than an hour ago," he said in a telephone call with The Detroit News. "Yeah, it's official."

Network officials, Richman said, were complimentary of the show and told him it was a hard decision for them to make. "At the end of the day, this is a business decision for them, and they had to make it," he said.

The news spread Friday afternoon from various entertainment news websites and was soon picked up by various cast and crew members on Twitter.

"To clarify: yes, it's official. Detroit 187 has been canceled. Thank you for the support," tweeted series co-star Erin Cummings, who played the show's coroner, Dr. Abbey Ward. A handful of others followed.

"All I can say is thank you for watching. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did," tweeted Mick Betancourt, a producer and writer for the series. Actor Shaun Majumder, who played Detective Vikram Mahajan, added, "Well it looks like Detroit 187 is finished on ABC. Here's to a great season with an incredible cast. Thankful for what we did. Tnx Dtroit."

To view the full article, go to detnews.com

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Hearing on film impact planned for Friday in Pontiac

BY JULIE HINDS - DETROIT FREE PRESS

MAY 10, 2011

State Sen. Mike Kowall is planning a public hearing at 3 p.m. Friday at Raleigh Michigan Studios in Pontiac to gather information on the economic impact of the state's film industry.

The White Lake Township Republican, who's holding the event through the economic development committee that he chairs, says he hopes to hear from members of the local film community and include as many voices as possible.

Gov. Rick Snyder has proposed a $25-million annual cap on new film incentives, an amount the local film industry says would end Michigan's role as a competitive filmmaking state.

The state Senate is expected to vote as soon as Thursday on Snyder's tax overhaul plan, already approved in the House, which would eliminate the Michigan Business Tax and, with it, the current film incentive program.

To view the full article, go to freep.com

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Caterers, hotels watch business flee

BY MELISSA BURDEN - THE DETROIT NEWS

MAY 11, 2011

Bookings dwindle amid uncertainty about film incentives

The uncertainty over funding Michigan's film incentives — sparked by a proposed $25 million annual cap — is hurting local businesses from hotels and restaurants to security firms that benefited from movie and television productions over the past three years.

The four-star Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit has booked more than $1 million in overnight room sales since Michigan's film incentive program began in April 2008, said Amanda Toy, the Westin's group sales manager.

Earlier this year, it lost $280,000 in business when Marvel Studios chose to shoot a major production in another state, Toy said.

Likewise, Homewood Suites by Hilton-Detroit/Troy learned March 15 that it was losing $124,000 in planned business this year when film crews for the romantic comedy "My Beautiful Mistake" canceled a booking of up to 30 hotel rooms, said hotel sales director Robert McCullough.

[Webmaster note: We have interviews with both Amanda Toy and Robert McCullough on the Your Videos page and on our YouTube channel.]

To view the full article, go to detnews.com

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Michigan’s film studios go to fade-out

BY LOUIS AGUILAR - THE DETROIT NEWS

MAY 11, 2011

Once the hope for new jobs, movie production folds in the face of disappearing incentives

Michigan's fledgling film studio infrastructure is crumbling as the number of productions declines in the wake of a $25 million limit on state cash incentives for movies, television shows and digital media.

Livonia-based Maxsar Digital Studios, which opened a week before Gov. Rick Snyder announced in mid-February that he wanted to cut and cap the nation's most generous film and television industry tax incentives, has laid off its 50 employees and idled all productions.

A west Michigan facility known as 10 West Studios has lost two potential film deals.

Another studio operated by S3 Entertainment Group in Ferndale was evicted from a Madison Heights location earlier this year for failure to pay rent.

"We don't have a sufficient industry to support an infrastructure at the $25 million cap," said Jeff Spilman, founder and managing director of S3 Entertainment Group, referring to Snyder's plan, which the state Film Office has adopted but the Legislature has yet to approve.

To view the full article, go to detnews.com

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Raleigh Studios opens in Pontiac

BY KATHERINE YUNG - DETROIT FREE PRESS

MAY 5, 2011

Amid uncertainty over the future of Michigan's movie industry, the $80-million Raleigh Michigan Studios has quietly opened for business in Pontiac.

Michigan's first major film studio features seven sound stages and state-of-the-art equipment at the site of the former General Motors Centerpoint truck plant and office complex. The studio also has 360,000 square feet of office space, some of which has already been leased to production companies, production services firms and other vendors, said Michael Newport, director of marketing for Raleigh Studios, the California-based company that is a partner in the project.

"We're moving forward," he said. "There are still productions coming to Michigan."

No filming has occurred yet at the studio, whose owners include local businessmen A. Alfred Taubman, Linden Nelson and John Rakolta Jr. But Chris Baum, senior vice president of sales and marketing at the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, said in a recent Film Detroit newsletter that "one major, pre-approved, studio blockbuster has contracted for most of the space at Raleigh for the rest of 2011 and a bit beyond."

To view the full article, go to freep.com

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Amend, Don’t End has hope of saving film incentives

BY RUTH L. RATNY - REEL CHICAGO

MAY 1, 2011

The Michigan house on April 28 passed Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed budget bill -- the one that axes all business incentives, including those for film production in the state. 

While the bill does include the governor’s proposed $25 million film cap – there’s still hope, says Michigan film consultant Ken Droz. He is an officer of the non-profit Amend, Don’t End Coalition for Michigan’s Film and Digital Media Incentives.

“The Senate still has to weigh in on the issue and we feel we have a better shot of retaining the incentives with the Senate,” he says, noting that the Senate majority leader is a supporter of Michigan film production.

During the short window between now and the Senate vote on the bill scheduled for July, “The battle to preserve the incentives will take place,” says Droz, when Amend, Don’t End will be working overtime to raise funds for lobbying and legal services.

To view the full article, go to reelchicago.com

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Michigan’s film incentives provide economic boost

BY MARK ADLER - THE OAKLAND PRESS GUEST OPINION

MAY 1, 2011

I am a member of Michigan’s film production community and a Michigan taxpayer.

I’d like you and your readers to consider that the package of bills that make up our film incentives are an investment in Michigan’s economy. No investment earns the big payout in the short run, but these have brought in thousands of jobs and spurred people to spend and invest in Michigan. Many of those who benefit from these incentives are vendors who in fact are not related to this industry. Though the current law is still on the books, the effect of proposing to cap these bills has had an immediate impact on me and my family. I am out of work and on unemployment.

There are areas of the bill that should be reviewed. As examples I would suggest that providing incentives for out of state crew is unnecessary. And allowing companies to “pass through” as Michigan corporations is counterproductive.

In the larger picture, we must remember, we are now surrounded by states with similar incentives and perhaps they are more attractive due to weather, infrastructure or other factors. They are happy to take the business we turn away. We need an opportunity to grow ours and better compete. We lose nothing if they don’t come. We gain if they do and we have in the past.

To view the full article, go to theoaklandpress.com

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“Detroit 1-8-7” leaving Michigan? No decision yet, producers say

BY BJ HAMMERSTEIN - DETROIT FREE PRESS

APRIL 27, 2011

The first season of ABC's “Detroit 1-8-7” concluded on March 20, but there’s still plenty of drama following the series as fans await its second-season fate.

On Tuesday, an ominous message was posted to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) Detroit Facebook page.

“Another one bites the dust,” the message from the local actors’ union stated. “I just got official word that ‘Detroit 1-8-7’ is leaving Michigan.”

Later today, AFTRA sent a statement to the Free Press and said they took down the original Facebook posting.

To view the full article, go to freep.com

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[Note: we are mentioned in these articles, so read them in full at the source - Thanks, Erik!]

Part I: Websites plea qualitative paybacks to save Michigan film industry

BY ERIK BEAN - EXAMINER.COM

APRIL 24, 2011

The fledgling Michigan film industry is in trouble. Newcomer Michigan Governor Rick Snyder (R) readies to pull the tax abatements soon. A cursory review of several Websites indicates business owners and locals agree, the immediate economic impact should not be measured quantitatively, but qualitatively over time.  

From small film and production companies to hospitality and eateries, the Michigan stakeholders also include local cinema programs at Baker College, Madonna University, Specs Howard School of Media Arts, Oakland University, and Michigan State, for example. Michigan natives Mitch Albom, Free Press writer, and infamous Detroit based Attorney Geoffrey Feiger told several Detroit area television networks this past week that Michigan is in trouble.

However, Michigan’s film tax abate program has the potential to help make the state a desirable destination to live and work. Feiger cited Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles as centers where creativity is bred. Michigan, with the film industry incentive, has a chance to claim greatness, according to Feiger.

To view the full article, go to examiner.com

Part II: Websites plea qualitative paybacks to save Michigan film industry

BY ERIK BEAN - EXAMINER.COM

APRIL 25, 2011

“At present the film industry is just getting started and is mainly concerned with production, with the post production and distribution here in Michigan still to come.  This is where a lot of the revenue is, not just the quick production of a movie (although it is the most ‘glamorous’ part of making a movie), but it is also in all the production planning, and post production, and the distribution of that product (the film) to the rest of the world,” said Chuck Derry.

Derry works at Madonna University, one of many local colleges and trade schools offering film production certifications and degrees. A complete listing of programs is available on the Michigan Film Office Website.  The domino effect of the local film industry is those who work in education. 

Many colleges have spent millions in film studio, equipment, and infrastructure. The list of programs is lengthy, each supporting instructors and students who yearn for a variety of film jobs. Derry and Cynthia Keleman said students would stay when they know they can connect with local companies who have a firm foothold in the film business.

To view the full article, go to examiner.com

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NOTE: THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST ARTICLES WE’VE SEEN ON THE FILM INCENTIVES. CLEAR, WELL-WRITTEN AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND. IT’S WELL WORTH TAKING THE TIME TO READ.

Keely Baribeau: Film tax credits aid state economy; why end them?

BY KEELY BARIBEAU - PORT HURON TIMES HERALD

APRIL 21, 2011

The Michigan Film Tax Incentive is one of the best programs the state has. Naysayers bash it as padding Hollywood pockets. They say it doesn't generate tax revenue. Let's just say they don't see the big picture.

With any developing enterprise, the incentive program has flaws. They pale in comparison, however, to the profitable potential this industry holds for Michigan. Designed to bring jobs, the film tax credit has done just that -- maintaining employed residents in temporary and full-time positions.

Anyone who attends the Blue Water Film Festival in October can hear first-hand stories of people who have benefitted. Beyond filmmakers, people have flourished in catering, transportation, restaurants, farming carpentry and security. Even local actors benefit. These are Michigan residents buying goods and services and, yes, paying taxes.

To receive Michigan's nation-leading tax return of up to 42%, a film company must spend more than $50,000 in the state. At least 40% of the crew must be Michigan residents. With an increase in filmmaking activity, more infrastructure is created and more Michigan residents are hired.

To view the full article, go to thetimesherald.com

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Film industry supporters push state incentive cap

BY KATHERINE YUNG - THE DETROIT FREE PRESS

APRIL 21, 2011

A group of Michigan film industry supporters unveiled a proposal Wednesday that would cap the state's spending on tax credits for moviemaking at $180 million a year and reduce the incentive rate from 42% to 32%.

The incentives are currently uncapped. But Gov. Rick Snyder has proposed limiting spending on these tax breaks to $25 million a year, which would sharply curtail the industry's growth in Michigan.

Leaders of the newly formed Amend Don't End Coalition said they believe their proposal would save the state money while keeping Michigan competitive with other top movie-making states.

"There is no point in doing this if you're not going to be near the top," Free Press columnist Mitch Albom told supporters during a rally Wednesday evening at the Masonic Temple in Detroit.

To view the full article, go to freep.com

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Film office approves “The Citizen” for incentive

BY MELISSA BURDEN - THE DETROIT NEWS

APRIL 20, 2011

The Michigan Film Office said today it approved a $561,000 tax incentive for the feature film "The Citizen," the fifth project approved under new guidelines.

Directed by Michigan filmmaker Sam Kadi, "The Citizen" follows a Lebanese immigrant on his journey to becoming an American citizen. The production expects to spend $1.34 million in the state and will shoot in Metro Detroit.

"As we work to attract the best projects to the state, it is especially rewarding when the filmmakers driving those projects are located right here in Michigan," Carrie Jones, director of the film office, said in a statement. "This project will significantly utilize the film crew and infrastructure as well as locations here in the state, making it a great fit for the incentives."

The state is reviewing film incentive applications under new guidelines that include Gov. Rick Snyder's proposed $25 million cap on incentives for both fiscal 2012 and 2013. In total, the state has approved seven projects this year totaling $10.6 million in incentives, based on $25.58 million in production spending in the state.

To view the full article, go to detnews.com

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Film Festival Displays Effects of Michigan Film Tax Incentive Limbo

BY L VINCENT POUPARD - YAHOO NEWS

APRIL 19, 2011

COMMENTARY | I had the opportunity to cover the Motor City Nightmares horror convention and film festival this weekend and was not surprised that the hot topic of discussion was the potential cutting of the state of Michigan film tax incentives. As there were many film creators, it was interesting to hear the hardships that they are facing over the fact Gov. Rick Snyder wants to eliminate or reduce the amount of tax incentives that film studios could get.

After talking to many of these film creators, I began to get a scope of the limbo that their projects are in right now. Due to the fact they do not know what will happen to the Michigan-made film incentives, projects have had to be put on hold. Contracts have had to be rewritten, and extra money has been put out in some cases to keep locations on hold. There was also introduced to a few cases in which film creators have lost potential stars due to the fact that shooting dates could not be solidified.

I witnessed as some of the film creators spoke to the special guests that were signing autographs at the convention. In one case in particular, a director was trying to sell a movie idea to one of the horror actresses. When she asked about the potential filming schedule, the director got sheepish when he had to explain that the tax credits were holding the project off. He explained that he was not able to schedule anything until he found out what was going to happen in the state. The actress went from excited to standoffish in three sentences.

To view the full article, go to news.yahoo.com

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Webathon Underway To Raise Funds To Advertise Need for Film Tax Breaks

BY Detroit WWJ

APRIL 17, 2011

It worked for RoboCop.  But, can it work for the film incentives?  Supporters are hoping a webcast helps them raise enough money to kick off a statewide ad campaign they hope will help keep the incentives intact. 

FilmCreditsWork.com spokeswoman Sharon Baseman says they hope to raise $46,000 dollars in pledges by Tuesday for the ad campaign.

 

She says the incentives have proven time and again that they do work.

“We started a kickstarter.com project to raise money to fund these ads about real people working in the film industry in Michigan, not Hollywood types, you know, to show how it affects the Michigan economy, how many people are gonna be hurt,” says Baseman.

 ”We sent out an email blast to all the people who signed up at our site, we are pushing it on Facebook and are asking people to forward it on to their friends,” says Baseman to WWJ.

“Jeff Daniels brother, who has a lumber yard in Chelsea, and they did about $300,000 dollars worth of business from the film industry,” adds Baseman.

A telethon Webcast is being held Sunday to raise funds for a statewide ad campaign to keep the film incentives. 

Governor Rick Snyder has proposed cutting the film tax incentives as part of the states overall budget plan.

Read the full story at detroit.cbslocal.com

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Michigan webathon fights bill to kill $25 million cap

BY MARK MORGAN

REELCHICAGO.COM - APRIL 17, 2011

Michigan film workers will rally Sunday, April 17, for a non-stop, 15 hour webathon to raise money to fund a TV spot campaign, in an effort to influence the legislature to maintain Michigan’s film tax incentives. 

The “Film Credits Work Webathon” was triggered by Republicans on a House subcommittee’s approval of a bill Wednesday to eliminate Gov. Rick Snyder ’s proposed $25 million incentives cap and thus bury any possibility of a continuing Michigan film industry.

Leading the effort to raise $46,000 to fund the two-week campaign is activist Nancy Skinner, president/CEO of full-service HDTV NextWave Media Studio of Troy.  A Michigan native, she spent 12 years in Chicago as a broadcaster and was a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat won by Barack Obama.

Read the full story at reelchicago.com

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Add the Loss of Michigan’s Film Industry to Snyder’s “Accomplishments”

BY WIZARD KITTEN

WIZARDKITTEN.COM - APRIL 1, 2011

That's a wrap.

There have been some minor projects already approved under the proposed cap of $25 million a year for Michigan's film incentives, but the total damage done has been far, far greater - and it's growing every day. Since Snyder's announcement, thousands of jobs and millions of dollars have been lost for our state, and the DNews was kind enough to add some of it up for us this morning when the news came that yet another major project has decided to go elsewhere.

Michigan's largest film incentive application of the year, in which producers wanted to spend $58.2 million in the state and hire 2,256 Michiganians, is no longer under consideration because producers are looking at other states, a Michigan Film Office official said Thursday.

The film office received DW Studio Productions LLC's "Untitled Doug Liman Project" application on Feb. 9, a little over a week before Gov. Rick Snyder announced his proposal to cap Michigan's generous and uncapped film incentives at $25 million each for fiscal 2012 and 2013. Liman, a Hollywood director, has directed the blockbuster "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" as well as "Go" and "Swingers."

The Film Office, trying to put on a brave face in what must be a devastating time for them, is politely saying that the project left - but Paramount is claiming the project was denied. This is a $58 million dollar movie that would have sought $22.9 million in credits, which would have been nearly the entire budget for the year. Big productions just will not happen under Snyder's proposal, and this is only the latest project to join the exodus of blockbusters leaving the state.

Read the full story at wizardkitten.com

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Jobs not enough to ease concerns over Michigan film credit

BY DAWSON BELL

DETROIT FREE PRESS - APRIL 7, 2011

Gov. Rick Snyder gave no indication Wednesday that he's ready to compromise on keeping anything close to Michigan's current incentives for filmmakers.

He acknowledged that the program -- which allows the producers of films, TV shows and video games to be reimbursed by the state for up to 42% of their costs -- has created jobs, but said it is unsustainable over the long term.

"I will acknowledge it does create some jobs," he said in an interview with the Free Press. "The question is: At what price? And what's the opportunity cost in terms of other choices that we need to make?"

Credits as generous as Michigan's can't help but stimulate some economic activity, he said.

"If I went up to any businessman and said, 'Will you do business in our state, will you create jobs if I give you 42 cents on the dollar of your cost?' (he) would look at me and say, 'That's the dumbest question anyone has ever asked me,' " Snyder said.

Read the full story at freep.com

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Panel debates film industry incentives in town hall

BY CHARLES CRUMM

OAKLAND PRESS - APRIL 5, 2011

Lawmakers and people in the film industry tackled Michigan's controversial film tax credits that Gov. Rick Snyder proposes to reduce in a live town hall Monday at CMNtv in Troy, sponsored by The Oakland Press.

Panelists included state Reps. Tim Melton, D-Auburn Hills, and Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner, who wrote the film industry tax credit legislation when he was a state lawmaker, and local filmmaker Sam Logan Khaleghi of West Bloomfield Township.

For an hour before a live studio audience, they tackled the pros and cons of state assistance to the film industry in a debate moderated by attorney and television personality Charlie Langton.

McMillin was clearly outnumbered in his opposition to the film credits which, at up to 42 percent, have been the most generous in the country and credited with bringing a number of high profile projects to the state, as well as fostering a support industry.

Read the full story at theoaklandpress.com

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HBO’s ‘Hung’ lands Michigan film incentives

BY JULIE HINDS

DETROIT FREE PRESS - APRIL 5, 2011

“Hung,” the HBO series that’s set in metro Detroit, has been approved for Michigan’s film incentives.

The show will get an estimated credit of $1 million and plans to spend $2.6 million here on filming of its third season.

This brings the total of incentives approved in 2011 to roughly $8.1 million. That’s nearly one-third of the $25-million cap on new film incentives in Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed budget. As the budget waits for legislative approval, the Michigan Film Office is following that $25-million range. There is no annual cap in the current law.

At the moment, about 40 applications are pending.

“Hung” submitted an application in January and had been hoping to return to the region that helps define the show. Earlier this year, a “Hung” producer said location filming was expected to start this month.

Read the full story at freep.com

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‘Detroit 1-8-7’ pulls out of Highland Park studio

Uncertain fate of second season, tax break puts show in limbo

BY MELISSA BURDEN

THE DETROIT NEWS - APRIL 5, 2011

The future of "Detroit 1-8-7" shooting in the Motor City for a second season was in doubt Monday after a producer confirmed that the cop drama is leaving its studio space in Highland Park.

"ABC has decided to vacate the stage space for now considering the unclear future of the show," Jason Richman, a writer, creator and executive producer for "Detroit 1-8-7" said in an e-mail Monday. "But no final decision has been communicated to us."

Also unclear is whether the state of Michigan will approve a request for tax credits to support continued filming here if "Detroit 1-8-7" stays on the air for a second season.

"As far as we know, our incentive application has been put on hold like many others, pending new legislation," Richman said. "But it has not been rejected."

Richman said in a later phone call that he didn't know if the decision to leave the studio is permanent, even if ABC picks up the show for a second season.

ABC has said it won't make a decision about renewing the series until May.

Read the full story at detnews.com

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With incentive in doubt, Mich. out $58M on film from “Mr. & Mrs. Smith director

Producers of project to have hired 2,256 now looking at other states

BY MELISSA BURDEN AND ADAM GRAHAM

THE DETROIT NEWS - APRIL 1, 2011

Michigan's largest film incentive application of the year, in which producers wanted to spend $58.2 million in the state and hire 2,256 Michiganians, is no longer under consideration because producers are looking at other states, a Michigan Film Office official said Thursday.

The film office received DW Studio Productions LLC's "Untitled Doug Liman Project" application on Feb. 9, a little over a week before Gov. Rick Snyder announced his proposal to cap Michigan's generous and uncapped film incentives at $25 million each for fiscal 2012 and 2013. Liman, a Hollywood director, has directed the blockbuster "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" as well as "Go" and "Swingers."

"They decided to move the project elsewhere," Carrie Jones, director of the Michigan Film Office, confirmed Thursday. She did not have a date when producers told the film office about their decision.

Paramount Picture Corp. had a different story.

"The application was not withdrawn," Paramount Pictures Corp. spokeswoman Virginia Lam said in an e-mail statement. "Rather, the application (for) the state's film rebate program was denied."

Read the full story at detnews.com

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MANCHESTER: HBO considering village for Lewis and Clark mini-series shoot

BY DAVID VESELENAK

HERITAGE MEDIA - MARCH 29, 2011

It could be lights, camera, action for the village of Manchester this year.

HBO has turned in an application to the Michigan Film Office to film in Manchester for an upcoming mini-series.

Ray Berg, president of the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce, said the cable station has considered Manchester as a site to film a mini-series based off the book “Undaunted Courage,” which tells the story of Lewis and Clarke exploring the West.

Berg said the cable station is looking to recreate downtown St. Louis, Mo., in 1803, and the millpond was one area the HBO scout saw potential.

“For the last two-and-half-years, we’ve been sending them tons of photographs,” Berg said. “There are so many different venues available.”

Some areas in Freedom Township were also being looked at, Berg said.

While the application is turned in, it does not mean filming will take place in the village. With Gov. Rick Snyder discussing capping the film credits at $25 million a year, HBO could make the decision to pull out and film the mini-series, which Berg said would be on the same level as “Band of Brothers” and “John Adams,” elsewhere.

Read the full story at heritage.com

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Michigan’s Film Incentives Are Leaving. So Are Its Filmmakers.

BY ANTHONY KAUFMAN

INDIEWIRE - MARCH 30, 2011

          

Michigan’s generous film production tax credits appear to have been too good to be true. Now, the state’s burgeoning film industry is losing its momentum and filmmakers are fleeing the state.

In 2008, Michigan created one of the nation’s most aggressive rebate programs with a 42% tax credit that provided unlimited rebates. Studios and independents rushed to the mitten-shaped state; among the studio projects that took advantage of the offer were “Transformers 3,” “Gran Torino” and “Scream 4;” indies included “Vanishing on 7th Street,” “Salvation Boulevard,” “Youth in Revolt” and “Stone.”

That changed in February, when newly elected governor Rick Snyder proposed reducing the credit from unlimited rebates to an annual $25 million cap.

“I got a call three hours later after the governor’s proposal that I was out of a job,” says production coordinator Jax Baker, calling from the road on her way to New Orleans.

Read the full story at indiewire.com

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The spirit of Detroit gone with Hollywood

Potential departure of the film industry threatens to take with it more than simply a few salaries

BY CHRISTOPHER SALEM

THE SOUTH END - MARCH 31, 2011

          

The reasons for this psyche are simple: The magnificence of Hollywood is electric and bright.

And recently, Michigan had a similar glow. That breath of life that was thrust deep into the core of a mitten that badly needed it.
Detroit: Born Without Feelings?

Chrysler’s Super Bowl ad featuring rapper Eminem stirred something in many of us.

As the Detroit celebrity stepped out of the Chrysler 300 and extended his arm out to us all, as if he held each of our hands all the way into the FOX Theatre, you had butterflies.

Back in the real world, the shift in the mood of the state was incredible. People began to walk upright again, with a brand new hop in their step and with chins held high.

The spirit of Detroit was unleashed from within each of us, and everyone — for a second — just felt good again.

Read the full story at thesouthend.wayne.edu

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$5.3 million film credit gets OK

Tax break is first under new Snyder policy

BY MELISSA BURDEN AND JACLYN TROP

DETROIT NEWS - MARCH 28, 2011

 

The Michigan Film Office on Monday approved its first tax credit under Gov. Rick Snyder — a $5.26 million incentive for a comedy called "Five Year Engagement."

The Universal Pictures project anticipates spending $12.5 million in Michigan by shooting primarily in Ann Arbor. The incentive for "Five Year Engagement" — which is scheduled to star Jason Segel and Emily Blunt — uses more than 20 percent of the $25 million cap that Snyder has proposed placing on the state's film tax credits. There is no current limit.

The film is the first one approved under the state's new policy and guidelines released by the Michigan Film Office about a week ago.

The announcement was greeted with relief by at least one Michigan movie industry official.

The return of the film incentives "sends a message to Hollywood that the 'Gone Fishing' sign that's been up for five weeks has come down," said Ken Droz, who runs an entertainment marketing and consulting business in Southfield.

Read the full story at detnews.com

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With or without George Clooney, supporters of film tax credit to gather in Rochester Hills today

Michigan Production Studios will be the site of letter-writing rally, speakers and entertainment from 3-9 p.m.

BY KRISTIN BULL

ROCHESTER-ROCHESTER HILLS PATCH - MARCH 22, 2011

 

Supporters of the Michigan film tax incentive are expected to converge in Rochester Hills today to rally supporters and send an organized message to lawmakers.

George Clooney sightings may or may not be included.

"There really was no tactful way to invite him," said Kathi Moore, organizer of the six-hour rally planned at Michigan Production Studios on Rochester Road. She was speaking about Clooney, who is in Metro Detroit directing and acting in his political drama The Ides of March.

"Rumor is he is largely supportive of the film tax incentive, and I know that while he was filming on Thursday, a crew member was passing out information sheets about it. But we really have no real reason to think he'll show up."

Read the full story at rochester.patch.com

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Two GOP governors plan to spare film tax credits

BY JOSH BROWN

THE WASHINGTON TIMES - MARCH 20, 2011

 

In a time of major spending cuts, two Republican governors have said they’ll spare film-industry tax credits from the budget knife, unlike Republican Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan, whose proposal to ax them scared the film industry away from his state.

Republican governors Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania and John Kasich of Ohio both preserved the Film Tax Credit program in their recent state budgets, deciding instead to cut subsidies elsewhere, a move one tax expert says will not pay off.

“The biggest problem is [states are] using an extremely inefficient instrument … at a time when deficits are a problem,” said Robert Tannenwald, Senior Fellow for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “An industry that is so risky and geographically mobile — that is not the kind of industry that states should try to cultivate.”.

Read the full story at washingtontimes.com

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Politically Speaking: Rethink incentives for economic development 

BY JILL ALPER AND JOHN TRUSCOTT

DETROIT FREE PRESS - MARCH 20, 2011

 

JOHN TRUSCOTT: Gov. Rick Snyder has struck a firm tone with his budget. As a Republican, I like most of what he's trying to do to bring Michigan's spending in line with revenue. But his budget looks as if it could run into the proverbial buzz saw when it comes to economic development programs and incentives.

JILL ALPER: While I have serious questions about the fairness of the budget, let's focus on economic development. A Gallup study released in February shows that smart, strategic intervention by government causes growth. Michigan had the most improvement in the job market largely because of former Gov. Jennifer Granholm's efforts to diversify the economy with incentives in clean energy, film, homeland security, advanced manufacturing and tourism. Incentives are best when narrowly crafted, constantly measured for effectiveness, transparent in terms of administration, and, in a perfect world, supported by a bipartisan coalition.

Read the full story at freep.com

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Losing the Incentive: What Gov. Snyder’s proposed cuts mean for Michigan’s film industry

BY KAVI SHEKHAR PANDEY

MICHIGAN DAILY - MARCH 15, 2011

 

Excitement is all around us: students talking in class, passersby chatting on the Diag, status updates and tweets — “George Clooney is filming a movie on campus!!!” (give or take a few exclamation marks).

The movie is “The Ides of March,” which Clooney has been shooting in University locales this week. A-list stars Ryan Gosling, Evan Rachel Wood, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei and Paul Giamatti will be alongside Clooney’s own supernova star wattage.

For much of the University’s student body, it’s a familiar thrill. Thanks to the Michigan Film Tax Incentives passed in 2008, the campus was buzzing as Clive Owen, Adam Brody, Drew Barrymore, Hilary Swank and more of Hollywood’s finest shot movies in and around Ann Arbor over the past few years.

Read the full story at michigandaily.com

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Fight over incentives for films goes online

 

"We made a statement last night, a big statement," Droz said on Friday. "(We put a) big, big shot of positivity and energy back into the industry after last week's setback. It was a huge setback. This isn't over. We've got a voice."

BY MELISSA BURDEN

DETROIT NEWS

 

Film industry supporters are using social media to raise their numbers and their voices in a mounting battle against state legislators and the governor to protect Michigan's film tax incentives.

In the nine days since Gov. Rick Snyder outlined his budget proposal and said he wants to cut the now-uncapped incentives to $25 million annually in fiscal years 2012 and 2013, film industry proponents have taken to Facebook pages, Twitter, YouTube and websites to vent their anger and frustration, and to suggest ways people can contact their legislators to complain.

Read the full story at DetNews.com

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Michigan movie industry gears up for a film tax credit fight

 

A rally is being planned at the state Capitol next month, and supporters are already wearing T-shirts that say, "Film credits are working and so am I." Social networking campaigns to save the incentives have already attracted thousands of people.

BY KATHERINE YUNG

DETROIT FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

 

They came by the hundreds, determined to save their jobs, preserve their businesses and rescue an industry that has generated excitement and hope in a state sorely in need of both.

Actors, set designers, grips, screenwriters, casting agents and hundreds of small-business owners packed the Laurel Manor Banquet and Conference Center in Livonia on Thursday evening in a call to action the likes of which the state has never seen.

Read the full story at Freep.com

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New Ernst & Young Report Shows Positive ROI from Michigan's Fast Growing Film and Television Industry

 

"This fast growing new industry had already created 3,860 full time equivalent jobs for Michigan residents in 2010, at an average salary of $53,700- per year, and generated an estimated impact on statewide sales of $503 million in 2010 alone… or $5.94 per dollar of net credit cost.”

 

(Detroit, February 21, 2011) A new research study conducted by respected international accounting firm Ernst & Young- commissioned by the Convention & Visitors Bureaus for metro Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Traverse City- already shows a positive Return on Investment (ROI) from Michigan’s film production tax credit, despite the fact that the program has been in place for less than three full years.

Click link to download the full study as PDF file.

Click here to read the Michigan Film Incentive Study

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"The sound you hear today is of people packing and leaving the state."

 

Jeff Daniels, describing the potential impact of Snyder's budget proposal, which would eliminate the film tax credit as we now know it.

By JULIE HINDS

Detroit Free Press Movie Writer

 

Jeff Daniels was outspoken Thursday in his disappointment with Gov. Rick Snyder's plans for the future of the Michigan film incentives. Daniels said Snyder told him privately that he didn't want to eliminate the incentives and discussed reductions in the current rate, which is up to 42%, and asked him what affect reductions would have.

"It's really disheartening," Daniels said of Snyder's budget plan. "It's not what he told me privately, so to be honest, I guess he's a politician after all. Say one thing, do another."

Read the full story at Freep.com

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A view from a Michigander in L.A., film incentives work

 

“All my screenplay ideas are set in Detroit or Michigan. I'm even opening a Coney Island on Sunset Boulevard in L.A. That’s what a Detroit freak I am.”

BY MIKE BINDER

DETROIT FREE PRESS GUEST WRITER

 

The only goal was to get the turnstiles moving in the other direction. From the very beginning, when Mitch Albom, Jeff Daniels and I among others started talking to former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, and other Michigan lawmakers about a Michigan film incentive, that was the only goal for us.

Read the full story at Freep.com

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Film industry plans rally opposing Michigan incentive cuts

 

“The plan is to share with the legislators the impact the industry is having on the state, to show that it is beneficial”

By NATHAN SKID

Crain’s Detroit Business

 

Michigan Film First, a coalition of leaders in Michigan’s film and television industry, are planning a rally at 7 p.m. March 3 at the Troy Marriott to urge saving Michigan’s film credits from proposed state budget cuts.

Read the full story at Crain’s Detroit.com

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Raise your voice against cutting Michigan's film credits

 

“We made a commitment for the film incentives to last at least until 2105. We told people who were laid off and crushed by the recession, go “reinvent yourself.” Start your own business, and they did.”

By NANCY SKINNER

DETROIT FREE PRESS GUEST WRITER

 

Just when Detroiters and all Michiganders were starting to feel so good again following the national phenomenon of the Chrysler Super Bowl ad and “Detroit 1-8-7” mania, we got punched in the gut by Gov. Rick Snyder.

Read the full story at freep.com

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Michigan Wants to Cut Film-Industry Credits

 

"We are eliminating all those credits," Mr. Snyder told the legislature Thursday. "Let's stop picking winners and losers. Let's stop picking complexity and let free enterprise work."

By KATE LINEBAUGH

Wall Street Journal

 

The credits are about to roll on Michigan's Hollywood adventure. In his first budget, issued Thursday, Republican Gov. Rick Snyder proposed eliminating film-industry tax credits, which helped attract television programs like ABC's cop show "Detroit 1-8-7" and movies like "Transformers 3" and "Cedar Rapids." In its place, he proposed a $25 million grant to the state's strategic fund, which promotes economic development and job creation.

Read the full story at wsj.com

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Fight the smackdown of film biz's success

 

Unless state legislators show a spirit that our numbers-only governor does not, the movie and TV business is dead in Michigan.

By MITCH ALBOM

Detroit Free Press Columnist

 

We look like fools. We built an industry, created jobs, saw buildings rise. And in a single moment, Rick Snyder slashed its head off. Unless state legislators show a spirit that our numbers-only governor does not, the movie and TV business is dead in Michigan.

Read the full story at freep.com

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Gov. Rick Snyder's overhaul of Michigan's budget is ambitious, but controversial

 

Seven weeks into his new job, Snyder -- who had sky-high approval ratings in polls a month ago -- suddenly faces sharp criticism from people who called his proposals unfair and even cruel.

By CHRIS CHRISTOFF

Detroit Free Press Lansing Bureau Chief

Seven weeks into his new job, Snyder -- who had sky-high approval ratings in polls a month ago -- suddenly faces sharp criticism from people who called his proposals unfair and even cruel.

Read the full story at Freep.com