Making Movies in Macomb

 

In December, the Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development (MCPED) hosted an event especially designed to help local governments and institutions take advantage of the Michigan Film Incentive approved by State Legislature in April, 2008.

The incentive, which offers the most nations’ most generous advantages to choosing Michigan for filming and producing big-screen movies and television programs, has captured the attention and interest of movie-makers on a global basis.

Basically, it provides up a 40 percent “film production credit” (a refundable tax credit against expenses incurred while producing a movie or other media entertainment project within the State.   The credit increases to 42 percent when activities occur in one of Michigan designated “Core Communities” which includes Center Line, Eastpointe, Mount Clemens and Warren.  The legislation also provides an infrastructure tax credit program and a workforce development tax credit that incentive productions that use existing Michigan crew members in elevated positions. 

Since April, more than 27 films have shot in Michigan and have spent an estimated $167 million dollars in Michigan.  Currently, the State has approved more than 70 scripts for 2009.

More than 70 individuals attended “Making Movies in Macomb” held at the Macomb Intermediate School District.  Each left with a greater understanding of how the film industry operates and how to be positioned as “film friendly” as a means of reaping the economic rewards the film industry holds for Michigan. 

Guest speakers included:

• Anthony Wenson, COO of the Michigan Film Office

• Mark Adler of Michigan Production Alliance

• local entrepreneurs Tom Jacob and David Rumble who work for the industry as location scouts and site managers

• Mayor Mary Ann Zielinski of Center Line spoke of her experiences while Clint Eastwood was in town to shoot scenes from the highly-acclaimed Gran Torino

• Captain Steve Stanbury of Shelby Township talked about his community’s response when the yet-to-be released Youth in Revolt was shot in town.

• Mayor Bryan Barnett of Rochester Hills also spoke to the crowd about his community’s decision to develop a dedicated Web site to attract film productions.

• Xenia Castillo-Hunter of Film Detroit (an initiative of the Metro Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau) provided an overview of the agency’s national efforts to attract productions to southeast Michigan. 

 

Macomb County is also undertaking an effort to be film friendly.   MCPED is currently developing www.FilmMacomb.org, a Web site that will provide comprehensive information about films already shot in Macomb, a library of possible location photographs ranging from urban to rural as well as a listing of other local resources in place to support productions.  Look for the new site to be launched sometime later this month.

Macomb is an active participant with the Film Detroit Action Committee (FDAC), a group facilitated by the Detroit Metro Visitors and Convention Bureau with membership representing communities and institutions from throughout the region.  Collectively, this group is working to improve both the physical and human infrastructure needs of the film industry.

Helping business serve the industry
Local business has benefited from the infusion of projects.  Troy’s Somerset Inn was seriously considering a reduction in staff until crew from Red & Blue Marbles, Gran Torino, and Hung came to town.  Combined, these productions facilitated the use of 7,000 room nights through 2008 creating revenues of more than $1 million in room and incidental revenues.  Operating closer to capacity, Somerset hired 20 new employees and increased its purchasing expenditures by 20 percent.

In Macomb County, S & R Event Rental of Harrison Township saw a business increase of more than 1000 percent when it began to take on more movie clients.  First exposed to the business through its servicing of the film 8 Mile, 2008 projects included Demoted, Butterfly Effect 3, Gifted Hands, Miss January, Gran Torino and Youth in Revolt. 

According to S & R co-owner Rodney Ouellette, “If the general public knew the amount of money a film crew spends, they would understand what the movie industry bring to the local economy, and how good this legislation is.  The average feature spends about $1.25 million a week.  It has transformed my business from seasonal in nature to one that is year-round.”

It is estimated that as much as 80 percent of film-related activity currently occurring in the State is happening here in southeast Michigan. 

Making movies = new jobs?
Filming just one scene involves dozens – sometimes hundreds - of employees who work behind the camera to make the camera-grabbing actors shine and the strategically placed extras realistic.   The work of each craftsperson is highly skilled and executed with precise attention to a multiplicity of factors that must be aligned to create the magic.

Assembling crews with skilled and experienced technicians related to lighting, grip, camera, script supervision and others is critical for growing jobs in Michigan.  Macomb Community College is introducing a new educational program designed to provide students with the basics needed to be employed within the industry.  “Filmmaking Industry Training” fundamental will be offered in two 60-hour sessions and will cover basics including introduction to filmmaking, film set etiquette, production assistant essentials, cinematography, resume building and more.

Valerie Corbett, Program Coordinator, for the college says, “There is tremendous interest in our program.  More than 80 individuals turned out for the Open House we held on January 14 to learn more about the program, meet our instructors and get registered for the program.  “We are developing new courses set to begin for our Spring 2009 semester that will offer more specific instruction in areas such as grip and lighting, production accounting, script supervisor, hair and make-up and set design.” 

The pre-requisite for the more advanced classes will be the fundamentals course. 

Local effort, local impact
There is something that everyone can do to support the growth of the film industry in Michigan:  Go see movies that were filmed here!

Gran Torino opened in limited theatres in New York, California and Michigan on December 25.  In Macomb, MJR Marketplace in Sterling Heights was the only theatre featuring the iconic Eastwood in what is rumored to be his last starring role.   

Dennis Redmere, Vice President of Operations, confirmed that Gran Torino was the top grossing picture over the holidays even beating out national box-office leader Marley.  “The place was packed with people who were there not only to see a Clint Eastwood movie but also to check out how much scenery they might recognize.”  He also added, “I think this movie will definitely be a ‘word-of-mouth’ hit – people are choosing it because friends are highly recommending it.”  

What does it matter?  On an average day, MJR has 100-125 people on the job to sell tickets, run projectors and keep the corn popping.  So, seeing a movie that was filmed locally not only helps to send a message to “Hollywood” that Michigander's will purchase tickets to movies with a local connection but is also helping to keep local people employed in the process. 

Watch for the release of other films shot in Michigan in 2008 during the coming months: 

Alls’ Faire in Love
Butterfly Effect
Gifted Hands
Miss January
Offspring
Prayers for Bobby
Red and Blue Marbles
Street Boss
The Job
The Steam Experiment
Tug
Whip It
Youth in Revolt