Courtney Hewett
make up artist
make up artist
| Michigan productions spent $65.4 million in 2008. • $25.1 million was spent on direct wages and salary In total, film production expenditures generated $93.8 million in state output in 2008. --------------------------------- Expected growth: 187 percent from 2008 to 2012 •Projected direct production expenditures will climb to $187.7 million --------------------------------- Michigan film will likely generate tourism impacts •locations in Michigan that have generated tourism and other indirect benefits from film production. --------------------------------- Film, Studio, Soundstage, Animation Studio investments of more than $286 million announced in 2009 •Unity Studios, Allen Park investing $146 million --------------------------------- MICHIGAN FILM OFFICE – GENERAL TALKING POINTS - Promote the incentives!Written by mpaWednesday, 18 February 2009
Of 35 states with incentives, Michigan has the most generous. Top of the 14 states with what are considered 'meaningful' incentives bills. Five states bills include commericals.
•ACTUAL PRODUCTION EXPENDITURES AND PROJECTED 2009 REBATES: No. of applications approved: 69 No. of films currently shooting: 4 No. of projects wrapped: 27 Total production expenditures: $148 million Approximate rebate amount: $40 million
•ANCILLARY ACTIVITY FROM FILM PRODUCTION No. of Infrastructure applications submitted: 4 Projected expenditures of infrastructure projects: $9.1 million Projected no. of employees: 35-40 min. Plus, over one dozen additional projects throughout the state are now in the works, worth well over $400 hundred million.
•FILM SCHOOL AND WORK FORCE TRAINING Examples of new schools opened or expanded since incentives passed: Etc. (Education & Training Connection) No. of training sessions scheduled thru end of year: 7 No. of students enrolled and/or projected thru 12/31/08: 70*
Henry Ford Community College Dearborn, MI No. of students in first term: 50* * Recipients of state’s No Worker Left Behind funding
Malota’s Martial Arts Studio/Stunt School No. of students since July: 40 No. of resumes received: 150 No. of graduates already working on films: 9
Motion Picture Institute Troy, MI Increase in student enrollment: 32% over 2007-08 Revenue increase: $170,000 over 2007-08 No. of students from out-of-state: 10 Is already seeking a new facility to accommodate enrollment surge, needing at least 12,000 sq. ft., an increase of 20%.
Michigan Production Alliance Novi, MI Increase in membership: 66% since March 31 2008 Revenue Increase: 40% since March 31 2008 Revised quarterly P.A. Boot camps to monthly Higher attendance at meetings and increase in general inquiries.
•MISCONCEPTIONS: Rebate recipients are not Hollywood executives or stars but your neighbor, friend or relative – working in a restaurant, sewing costumes, college graduates, laid off auto workers, teamsters and others. * Crew members are not just employees, but small business owners, as many electricians, grips, caterers, location scouts, etc. are creating their own LLCs. - Other States are Content – New Mexico and Louisiana are currently reaping the benefits of their incentives with an expanding workforce numbering in the thousands, and annual combined production expenditures of nearly $1 billion. The majority of their public and politicos realized the potential negative repercussions if any tinkering or reductions occurred. - Local police and fire personnel utilized ARE NOT CHARGED to local taxpayers, as some have claimed (Sen. Cassis), but instead are REIMBURSED by the individual film productions. - Funding for film rebates come from the state’s general fund, and in no way affect budgets for public education, schools, colleges or universities. - “Not long term sustainable jobs”- Sen. Cassis. This is not true, as New Mexico and Louisiana continue to have thriving industries after Michigan leapfrogged them in rebate percentage. Once infrastructure and a substantial, capable work force are created, the industry becomes self-sustaining, even with better rebates elsewhere.
•OTHER RELEVANTS POINTS: - Is Michigan good on its word? A policy reversal, or rebate cap only seven months into a nationally known program could only be described as schizophrenic. Inviting a billion dollar industry one day, and reversing or staggering it six months later sends a message of confusion not just to Hollywood, but ALL INDUSTRIES, seriously compromising the state’s credibility, and reliability as a business partner. Stemming the youth migration and brain drain. The Michigan Film Office has received first hand accounts of dozens of college/high school graduates seeking employment in Michigan first, before considering any move out of state. * Six stunt performers are already in the process of moving back to Michigan from L.A. since the incentives passed, per stunt coordinator Peter Malota. “What else ya got?” - Supporters of the bill – regular citizens, not just those in the industry – ask every day, ‘what else is there?” They’re tired of the endless parade of bad news of job losses that fills the front page or 6 o’clock news every day. This is the only industry that can mobilize and build immediately, and continue gaining strength.
•ENDORSEMENTS thus far: Livonia Chamber of Commerce |
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