film industry

Making one film with 40 directors in 23 countries

Stateside Staff — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:42:55 +0000

When you think of filmmaking, chances are pretty good that you think of a producer, a director and a cast chosen by that director.

But there are a couple of filmmakers in Detroit who are blowing up that traditional model of making films, and in its place have come up with something completely different.

How about 40 directors for one film? And they're spread across 23 countries on five continents?

Marty Shea is one of the Detroit-based filmmakers doing this "collaborative" movie under the name of "CollabFeature."

He joined us today.

Listen to the full interview above.

Michigan's film incentives are on the chopping block

The Associated Press — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:30:53 +0000

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Republican-led state House is looking to do away with tax incentives that lure moviemakers to Michigan so the money instead goes toward road maintenance.

The House on Tuesday stripped $25 million in tax credits it planned to set aside for the film industry.

The funding would go to the state and local governments for road repairs.

The House also cut $25 million from an economic-development fund and allocated it for roads.

The full House is expected to vote on its budget Wednesday, setting the stage for negotiations with the Senate and Gov. Rick Snyder next month.

So far the GOP-controlled Senate and governor are looking to designate at least $25 million in incentives for Hollywood - half the amount in the current budget.

Stateside: What film tax credit cuts mean for Michigan filmmakers

Stateside Staff — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:13:37 +0000

The following is asummary of a previously recorded interview. To hear the complete segment, click the audio above.

Governor Snyder's proposal to cut the state's film tax credits from $50 million to $25 million has left the Michigan filmmaking community wondering if they can keep their heads above water.

The divisive proposal has some lawmakers pledging to fight to maintain the state's current tax credits while others stand by the Governor's and say the incentive takes money away from "must-have" programs such as public safety and education.

Michael Zervos of Northville, a Michigan filmmaker, is the head of Mother and Midwife Pictures, and is currently in pre-production for his film "Papou," which employs Michigan actors and will be filmed in Michigan.

Michigan Radio's Cynthia Canty spoke with Zervos about his concerns with Governor Snyder's proposal.

There are two ways you can podcast "Stateside with Cynthia Canty"

Stateside for Wednesday, February 20th, 2013

Stateside Staff — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:13:56 +0000

Today on Stateside, Michiganders, you have spoken.

A new report is out today about how you think we can move the economy forward.

We'll find out more on today's show, and we'll speak to a former University President who says universities themselves might be contributing to some of the economic crunch they're facing.

But in the first part of our show, we turn to the question of just how much support the state of Michigan should give to the film industry and filmmakers.

Governor Snyder's recent budget proposal contained $25 million in tax credits for film makers. That's a 50 percent cut from the present film credit cap of $50 million, and some lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, a fellow Republican, say that is one bad plan that he says will drive the film industry out of Michigan.

Stateside: Supporting the film industry in Michigan

Stateside Staff — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:30:52 +0000

How much support should the state of Michigan give to the film industry and filmmakers?

Governor Snyder's recent budget proposal contained $25-million in tax credits for film makers.

That's a 50 percent cut from the present film credit cap of $50 million.

Some lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, a fellow Republican, say that is one bad plan.

He says it will drive the film industry out of Michigan.

Take a listen to our interview with the Director of the Michigan Film Office, Margaret O'Riley, above.

State Senate leader looks to expand Michigan's film tax credits

Jake Neher — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:23:26 +0000

The state Senate’s top Republican says he’ll once again try to ward off big cuts to Michigan’s film industry credits.

For the second year in a row, Governor Rick Snyder is proposing a budget that would cap the state’s film incentives at $25 million for the year.

And for the second year in a row, Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville says he’ll fight to give the industry at least twice that.

“To that particular industry and to the mostly blue collar workers that benefit from that in Michigan, it would be devastating to them,” says Richardville.

Michigan's film industry reels at Snyder's budget proposal

The Associated Press — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 16:20:00 +0000

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan film producers and Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville say they will lobby to maintain the state's $50 million film credits cap.

Gov. Snyder is calling for a $25 million dollar cap in film incentives in the budget he has proposed. The amount is the same he proposed last year, but lawmakers raised the cap to $50 million during budget negotiations.

Arab museum holds 8th annual film fest

Associated Press and Associated Press — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 20:58:02 +0000

An annual festival of movies from the Middle East is screening films rarely seen in the United States.

The Arab American National Museum in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn is hosting the 2013 festival that runs from Jan 24-26.

Stateside: Detroit firefighters documented in "BURN"

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:35:18 +0000

Firefighter Walter Harris was killed in 2008 while attempting to put out a blazing abandoned building.

The headlines surrounding Harris’s death caught the attention of Tom Putnam and Brenna Sanchez.

Both filmmakers agreed a story deserved to be told about Harris and other Detroit firefighters.

“Tom and I knew there was a story here that hadn’t been told about firefighters,” said Sanchez.

The story manifested into the new film, "BURN."

Stateside: A State with Coming Days of Fame

Stateside Staff — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:12:50 +0000

Michigan’s days of filling films’ frames are far from over. Carrie Jones, executive director of the Michigan Film Office, foresees a steady increase in the state’s film production.

Cyndy spoke with Jones in what was a continuation of Stateside’s look at Michigan’s film industry.

Once the top film incentive program in the country, Michigan now ranks within the top 10.

With a budget increase to $58 million for the 2013 fiscal year, Michigan expects to enjoy an increase in film production.

Stateside: Clearing the tumbleweeds out of Michigan's film studios

Stateside Staff — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 18:15:24 +0000

Not long ago stars like Mila Kunis, Ryan Gosling and Philip Seymour Hoffman were spotted in Michigan. For a brief moment the streets of Ann Arbor resembled those of New York or Los Angeles.

That was when Michigan offered the nation’s best subsidies for film and television production.

But to Governor Rick Snyder, these generous production tax incentives were not viable for our struggling state.

The incentives program was given a $25-milion dollar cap for the 2012 fiscal year.

Michigan’s tidal wave of film and TV production has slowed to a trickle.

Stateside: Film festival shines spotlight on Detroit

Mercedes Mejia — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 00:08:54 +0000

People are making a lot of movies about Detroit these days. More than 60 of those films will be screened this weekend at an outdoor film festival in Detroit's Perrien Park.

Organizers hope to spark conversation about how Detroit is seen by Michiganders, and the rest of the world.

25 hours, 15 minutes and 45 seconds of film, documentaries and music videos - all about Detroit.

“It’s kind of wild how many [films] have been made in the last 3 or 4 years...I wasn’t aware it was on this scale,” said filmmaker Nicole Macdonald.

Commentary: Film Tax Credits

Jack Lessenberry — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:55:44 +0000

Well, we are heading into the holiday weekend, and if the weather holds up, many of us will be barbecuing or going out on the water. But some of us will be going to the movies.

And your odds of seeing a major motion picture made in Michigan are a lot smaller than they were a few years ago.

Michigan Theater to host new, international film fest

Jennifer Guerra — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:39:15 +0000

The Ann Arbor Film Festival wrapped up less than a month ago…they’ve barely packed up their film reels. And already the Michigan Theater is prepping for yet another festival to open next month called Cinetopia.

This new, international festival will feature more traditional narrative film and documentaries, rather than the experimental films that dominate the Ann Arbor Film Fest.

Artpod: Film and fashion in Michigan

Jennifer Guerra — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:33:37 +0000

Lots of news packed into this week's Artpod!

We learn about Michigan's burgeoning garment industry, and we get an update on how one of the state's biggest movie studios is doing (hint: not too well.) Plus, we talk with the director of the new documentary, After the Factory.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/mrartpod/Artpod_020212.mp3