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Press & Guide
September 21, 2008
O'Reilly supports film initiative
Film officials to be given tour of city by mayor
By Jason Carmel Davis, Press & Guide Newspapers
Photo by Millard Berry: "Demoted" co-star Michael Vartan leads a
demonstration against his fictional employer on
Thursday as cameras capture the action from
several locations. Dozens of actors, extras,
electricians, photographers and caterers filled a
parking lot on Auto Club Drive.
DEARBORN - Dearborn Mayor Jack O'Reilly spent some time on the backlots of movie studios
during his youth.
He said he served as a gaffer (responsible for lighting) and grip (lighting and rigging).
"I worked on a few different projects in California when I was younger," O'Reilly said. "It's a
very interesting industry."
O'Reilly hopes to bring that industry to the city of Dearborn and is taking several steps to do so.
He said he has met with the new chair and CEO of Ford Motor Land Development, Phil Horlock,
to discuss the prospects of using some of the company's parcels and converting them into movie
studios or spots where scenes can be filmed.
O'Reilly added that sometime in the near future, representatives from the Michigan Film Office
may visit the city to see what it has to offer as far as being a destination for filmmakers.
Actors and directors are already shooting in the area, though, as films either directed by or
starring actors such as Drew Barrymore, Clint Eastwood and Cuba Gooding Jr. have been shot in
the area. Another film, titled "Demoted," shot scenes at Auto Club Drive earlier this week,
O'Reilly said.
"I think we've got all the necessary tools to be a player in the film industry," O'Reilly said.
"We've got office space, different corporations and other offerings that make Dearborn very
attractive, and with the filmings that have already taken place in the area, people obviously see
what we have to offer."
O'Reilly added that the city's proximity to Detroit Metropolitan Airport, along with the city's
offering of hotels and other amenities.
The city also offers several services that could be attractive to filmmakers, such as caterers,
O'Reilly said, adding that it takes more than actors and directors to produce a film.
Dearborn college assisting those interested in getting in film industry
To aid interested parties in obtaining those "outside" jobs, Henry Ford Community College
(HFCC) has established a Basic Film Set training course, which begins Monday (see Sept. 17
issue of the Press & Guide for details). This course will help students prepare for entry-level
employment in the film and television industry in the metropolitan Detroit area. The course will
take place at HFCC's M-TEC center, located at 3601 Schaefer in Dearborn.
In the first week, students are introduced to the basics of film production, including gaining an
understanding of the culture, vocabulary, and the tools necessary to begin their careers in film
production.
The second week is hands-on experience, where students participate in the actual filmmaking
process from scripting through editing. The course ends with a career day that allows students
interact with other industry professionals, work on their resumes one-on-one with the instructors
and walk away with strategies to gain industry employment.
A new state tax incentive for the film industry has brought Hollywood to Michigan in droves.
The Michigan industry is working diligently to accommodate the needs of film makers,
according to Linda West, HFCC director of workforce development.
Tax credit encourages filming in Michigan
The State of Michigan Film Incentive Public Acts of 2008 is considered by many to be the
richest film tax incentive package in the country. The package includes a rebate of up to 40-
percent on all Michigan-based production expenditures, which increases to 42 percent if
production activity occurs in Michigan's core communities.
The incentive to film and produce in Michigan also includes a low-interest loan program to
support productions ranging from $500,000 to $15 million in value; a 25-percent infrastructure
tax credit for producers seeking to build a permanent studio or production facility, provided
minimum investments of $100,000 and $250,000 are made in calendar years 2008 and 2009
respectively and a workforce development tax credit for producers who staff their projects with
Michigan residents amounting to 50 percent of qualified job training expenses.
Tax credit applications must include estimated Michigan expenditures, Michigan production
days, Michigan hires, and more. Credits cover Michigan expenditures, including labor and crew
expenses.
The Michigan Film Office emphasizes that producers who want to take advantage of the
Michigan tax incentives must have an agreement approved and signed by the film office and the
Michigan Department of Treasury before incurring any eligible production expenses.
Experts continue to state the need for Michigan to diversify its economy as one means of
climbing out of its current economic hole. The laws can always be repealed if it becomes clear
that they are doing more harm than good.
"I see the incentive as being a wonderful opportunity to aid the state," O'Reilly said. "We
wouldn't be trying to supplant Hollywood or anything like that, though."
Filmmakers flocking to state
There was a time, O'Reilly said, when the state would only get two applications from prospective
movie makers.
"I talked with the film office recently and they had 87 applications," O'Reilly said. "Sure, the tax
incentive is motivating some of them, but it's a good economic opportunity for many people
from the state, as well.
"We want this to work out because it would give our state a good reputation and I would like for
Dearborn to be a player."
© 2008 WelcomeHomeDearborn.com
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