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Adam Ford
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http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080529/NEWS06/805290368/1008
Movie industry rebates too rich?
Key lawmakers: '09 payout may hit $100 million
BY CHRIS CHRISTOFF • FREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU CHIEF • May 29, 2008
LANSING -- Michigan's new most-generous-in-the-nation financial lures for filmmakers need a second look, say some key lawmakers.
State economists predict Michigan will pay out more than $100 million to filmmakers next year under the package of tax breaks and cash credits passed earlier this year.
Some lawmakers fear that's too much to divert from pressing needs for education, health care or other state programs.
"I think we should put some bounds on it," said House Appropriations Committee Chairman George Cushingberry Jr., D-Detroit. He would limit the credit to between $10 million and $50 million a year because anything more strains the state budget.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, said he also would consider limits on state payouts for movie projects because of their high cost.
"No one ever anticipated the kind of numbers we're seeing now," Bishop said.
The state pays producers a 42% rebate on the production costs of movies, TV shows and video games filmed in Michigan. A film that costs $10 million to make would receive a $4-million rebate.
But proponents of the so-called movie credit say it's too early to judge the cost and benefits, and that it already is enticing Hollywood elite such as Clint Eastwood, who will direct and star in the movie "Gran Torino," to be filmed this year.
So far, the incentives have drawn 44 applicants, of which 21 have been approved for the production rebate by the state Treasury Department, said Janet Lockwood, head of the Michigan Film Office, the state's clearinghouse and promoter for film productions.
Lockwood has said that after New Mexico approved similar incentives, its film industry grew from $1.5 million to $476 million, including a $100-million studio that employs up to 2,000 people.
Rep. Andy Meisner, D-Ferndale, who led the push for a big Michigan film credit, said it was meant to be generous. He said the film credit costs the state less than many other tax incentives Michigan uses to entice new businesses.
"The goal was to create enormous interest, swing for the fences," Meisner said Wednesday. "This was an opportunity to diversify in a very quick way. I understand the concerns, but I'm a little surprised there isn't more celebration."
Meisner questioned estimates by state economists that the film credit will top $100 million. He said the long-term goal is to attract people who will move to Michigan to work full-time on film crews.
Among those rooting for Michigan is Keith Mitchell, 40, a Hollywood screenwriter who grew up in Southgate and played football for the University of Michigan.
Mitchell said lawmakers should resist reducing the film credit. He likened it to the costs of starting a new business until it turns a profit.
The Michigan film credit has caused a stir in Hollywood, he said. The bigger concern, he said, is that the state is not well equipped to handle the flood of production headed its way.
Lockwood said her office has added five people and that things have gone smoothly.
"We haven't had any complaints," she said.
Mitchell, who said he vacations in Michigan each summer, said it has all the natural and urban settings moviemakers could want.
He said he's finished writing a movie sequel, "Cheaper by the Dozen 3," a story that takes place in upstate New York.
"The producer asked me, 'Are there places in Michigan that look like upstate New York?' " Mitchell said. "I said, 'Yeah, there's a million of them.' "
Mitchell said the key to creating a Michigan film industry is having thousands of full-time production people.
"You go to Vancouver, you can get the people who worked on 'Titanic' to work on your little $5-million movie," he said. "You go to Michigan, you're going to get the guy who shot the last Ford commercial."
For more information on movie production, go to the Michigan Film Office Web site: www.hal.state.mi.us/filmoffice/ |
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Thu May 29, 2008 9:43 am |
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Demeralda
F L I N T O I D
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| As long as I get to be an extra! |
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I'm no model lady. A model's just an imitation of the real thing. - Mae West |
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Thu May 29, 2008 9:59 am |
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twotap
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quote:
extra!
An extra what???  |
_________________
"If you like your current healthcare you can keep it, Period"!!
Barack Hussein Obama--- multiple times. |
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Thu May 29, 2008 10:11 am |
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Ted Jankowski
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quote:
The state pays producers a 42% rebate on the production costs of movies, TV shows and video games filmed in Michigan. A film that costs $10 million to make would receive a $4-million rebate.
If I'm reading this correctly. The State is going to pay them to make movies?
It's one thing to hand out tax breaks. Where you don't have to pay something. It's another thing to take our tax dollars and pay them to come here.
Are the Elitists NUTS! |
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Thu May 29, 2008 10:50 am |
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twotap
F L I N T O I D
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| What ever they come up with for a movie they better do better than that last filmed in flint box office dud . |
_________________
"If you like your current healthcare you can keep it, Period"!!
Barack Hussein Obama--- multiple times. |
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Thu May 29, 2008 11:08 am |
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Public D
F L I N T O I D
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Thu May 29, 2008 11:12 am |
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squash
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Wow I just got censored for the first time. Interesting.
You guys love to label people. Who are the elitists you are referring to? The film makers? The Governor? Maybe, just maybe the governor and other responsible parties put this plan into action because they believe it is in the best interests of the state. Not because she is a pinko socialist or a nutsy elitist snob. I don't know if this will be good for MI and neither do you. I'm happy to read your opinion, but you seem to think it won't work because Jennifer Granholm has cooties. |
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Thu May 29, 2008 11:14 am |
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twotap
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quote:
Jennifer Granholm has cooties.
SHE DOES 
Crab lice can be treated with Permethrin 1% cream rinse and pyrethrins can be used for this purpose and are the drugs of choice for pregnant or lactating women. These agents should be applied to the affected areas and washed off after 10 minutes. Shaving off or grooming any hair in the affected areas with a fine-toothed comb is necessary to ensure full removal of the dead lice and / or nits, though it does not suffice as treatment on its own. Resistance of pubic lice to pyrethroids must be if at all very rare. A second treatment after 10 days is recommended. Pubic lice on the eyelashes can be treated with a permethrin formulation by applying the solution to the infested hair with an applicator. It is dangerous to remove lice or eggs in the eyelashes by plucking or cutting the hairs. |
_________________
"If you like your current healthcare you can keep it, Period"!!
Barack Hussein Obama--- multiple times. |
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Thu May 29, 2008 11:52 am |
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Demeralda
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I actually do think it's a great idea. I've read a lot about what it's done for areas of New Mexico -- there's like an entire second Hollywood that's cropped up there.
And moviemakers/actors/cinematographers, et al, should be pretty happy about union membership in the state. |
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I'm no model lady. A model's just an imitation of the real thing. - Mae West |
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Thu May 29, 2008 12:07 pm |
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Adam Ford
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quote:
Demeralda schreef:
As long as I get to be an extra!
I actually do think it's a great idea. I've read a lot about what it's done for areas of New Mexico -- there's like an entire second Hollywood that's cropped up there.
And moviemakers/actors/cinematographers, et al, should be pretty happy about union membership in the state.
Why be an extra when you could be the star?
If you give this time the por* and prostitution industry may pick up on this and we may start subsidizing prostitution in the name of creating porno flicks. Perhaps then some of the socialist Repulicans that voted for the trash legislation will realize how stupid this is.
I'm not bashing the por* industry I just don't think Michigan residents should have to subsidize that or any other industry.
In addition although I bash socialists and communists I'm not convinced Karl Marx or Hugo Chavez would do something this stupid. Hugo Chavez is even smart enough to realize how stupid some of our programs are.
Last edited by Adam Ford on Thu May 29, 2008 2:06 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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Thu May 29, 2008 12:34 pm |
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Demeralda
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Is there some reason the word sex doesn't come up when you put it in your post?
Or is it the word porn?
I don't think that porn really has high production costs, Adam  Think about it. Most is done on videotape, and surely you've noticed the striking lack of editing and special effects.
Come on, seriously. You may not like the idea, but don't attach a scare tactic to it.
And besides, what's scary about porn movies? They serve a valuable purpose. I'd like the chance to direct one -- it would be the best porn movie EVER MADE. |
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I'm no model lady. A model's just an imitation of the real thing. - Mae West |
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Thu May 29, 2008 1:05 pm |
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Ryan Eashoo
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This is a great and will help the struggling Michigan economy! The financial impact that Flint received was huge. It was estimated it pumped over $5 million dollars into Flint, when they shot Semi Pro here.
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Flint Michigan Resident, Tax Payer, Flint Nutt - Local REALTOR - Activist. www.FlintTown.com |
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Thu May 29, 2008 7:28 pm |
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Adam Ford
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I don't think economic discrimination is the way to go for job creation. The results speak for themselves. Michigan has always been very discriminatory in regards to it's business practices and who it chooses to subsidize. Who knows how many jobs and businesses would still be here if they weren't forced to support the heavy subsidies for the "new jobs" and "promising insdustries". A company that only comes here so the state will pay it to creat jobs will move on to the next state when we are forced to cut our heavy subsidies.
With the U.S. economy heading into a recession movie sales should also go down. |
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Fri May 30, 2008 9:24 am |
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FlintConservative
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First...I thought corporate welfare was bad?
Second...I'd rather see a rebate based on wages paid instead of money spent.
Perhaps if the Governor had given 42% of wages back to employers we might still have some. |
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Fri May 30, 2008 9:28 am |
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Ted Jankowski
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The Elitist's I'm referring to our the elected officials that believe they know better how to spend our money.
The State is going to spend 4 million to to get 6 million. That doesn't make sense to me. It would be one thing to have at least made 6 million off the 10 million in taxes and give back to them their taxes? But, to give them our Tax dollars is another thing. I'd rather pay less in taxes than to pay a company to come in.
However, one thing to remmember. This was printed in the Newspaper. Do we really know how this works.
But the way they presented it. I think they are nuts! |
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Fri May 30, 2008 9:50 am |
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