In the News
Michigan lands in top 10 for film production Fewer films in Michigan after incentive cap |
wzzm13.com West Michigan movie 'What's Wrong with Virginia - MLive.com
State pension funds may take the fall for faltering film studio Could Michigan's film tax credit be restored? - MLive.com
As film industry struggles, Snyder defends cuts to Michigan's movie-making incentive Camera crew, 'Superman' star Dean Cain take over Ada store to film Christmas movie - MLive.com
Bond payment may be missed by film studio - Livingston Daily
Fewer Applications Are Being Sent To Michigan's Film Office 9 & 10 News
Related to why the state is receiving fewer applications? WMFO has been getting calls and letters.
From I.E. Effects in Traverse City
As you know, the new structure of the Film Production and Digital Media Assistance Program includes a change in the way the application filing fees are collected and paid. Instead of getting taken out of the awarded incentives that are paid out on the back-end with a tax rebate, now the fee is to be submitted up front, can be quite large (no longer only $100), and it is apparently non-refundable? Even if the project is not approved?
Reading over the law, I can only see where it states that an applicant's filing fee will be "deposited into the MFO fund." This, it would seem to me, means that the issue of a refundable filing fee (or a portion thereof) could be open to interpretation by the MFO and the MEDC/Dept of Treasury?
Or is this language meant to imply that all fees will be kept by the MFO no matter what?
Today I learned that one of the most promising projects in our pipeline- 3D conversions from FOX- is now on the fence about applying for MI incentives because of this filing fee issue. We even offered to cover the fee for them, but they said that the administrative accounting involved in such a reimbursement from us would be very problematic, and made the whole process very unappealing to them. There may be ways around this, nevertheless, our happy news about a way to help them meet their visual effects budget by using our Michigan facility, has been soured right out of the gate.
Please let us know if this issue is being addressed, and how soon it might be cleared up. Our ability to benefit (and hire more artists) via the new incentives program appears to be hanging in the balance.
Best regards, as always,
Clover
Clover Keyes Roy
Director of Regional Operations
I.E. Effects, LLC
315 N. Division St., Suite 100
Traverse City, MI 49684
Oscar Party
The nominations are in! Which means, time to get your Oscar Night® America tickets is running out.
You can buy your tickets here! You're invited to attend the Biggest and Brightest Night in Entertainment!
Oscar Night® America and the
Waterfront Film Festival come together for the
84th Annual Academy Awards® telecast.
Date: Sunday, February 26, 2012 Time: 5:30pm Red Carpet Arrivals, Live Music, Auction 7:30pm Auction closes 8:00pm 84th Academy Awards® Telecast begins Hosted by Billy Crystal Place: Goei Center 818 Butterworth St., SW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (Complimentary Valet Parking)
Tickets now on sale for this exclusive event! Seating is limited. $65 Ticket = champagne greeting, food, 2 drink vouchers
$125 VIP Ticket = champagne greeting, food, open bar, swag bag, official Academy Awards® program & poster, reserved seating
$1000 VIP Table = 10 VIP Tickets ($250 savings)
PLAYBACK
Shot in Grand Rapids is available on iTunes February 3rd and on demand/VOD with your local cable company
Check out the trailer here:
Playback March 9th in theaters.
Thriller Chiller
Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival welcomes the 2012 film festival season with a special screening of "Night of the Living Dead," Saturday, February 4th at the Wealthy Theatre. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the show starts at 4 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door with all proceeds benefitting the Wealthy Theatre Centennial Sustainability Campaign.
Celebrating George Romero's birthday and the zombie movie that made him famous is part of the viral event known as "1,000,000 People Watching 'Night of the Living Dead' for George's Birthday."
"Thriller! Chiller! traditionally screens Night of the Living Dead as a free community event during our festival in October," explains festival director, Chris Randall. "It's always a lot of fun and it's a great way to start off our festival this year with a fundraising benefit for the Wealthy Theatre Centennial Sustainability Campaign."
The Michigan stunt group web-sight is ready to show, if you have questions just ask and if there is anything I can do for Western Michigan Film, let me know!
www.michiganstuntgroup.com Thanks
Rick Shaw
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