Updates on 3 movies shooting/possibly shooting in West Michigan

As I wrote for 530pm news script Cliff Claven, Hercules, and the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer are coming to Grand Rapids… some big names are coming for a movie finally ready to start rolling… and a movie that might shoot in Grand Rapids has been approved for state film incentives.

. “What If” to shoot in Grand Rapids

“What If” stars John Ratzenberger (best known for his role as Cliff Claven on the tv show “Cheers”), Kevin Sorbo (best known for his role in the tv show “Hercules”), Kristy Swanson (who played the title role in the original “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer”), and Debby Ryan, who’s well known for her role in the Disney Channel series “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody”. 

“What If” started shooting in Manistee June 28 and will be moving its production to Grand Rapids during the upcoming weekend.   The film is a co-production between 10 West Studios in Manistee and Jenkins Entertainment and Pureflix Entertainment, both of Los Angeles.

“What If” is scheduled for a DVD release on Valentine’s Day 2010.

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. “The Genesis Code” sets new production schedule

After a few delays (originally set to start in April), “The Genesis Code” is moving ahead with production starting July 27th.

The family-friendly feature-length drama is about a college hockey player and his relationship with a female reporter at the school newspaper.

The movie will be shooting shoot in Grand Rapids and Lowell in various locations including Calvin College, Patterson Ice Center, and the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

The movie will be directed by Patrick Read Johnson, he the producers and others are already in West Michigan, prepping for pre-production, out of town crew will start arriving on Monday.

Jerry Zandstra, vice president of American Saga Productions says that they decided not to shoot the hockey scenes at Van Andel Arena because “it doesn’t look like college hockey, it looks like IHL or NHL”.  The scenes at Patterson Ice Arena near Ford International Airport will be shot to make it look like there are fans on both sides of the ice.

The majority of scenes will be shot in and around Calvin College… on campus, in classrooms, the cfaeteria, the President’s House, Nursing School, the Chapel.

The cast is yet to be announced, but there are some big names, they won’t be announced until contracts and schedules are finalized.

Previous “The Genesis Code” blog

If you’d like to be part of the crew, send electronic submissions to crew@thegenesiscodemovie.com.

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. “Tribes of October” approved for state incentives

The movie “Tribes of October” is considering production in Grand Rapids, and according to the production company, has now been approved for the state film incentives.   The CGI heavy film starring James Caan, Jamie King, Ray Stevenson and Robert Duvall is scheduled to begin pre-production in July and August and will most likely start shoot August through October. 

The West Michigan Film Office has been working on facilities, accommodations, and several details to pave the way for this production to shoot in Grand Rapids.

Previous “Tribes of October” blog

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