UPDATE: Schedules shifting for three movies, production to set up shop soon

In case you missed Friday’s eightWest, the Meg Ryan movie “Sleepless Beauty” has been moved from the first of three movies to the last of three movies.  Also, movie producer Randall Emmett told me over the phone Thursday night that they’ll be back in Michigan next week to head to Lansing and the Michigan Film Office to discuss the Michigan Film incentives and get all of their paperwork going.   Emmett also tells me that he and the Director plan to set up their production office in Grand Rapids during the first week of November.

Production schedule:

“The Gun”: Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson and yet to be cast co-star
Scheduled to begin December 20th

“Jekyll and Hyde”: Forest Whitaker and ‘50 Cent’
Scheduled to begin January 17th

“Sleepless Beauty”: Meg Ryan and Ashley Tisdale
Scheduled to begin in late February

( Originally published 10/1/09)

Three more movies coming to Grand Rapids, starring Meg Ryan, Forest Whitaker, Ashley Tisdale, and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson

Producer Randall Emmett raves about making movies in Grand Rapids

Randall Emmett is back in town scouting locations for three movie productions that  he is bringing to town for back-to-back-to-back movie shoots.    He was in Grand Rapids for the production of “Caught in the Crossfire” earlier this year.

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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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Potential employees can now leave info for Unity Studios in Allen Park 

Sure its not even built yet, but potential job applicants can go to the Allen Park Web site and leave contact information under “Job Bank”.

Good luck!!!

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More Unity Studios details from Mifilmtourage.com on April 18, 2009:

The scope of this project is massive and once completed will be more like a city within a city. As I mentioned previously, the project will house offices, sound stages, production facilities, educational facilities, as well as retail — a fully comprehensive film mecca.

The complex’s educational facilities will be home to one of the most ambitious retraining programs ever attempted. The goal is to help the 1000s of unemployed find skills and specialties in the film industry based on knowledge they already pocess. The project will add over 3000 jobs once completed. Downriver residents will receive priority hiring.

Although an official construction start date has not been announced, late summer or early fall seems likely.

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Originally posted April 14, 2009:

More good news coming from Michigan’s tax incentives

Story from the Associated Press:

Allen Park getting $146M movie production complex

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit suburb of Allen Park is expected to be home to a new $146 million film and television production complex. (more…)

"The Wannabes" starring Radio Disney teen singing group sensation "Savvy". Photo courtesy Showcase Entertainment, Inc.

 It could be another feather in the cap of Michigan’s film incentives: a tween tv show “The Wannabes”

The Detroit metro area may be the location for the first tv series ever to be completely filmed and produced in the state.

But, the Michigan Film Office has said that they have not yet received an application for the state’s tax breaks.

According to several Detroit media reports (The Detroit Free Press, WXYZ), shooting is expected to begin in June with a mostly Michigan crew.  Reportedly, hundreds of new jobs will be created during the term of the series and local Michigan talent may also be hired.

The pilot episode has already been shot.

Ferndale based S3 Entertainment Group LLC announced Monday that it plans to produce the “The
Wannabes” and that the show will be shot entirely in Michigan.

Savvy on the set of "The Wannabes". Photo courtesy Stern-LeMaire Productions, Inc.

 S3 says the show will feature a lot of singing and dancing and will star members of the Disney pop recording group, Savvy, who have been performing in the United Stated since 2004.

The show’s website says (more…)

Director of Photography Erik Curtis (white hat), extras, and stand-in Craig Roberts (gray sportsjacket) setting up a different angle on the set of "The Steam Experiment" at Bull's Head Tavern in Grand Rapids, MI 9/10/08

One Year Later: Michigan Film Incentives

A year ago today marks one year since Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm signed the film incentive package on April 7th, 2008  that provides up to 40% percent refundable or transferable tax credit for projects in Michigan, with an additional 2% available for projects in core communities.

According to a Michigan State University economic impact study, the incentives brought 32 projects (including “The Steam Experiment”), creating 2,763 jobs and creating $65.4 million in revenue to the state in 9 months of 2008 (since the incentives were signed in April).   Of that, $25.1 million was spent on direct wages and salary and $40.3 million was spent on Michigan goods and services.

The Movies
Those 32 projects shot in Michigan in 2008 include more than a dozen feature films:
“Whip It” (shot in Ann Arbor and Detroit area, Drew Barrymore directed, expecting a 2009 release)

“Youth In Revolt” (shot in Ann Arbor area, starring Michael Cera, Justin Long, Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta, set for October 2009 release)

“The Job” (shot in Detroit, starring Ron Pearlman and Joe Pantoliano, expecting a 2009 release)

“Gran Torino” (shot in Detroit area, directed by/starring Clint Eastwood, released in 2008)

“All‘s Faire in Love” (shot in Flint area, starring Christina Ricci, expecting a 2009 release)

“Red and Blue Marbles” (shot in Detroit, expecting a 2009 release)

“Tug” (shot in Holland, starring Haylie Duff and Sam Huntington, expecting a 2009 release)

“The Steam Experiment” (shot in Grand Rapids, starring Val Kilmer, Armand Assante, and Eric Roberts, expecting a 2009 release)

“Meet Monica Velour” (formerly “Miss January”) (shot in Detroit area, starring Kim Cattrall and Brian Dennehy, expecting a 2009 release)

“Offspring” (shot in Muskegon, Moderncine, expecting a 2010 release)

“Butterfly Effect: Revelation” (shot in Detroit,  expecting a 2009 release)

“Cherry” (shot in Kalamazoo, expecting a 2009 release)

“High School” (shot in Howell and Detroit, starring Colin Hanks, Adrien Brody, Michael Vartan, Michael Chiklis, expecting a 2010 release)

The Future
Researchers estimate total production expenditures will grow 187% over the next four years (2008 to 2012) based on the experiences of Louisiana and New Mexico, who passed similar, but lower incentives in 2002.   Both states continue to experience year over-year growth in total in-state production expenditures.

The study also says Michigan film will likely “generate tourism… and other indirect benefits from film production”.

Reaction from those in the industry has been overwhelmingly positive, look for interview video soundbites later today from Ed Harris, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Joe Pantoliano.

The Opposition
There are at least four Michigan State Senators speaking out against the current tax incentives: Sen. Nancy Cassis, Sen. Jud Gilbert, Sen. Tom George, and Sen.  Mickey Switalski…. and on March 25th, there was a new proposal to put a cap on the benefits.

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Armand Assante, Director of Photography Erik Curtis (white hat), WOODTV8 Photojournalist Evan Linnert on the set of "The Steam Experiment" at Bull's Head Tavern in Grand Rapids, MI 9/10/08

 One Year Later: Michigan Film Incentives

 A year ago next Tuesday, April 7th marks one year since Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm signed the film incentive package that provides up to 40% percent refundable or transferable tax credit for projects in Michigan, with an additional 2% available for projects in core communities.

According to a Michigan State University economic impact study, the incentives brought 32 projects (including “The Steam Experiment”), creating 2,763 jobs and creating $65.4 million in revenue to the state in 9 months of 2008 (since the incentives were signed in April).   Of that, $25.1 million was spent on direct wages and salary and $40.3 million was spent on Michigan goods and services.

Researchers estimate total production expenditures will grow 187% over the next four years (2008 to 2012) based on the experiences of Louisiana and New Mexico, who passed similar, but lower incentives in 2002.   Both states continue to experience year over-year growth in total in-state production expenditures.

The study also says Michigan film will likely “generate tourism… and other indirect benefits from film production”.

There is still at least one state lawmaker speaking out against

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