Albom, Binder say incentives can make state site for films
January 23, 2008
BY DAWSON BELL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Michigan would become a preferred site for the film industry almost overnight if state government provided bigger financial incentives and other help to the people who make movies, according to testimony Tuesday from Free Press columnist and author Mitch Albom and Michigan native and filmmaker Mike Binder.
"This is a booming, growing business," Albom said, and "there is a simple way for us to get into it. Incentives will do it."
Albom, whose work has been adapted into several made-for-TV movies, and Binder, whose credits include "The Upside of Anger," urged the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee to act quickly on legislation to increase the tax breaks for movie and TV production from 20% to 40%.
They also urged the committee to create tax incentives for people who return to Michigan to work in the industry and beef up the state's Film Commission. Doing those things could spur a major industry and job creator within just a few years, Albom said.
Binder said the state needs to send a signal that its labor unions would welcome filmmakers.
Both said productions they are working on could be shot in Michigan as soon as this year if the incentives were put in place quickly.
Lawmakers attending the hearing signaled they were willing to move quickly.
State Sen. Hansen Clarke, D-Detroit, said his city was a perfect location for producers interested in "gritty urban reality." He also expressed hope that its appearance in film would make the city a more attractive place to live and work for young people.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm also supports increased incentives for TV and movie production, spokeswoman Liz Boyd said.
But details remain sketchy, and the actual legislation to enact the changes still is being drafted.
Contact DAWSON BELL at 313-222-6604 or dbell@freepress.com.
PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:25 am Post subject: Movie Industry and the Creative Class
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Politcally correct while generating CREATIVE vehicles for "capital formation" and addtitional revenue-generating activities.
These are also the kind of Creative Class assets that KEEP and ATTRACT 21st Century talent in and to our state.
Bring it On!
See more: http://www.dwiff.blogspot.com
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Jim Ross
21st Century Digital Learning Environments
41810 Huntington Ct.
Clinton Township, MI 48038
586-228-0608
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