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In early 2006, I was approached by some members of the Michigan Film Advisory Commission, inquiring if I would join them on the film commission to assist in getting film and digital media tax incentives passed in Michigan, just as New Mexico and Louisiana, the front runners at the time, had done previously, among numerous other states.

Read full article at Crain's Detroit.

(WXYZ) — The push to bring back film incentives is moving through the Michigan State Capitol.

One of the leads in this effort is state Senator Adam Hollier of Detroit.

"Either we are going to be competitive or we're not. We've invested in the auto industry. We should be doing the same in the film industry," Hollier said.

During the movie boom in 2012, the Motown Motion Picture Studios were built in Pontiac. The building is no longer filming movies after being sold in 2018.

"I think the pandemic has shown us that our economy has shifted to a service sector and what we saw was that movies never stopped production," Hollier said.

If the bills are passed, it will make two levels of tax credit that would provide incentives for anything produced in Michigan. This ranges from commercials to streaming productions.

"These streaming services are looking to set up shop in places that are business-friendly and people-friendly, and Michigan provides all of that," set electrician Brian Kelly said.

Kelly has worked on major films like Transformers and Superman when they filmed in Michigan.

"This supports a lot of blue-collar jobs. A lot of us just want to be in this industry and work in our own states," he said.

Right now more than 39 states offer some type of incentive to film in their states. Michigan does not, thus putting the state at a disadvantage.

These new bills will give advantages to state-based companies who hire Michigan workers.

The bills include:

• A 25% base tax credit with an additional 5% awarded for the inclusion of a "Filmed in Michigan" logo
• A commitment from production companies to spend at least 5$0K per commercial and $300K for productions over 20 min
• A 30% tax credit for hiring Michigan residents and 20 % for non-residents

"This is opportunity. I mean we spend so much time talking about how we are going to be keeping young folks in the state. How we are going to attract and retain and make Michigan the place that people want to go and so much of that comes down to innovation," Hollier said.

Read full article at WXYZ.

From DBusiness
R.J. King March 1, 2022

Legislation introduced Monday could create a two-tiered tax credit, incentivizing state-produced commercials as well as film, television, and streaming productions. The 2017 film Transformers: The Last Knight was filmed in the city. // Courtesy of the Michigan Film Industry Association

Bicameral, bipartisan legislation introduced on Monday in the Michigan Legislature would create a two-tiered tax credit that provides incentives for state-produced commercials as well as film, television, and streaming productions.

The action comes at a time when some 39 states offer film incentives and, in turn, receive the jobs, economic boost, and related upstream, downstream, and peripheral benefits from a multi-billion-dollar industry.

From 2008 to 2015, Michigan offered generous film incentives of up to 42 percent per production, but the savings were discontinued after Gov. Rick Snyder and his team determined millions of dollars were leaving the state, largely because out-state directors, producers, and actors had no obligation to spend the money here.

“This is about Michigan jobs,” says Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit. “As we witness the devastation and business losses from the pandemic, we know that attracting an industry that reinvented itself amid the crisis is a wise investment in our state’s economy and its workers.”

Sens. Hollier and Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, along with Reps. Kyra Bolden, D-Southfield, and Jack O’Malley, R-Lake Ann, introduced the bills to create jobs and retain Michigan talent. The initiative positions the state as an attractive location for film, commercials, and the need for streaming content.

“Bringing the film industry back to Michigan will create more jobs and boost Michigan’s economy,” says Bolden. “Michiganders will be proud when movies made about icons like Aretha Franklin and Motown can be made right here in Detroit.”

The bills give preference to state-based companies that hire Michigan residents. Other specifics of the legislation include:

• A base tax credit starting at 25 percent for in-state spending with an additional 5 percent awarded for the inclusion of a “filmed in Michigan” logo;
• A commitment from production companies to spend at least $50,000 for a single commercial campaign or project under 20 minutes or at least $300,000 for productions over 20 minutes;
• A 30 percent tax credit for hiring Michigan residents and 20 percent for nonresidents;
• A requirement that qualified Michigan vendors provide proof of brick-and-mortar presence, have inventory, and full-time employees on staff. Pass-through companies and transactions will not qualify; and
• Accountability requirements for independent verification of approved expenditures.

“The incentives will provide direct economic benefits to Michigan communities,” says Schmidt. “Many states can attest to the fact that film incentives spur additional investment and create jobs and training programs, boost local businesses, and retain talent.”

The Senate bills, SB 862-863, now go to the Senate Economic and Small Business Development Committee with the House bills, HB 5724-5725, headed to the House Commerce and Tourism Committee.

“Film production is a manufacturing industry that depends on labor and a range of supporting goods and services to survive,” says O’Malley. “This well-crafted and competitive film incentive program will attract new industry opportunities to our state and support Michigan’s talent base and labor force.”

For more information and video segments on MiFIA’s advocacy efforts to create a film tax credit program in Michigan, visit www.mifia.org.

To become a MiFIA member or support the association’s advocacy effort, contact Lorri Rishar at lorri@edgepartnerships.com or 517-449-7435.

Watch the interview at CBS Detroit

Southfield (CBS Detroit) – Michigan once had the most lucrative film incentives in the nation in 2008 but were ended in 2015. Now, some state legislators are trying to bring a modified version back as Peter Klein, Secretary-Treasurer of Michigan Film Industry Association, talked about on CBS 62’s “Michigan Matters.”

Michigan Matters Host Carol Cain, with Peter Klein, Secretary-Treasurer of Michigan Film Industry Association

READ MORE: Crews Discover 130-Year-Old Shipwreck In Lake Superior

Klein talked with Carol Cain, Senior Producer/Host, and discussed how MIFIA has been working  with legislators who just introduced a two-tiered tax credit that provides incentives for Michigan-produced commercials as well as film, television and streaming productions.

State Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit, State Sen. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, Reps. Kyra Bolden, D-Southfield, and Jack O’Malley, R-Lake Ann, are involved with the legislation. Senate Bills– SB 862-863 – is on its way to the Senate Economic and Small Business Development Committee, while House Bills, HB 5724-5725, is heading to the House Commerce and Tourism Committee.

Production filming in Michigan (Courtesy of Provided by Brian Kelly)

Klein talked how the new initiative is a slimmed down version of what was launched in 2008. For more, see  www.mifia.org.

Film production is a manufacturing industry that depends on labor and a range of supporting goods and services to survive. Many states attest that film incentives spur additional investment and create jobs and training programs that boost local businesses and retain talent. A well-crafted and competitive film incentive program will attract new industry opportunities to our state and support Michigan’s talent base and labor force.

Introduced by Senators Adam Hollier, D- Detroit, and Wayne Schmidt, R- Traverse City, along with Representatives Kyra Bolden, D- Southfield, and Jack O’Malley, R- Lake Ann, these bills were designed to create jobs and retain Michigan talent. They say this legislation comes at a time when over 39 states offer film incentives and, in turn, receive the jobs, economic boost,  and related upstream, downstream and peripheral benefits from a multi-billion-dollar industry,

“This is about Michigan jobs,” stated Sen. Hollier. “As we witness the devastation and business losses from the pandemic, we know that attracting an industry that reinvented itself amid the crisis is a wise investment in our state’s economy and its workers.”

“Bringing the film industry back to Michigan will create more jobs and boost Michigan’s economy,” said Rep. Bolden. “Michiganders will be proud when movies made about icons like Aretha Franklin and Motown can be made right here in Detroit.”  This legislation would give preference to Michigan-based companies who hire Michiganders.

Specifics of the legislation include the following:

• A base tax credit starting at 25% for in-state spending with an additional 5% awarded for the inclusion of a “filmed in Michigan” logo;
• A commitment from production companies to spend at least $50,000 for a single commercial campaign or project under 20 minutes or at least $300,000 for productions over 20 minutes;
• A 30% tax credit for hiring Michigan residents and 20% for non-residents;
• A requirement that qualified Michigan vendors provide proof of brick-and-mortar presence have inventory and full-time employees on staff. Pass-through companies and transactions will not
  qualify;
• Accountability requirements for independent verification of approved expenditures.

Senate bills SB 862-863 now go to the Senate Economic and Small Business Development Committee while House Bills HB 5724-5725 are headed to the House Commerce and Tourism Committee.

Read article at Michigan Movie WEEKENDER

Carol Cain, Free Press Business Columnist

Is it time to bring back film incentives to Michigan? 

Some legislators in Lansing think so and just introduced legislation to help make it happen.

The legislation would create a two-tiered tax credit that provides incentives for Michigan-produced commercials, as well as film, television and streaming productions. 

“This is about Michigan jobs,” said Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit. “As we witness the devastation and business losses from the pandemic, we know that attracting an industry that reinvented itself amid the crisis ...

Read full article at Detroit Free Press

Could Hollywood make a comeback in Michigan? I sure hope so! new law Reinstatement of film tax incentives to bring film production back to our state has just been introduced in both the Michigan House and Senate.

In previous years Michigan had one of the most attractive tax incentives in the country for filmmakers and offered a 42% discount on production costs. The bill was signed in 2008 by Governor Jennifer Granholm and brought several big-name productions to the state, however, that incentive was discontinued in 2015 by Governor Rick Snyder.

at the height of filmmaking in michigan we saw main movie As if road to Perdition starring Tom Hanks, Transformers: The Last Knight starring Mark Wahlberg, and batman vs superman Starring Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill, everyone comes to our state to see the movie. When these large scale constructions come to town they bring in a whole crew who are in need of housing, food and entertainment. for example, transformer The production alone had a crew of 850 members, which means our state benefits from their dollars spent here during filming.

I must admit, I was very disappointed when I heard that the state’s film tax incentive was being repealed. It was fun hearing stories about celebrity sightings when these productions were in town and you never knew what you might run into! I remember a special story about everyone boom that shook downtown detroit transformer was filming. It was exciting to know that a little slice of Hollywood was in our state!

These days it seems like we see almost everything the walking dead To ozarki To avengers: end game All were filmed in Georgia, a state with a liberal film tax incentive. I’m tired of Michigan missing all the action!

The new proposed bill would provide a base tax credit of 25% for spending in the state, in addition to 5% to include a “filmed in Michigan” logo and a potential 30% tax credit for hiring Michigan residents. I call it a win-win!

It’s a long process, but hopefully this new proposal will be soon enough to be signed into law someday.

Read article at Michigan News

Bipartisan bills position state to compete with 39+ states 

LANSING, MI – Bicameral, bipartisan legislation introduced today in the state Legislature is being heralded as an important investment in Michigan workers and the economy.

            The legislation creates a two-tiered tax credit that provides incentives for Michigan-produced commercials as well as film, television, and streaming productions. The action comes at a time when over 39 states offer film incentives and, in turn, receive the jobs, economic boost, and related upstream, downstream, and peripheral benefits from a multi-billion-dollar industry.

            “This is about Michigan jobs,” said Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit. “As we witness the devastation and business losses from the pandemic, we know that attracting an industry that reinvented itself amid the crisis is a wise investment in our state’s economy and its workers.”

            Sens. Hollier and Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, along with Reps. Kyra Bolden, D-Southfield, and Jack O’Malley, R-Lake Ann, introduced the bills to create jobs and retain Michigan talent. The initiative positions the state as an attractive location for film, commercials, and the booming need for streaming content.

            “Bringing the film industry back to Michigan will create more jobs and boost Michigan’s economy,” said Rep. Bolden. “Michiganders will be proud when movies made about icons like Aretha Franklin and Motown can be made right here in Detroit.”

            The bills give preference to state-based companies that hire Michigan residents. Other specifics of the legislation include:

• A base tax credit starting at 25% for in-state spending with an additional 5% awarded for the inclusion of a “filmed in Michigan” logo;
• A commitment from production companies to spend at least $50,000 for a single commercial campaign or project under 20 minutes or at least $300,000 for productions over 20 minutes;
• A 30% tax credit for hiring Michigan residents and 20% for non-residents;
• A requirement that qualified Michigan vendors provide proof of brick-and-mortar presence have inventory and full-time employees on staff. Pass-through companies and transactions will not qualify; and
• Accountability requirements for independent verification of approved expenditures. 

“The incentives will provide direct economic benefits to Michigan communities,” said Sen. Schmidt. “Many states can attest to the fact that film incentives spur additional investment and create jobs and training programs, boost local businesses and retain talent.”

      The Senate bills, SB 862-863, now go to the Senate Economic and Small Business Development Committee with the House bills, HB 5724-5725, headed to the House Commerce and Tourism Committee.

"Film production is a manufacturing industry that depends on labor and a range of supporting goods and services to survive," said Rep. O'Malley. "This well-crafted and competitive film incentive program will attract new industry opportunities to our state and support Michigan's talent base and labor force."

      For more information and video segments on MiFIA’s advocacy efforts to create a film tax credit program in Michigan, visit www.mifia.org. To become a MiFIA member or support the association’s advocacy effort, contact Lorri Rishar at lorri@edgepartnerships.com or 517-449-7435.

Read article at Michigan Business Network

New bipartisan legislation was just introduced in the state house and senate. It would bring back a film incentive to attract filmmakers to the state and help the economy.

Senator Wayne Schmidt and Representative Jack O’Malley introduced the bills to create jobs and retain talent. If approved Michigan would join nearly 40 other states with incentives for filmmakers to make films right here in Michigan.

Brian Kelly is the First Chair Vice President of the Michigan Film Industry Association. He says Michigan is non-competitive in the film business.

“We feel that Michigan is missing out on tons of jobs and entrepreneurship and opportunity with the film industry and we want the state to actually be apart of the 39-plus states that actually have film incentive programs,” Kelly said.
For the past three years the Michigan Film Industry Association has been working to create what Brian Kelly says is one of the most competitive bills in the country.

“We feel we’ll get the type of work that is necessary to rebuild Michigan’s lagging restaurant and hotel industry especially, but also lumber yards, florists, landscapers, security, just tons and tons and tons of businesses that benefit from the jobs of the film industry,” Kelly said.

The proposed bill says filmmakers who choose to film in Michigan would get a base tax credit of 25% for in-state spending and an additional five-percent awarded for including a ‘filmed in Michigan’ logo.

Kelly said the bill was created with taxpayers in mind.

“We have crafted this bill to be very conscious of taxpayer funding,” he said. “We’re taxpayers ourselves and we wanted our tax dollars to be spent just as wisely as we would want others to think that as well.”

The bill would also give filmmakers a 30-percent tax credit for hiring Michigan residents and 20-percent for non-Michigan residents. Local filmmaker Rich Brauer has been in the film industry for over forty year. He says he’s seen a lot of stuff come and go, including the incentive.

The most recent film incentive from 2008 was discontinued in 2015 by then-Governor Rick Snyder. Brauer believes this incentive is better.

“The new incentive, as I understand it, it’s a tax incentive it’s actually a credit towards your tax situation so that actually legitimizes it a bit, the previous one was just cash rebate… I kind of think this is a better way to go,” Brauer said.

Brauer believes this incentive will attract legitimate filmmakers and give young filmmakers a chance to stay in Michigan.

“There’s going to be an opportunity for all these graduates of schools and universities to be part of a real industry in Michigan, without having to travel to all the other 30 states that are out there that offer an incentive,” Brauer said.

Read at 9 & 10 News

Could Hollywood be making a return to Michigan? I sure hope so! New legislation has just been introduced in both the Michigan House and Senate to restore a film tax incentive to bring film productions back to our state.

In previous years Michigan had one of the country's most enticing tax incentives for filmmakers and offered up to a 42% rebate on production costs. The bill was signed into law in 2008 by Gov. Jennifer Granholm and brought many big name productions to the state however, Gov. Rick Snyder discontinued that incentive in 2015.

At the height of film production in Michigan we saw major motion pictures such as Road to Perdition starring Tom Hanks, Transformers: The Last Knight starring Mark Wahlberg, and Batman v. Superman starring Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill, all come to film in our state. When these large scale productions come to town they bring an entire crew who need lodging, meals, and entertainment. For example, the Transformers production alone had a crew of 850 members which means their dollars spent here while filming all benefit our state.

I must admit, I was very disappointed when I heard the state's film tax incentive was being repealed. It was fun to hear stories about celebrity sightings when these productions were in town and you never knew who you could run into! I remember one particular story about all the loud booms that shook downtown Detroit while Transformers was filming. It was exciting to know a little slice of Hollywood was in our state!

These days it seems like nearly everything we watch from The Walking Dead to Ozark to Avengers: End Game were all filmed in Georgia, a state with generous film tax incentives. I'm tired of Michigan missing out on all the action!

The new proposed bill will offer a base tax credit of 25% for in-state spending, in addition to another 5% for including a "Filmed in Michigan" logo, and a possible 30% tax credit for hiring Michigan residents. I call that a win-win!

It's a long process, but hopefully this new resolution will make it far enough to be signed into law someday soon.

Read article at WKFR