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 who 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 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,” 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.

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MiFIA visits set to promote MI film incentive legislation

LANSING, MI – Lights, action, camera and … a new film incentive credit for Michigan. All took center stage the past several weeks during the filming of Block Party in Grand Rapids.

Wrapping up Michigan filming today, the family comedy is the product of Branch Out Productions, an African American led production company based in Grand Rapids. Block Party follows Harvard grad Keke McQueen, played by Antoinette Roberson, who wants to leave her hometown for a career in Atlanta but decides to stay to save her grandmother’s annual Juneteenth celebration.

"Our comedy, Block Party, is set in Michigan, so it is important to add in as much regional flavor as possible," said Lisa Mathis, president of Branch Out Productions in a news release. "We're making an extra effort to cast locally while bringing more jobs to Michigan to strengthen our hub for diverse actors, producers and filmmakers. We believe casting local actors is good for the economy and good for creativity." 

The Michigan Film Industry Association (MiFIA) couldn’t agree more. Representatives of MiFIA visited the set to show their support as they pursue the introduction of legislation this fall to create a Michigan film incentive program.

“More than 40 states and U.S. provinces, along with 97 countries, with incentives know that its all about jobs, the economy and retaining talent,” said David Haddad, MiFIA chair. “Tax credits stay in Michigan and benefit local companies. We can no longer stand idly by while Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania and other states capture all the advantages of film and commercial productions.”

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

Initially introduced at the end of the 2019-2020 session, the legislation is drafted and ready for reintroduction this fall in both the Michigan House and Senate. The bills have garnered bipartisan support.

Earlier this year, MiFIA members and state legislators visited the Detroit set of Black Family Mafia, a new hit series on Starz. While the producers wanted to film the Detroit-based story entirely in the city, they spent only a week in Detroit with the remaining scenes filmed in Atlanta because of Georgia’s film incentives.

            “Michigan is a beautiful, versatile state for filming,” said Haddad. “It defies logic that Michigan-based movies and the Big 3’s automotive commercials are not produced here. We have the power to change that now and, in doing so, create jobs and boost the state’s economy.”

            For more information on MiFIA, visit www.mifia.org.

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from Crain's

BY TOM O'DONNELL AND JOHN FORD

We’ve seen this scripted act of ction before. Every year at this time, so-called “experts” from biased, politically motivated think tanks release a report concluding it is time to call "cut" on lm, TV, and streaming program tax credits nationwide, as a columnist did in the July 26 issue of Crain's.

Read article PDF | Online

 North Jersey set the stage for some 90’s nostalgia during the filming of the Hulu television series Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Season 2. Based on a true story, the show follows the formation of the Wu-Tang Clan in the early 1990s -- a vision of Bobby Diggs, aka The RZA, who strives to unite a dozen young, black men that are torn between lives of music and crime. They eventually rise to become the unlikeliest of American success stories. Executive produced by RZA, Method Man, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo and Alex Tse, the series will air later this year. 

Filmed entirely in New Jersey, Wu-Tang: Season 2 stars Ashton Sanders as RZA, Shameik Moore as Raekwon, Siddiq Saunderson as Ghostface Killah, and Dave East as Method Man, with recurring appearances by Joey Bada$$. Filming took place on locations in East Orange, Elmwood Park, Kearny, Newark, Paterson, Plainfield, and Secaucus. 

Many television programs have been produced in New Jersey throughout the years. They include Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Sopranos, Oz, The Enemy Within, Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector, Emergence, Little America and, most recently, The Equalizer. 

Governor Phil Murphy pointed to the recent spate of television shows shot in the state as a testament to the success of the tax credit program. “A single network series filming in New Jersey for a full season can generate as much as $100 million in local economic activity, and create hundreds of local jobs,” he emphasized. The Governor cited as examples the aforementioned projects and such television shows as CBS’s The Equalizer and Ways & Means, and HBO’s The Plot Against America, all filmed on location here in the last two years. 

Since the reinstatement and enhancement of New Jersey’s film incentive program, production activity has increased as much as 500%. Produced by Imagine Television, Wu-Tang: Season 2 is one of many projects recently attracted to the state by the New Jersey Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program, which offers a tax credit for qualified productions filming here. “We are delighted that the critically acclaimed Wu-Tang series chose to film Season 2 in the Garden State,” said Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “We continue to see television shows produced here on a regular basis and expect that trend to continue in the years ahead.” 

About the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission 

The NJMPTVC, which falls under the New Jersey Department of State’s Business Action Center, is staffed by industry professionals and serves as a resource for production companies. The Commission promotes film and television production in New Jersey. 

www.film.nj.gov 

On June 8, MiFIA executive committee officers Brian Kelly, Peter Klein and Michael Anderson presented to the House Commerce and Tourism Committee a proposal to bring the film tax credit back to Michigan.

Watch here starting at minute 13:
https://www.house.mi.gov/SharedVideo/PlayVideoArchive.html?video=COMM-060821.mp4 

For the first time in years, Michiganders will see a familiar city in a major motion picture. Set and filmed in Detroit, Steven Soderbergh’s No Sudden Move employed approximately 150 local workers (full and part-time) and used over 100 Michigan vendors for the 35-day shoot. The total Michigan spend for production is estimated at $30 million. Bringing back the Michigan film tax credit will attract other filmmakers like Soderbergh, promote tourism and create more jobs in our great state.

The Michigan Film Industry Association (MiFIA) has made great strides over the past year to create a film tax credit program in Michigan, and they are not slowing down.

Legislation was introduced in late December to create a two-tiered tax credit. This legislative session, the Association is working diligently to educate lawmakers on the pro-jobs, talent retention bills.

Formed in 2019, MiFIA recently elected officers and added 14 new board members.

Executive committee officers are: David Haddad, chair; Brian Kelly, 1^st vice chair; Michael Anderson, 2^nd vice chair; Jonathan Braue, treasurer; and Peter Klein, secretary.

Newly appointed board members are: Larry August, James Brown, Yvette Campbell, Luke Castle, Jesse Ford, Anthony Garth, Lindsey Katerberg, Lawrence Lamont, Aaron Mohr, Karla Kurz Murray, Sean O’Grady, Alexander Page, Diane Stratton and Janet Vineeta.

“The talent and experience represented by our Board demonstrate the passion they have about bringing good-paying jobs and keeping our talent in Michigan,” said Chair David Haddad, owner of Haddads Inc. “With these individuals backing our mission, along with bipartisan legislative support, we are one step closer to our goal of making Michigan competitive with 38 other states who understand the economic benefits of film incentives.”

Members of MiFIA are eager to introduce legislation that is responsible to taxpayers, generates revenue for the state and small businesses, and retains talent. Sen. Adam Hollier is leading the charge in the state Senate with work groups planned for late Spring.

“The amount of support MiFIA has received is very encouraging,” said Haddad. “We all love Michigan and want to showcase our great state.”

Momentum building for film tax credit legislation 

LANSING, MI – Haddad’s, one of the country’s top film and television equipment rental companies, is leading the charge for support of the Michigan film industry.

Haddad’s has stepped forward as an early investor in the Michigan Film Industry Association (MiFIA), recently donating $10,000 toward the organization’s advocacy efforts. This is in addition to helping create the association and donating hundreds of hours advocating for the state’s film industry.

“This is about job creation and economic investment at a time when both are desperately needed,” said David Haddad, owner of Haddad’s. “This is for the thousands of hardworking men and women who want to work in their home state of Michigan. The time is now!”

In December, legislation was introduced in the state House to create a two-tiered tax credit that provides incentives for Michigan-produced commercials as well as film, television and streaming productions. Sen. Adam Hollier plans to reintroduce the legislation this session. The action comes at a time when over 30 states offer film incentives and, in turn, receive the jobs, economic boost and related peripheral benefits from a multi-billion-dollar industry.

“We want Michigan talent to stay in Michigan,” said Haddad, whose offices include a Detroit location. “The outpouring of supporters has been tremendous. Now, we need the resources to take our advocacy efforts across the finish line.”

Film advocates, like Haddad, who co-chairs MiFIA, continue to educate state lawmakers on the legislation, which took more than three years to research and write. Drafters call the bills responsible to state taxpayers and a sound investment in Michigan’s economy.

How the Michigan Film Tax Incentives affect Filmmaking in Michigan
Shot on Location on the set of "Betty Anne Waters" in Detroit

March 17, 2009

Carol Cain, Detroit Free Press Business Columnist

Is it time to bring back film incentives to Michigan?

Count state Sen. Adam Hollier as one who thinks the time is right. Hollier is getting set to jump-start the conversation in Lansing with fellow legislators as he holds workshops to get feedback and input on a proposed plan by the Michigan Film Industry Association. If all goes well, he’s planning to introduce a bill in the Senate in March.

Read the full article.