News, Events & Festivals

With movies like Hugh Jackman's "Real Steel," Richard Gere's "The Double" and "Scream 4" shooting in metro Detroit -- and more on the way -- it is beginning to seem like Hollywood Midwest around here.

The state's tax incentives for filmmaking are bringing projects to town. And the good manners of local residents are helping build Michigan's image as a nice place to work.

Where Los Angeles and New York can be blasé about having film productions around, Detroiters are enthusiastic about their role as hosts.

When the cast and crew for the third "Harold & Kumar" movie filmed scenes at the Somerset Collection in June, the crowds at the mall were happy to see them. "I didn't encounter anybody that felt as if we were in their way or creating a nuisance, nothing like that," says the movie's unit publicist, James Ferrera. "So that was good, because we don't want to do that."

Hollywood sees us as courteous. So how do we stay that way? Here's some advice on film etiquette:

You spot a star off-duty: This one requires common sense. When celebrities are trying to have a quiet meal at a restaurant, they probably don't want to be bothered. But in more public settings, many actors appreciate a friendly wave or positive comment from fans.

It's all about being respectful. Scott Stinebaugh, director of sales and marketing for the Westin Book Cadillac, says the hotel asks its employees to treat celebrities with "discretion, respect and privacy."

You see a movie being filmed in your town: When "Trust," a drama starring Clive Owen and directed by David Schwimmer, filmed at locations in Ann Arbor, Plymouth and Dexter, "people didn't want to intrude and were very, very polite," according to Cid Swank, the movie's unit publicist.

That attitude helped the cast and crew get their work done, Swank says.

What's the considerate way to watch a film being made? Swank says it's OK to stand behind a barricade and observe what's happening. But don't bring flash cameras and don't yell. Enthusiasm is appreciated, but you don't want to interrupt a scene when the cameras are rolling.

You're asked by a location scout about filming at your house: First things first. "Make sure that the people you are working with are legitimate," says Tom Jacob, a location manager for movies filmed here, like the upcoming "Stone" with Robert De Niro. He suggests checking their film credits on IMDB.com or calling your city offices.

Or you can go to the Michigan Film Office's online production directory of crew members statewide at www.michiganfilmoffice.org.

Being part of a movie can be fun and fascinating, but homeowners need to "be prepared for everything that it entails," says Jacob, and that includes being flexible about work schedules, which often change, and having realistic expectations about how much they'll be paid. It could be anywhere from nothing to thousands of dollars, depending on a movie's budget and what's required to film at a location, says Russell DeVriendt, an assistant location manager for the Miley Cyrus-Demi Moore film "LOL."

You hear about an open casting call: Most open casting calls for major films are for extras. If you're attending a tryout, be patient -- there may be a wait. "Sometimes you'll get right through. Sometimes, there's a line," says Rose Gilpin of Real Style casting company of Clawson.

Gilpin says her company always takes photos at casting calls. It's a good idea to dress simply, because you want the focus to be on yourself, not a distracting item of clothing.

When will you find out how an audition went? It depends on how far in advance the casting takes place, so it could be a few days or several weeks or more. "Be prepared to just go home and not worry about it," says Carrie Ray of Carrie Ray Casting in Royal Oak.