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Success Stories

Many productions have discovered the advantages of coming to Michigan. The production companies have been pleased with the results, and hundreds of residents, vendors and business owners have had positive experiences, also. Here are a few of their stories.


“It totally exceeded my expectations being here in Michigan. We were really pleasantly surprised. I have to say, pretty much on every front, it way exceeded our expectations. The locations have been fantastic. Everyone’s so willing to work with us, and wants us here. The crew is one of the best I ever worked with. The extraordinary Michigan incentives enabled us to make it work. And provide a lot of jobs in Michigan.”

-- Tony Goldwyn, Director

 

CONVICTION

Starring Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell, based on the true story of Betty Anne Waters, a high school dropout who spent nearly two decades working as a single mother while putting herself through law school in an attempt to overturn her brother's unjust murder conviction. More...

Conviction Poster
 

MOOZ-lum

Watch Evan Ross, Nia Long, Danny Glover, Roger Guenveur Smith, Summer Bishil & Dorian Missick in a groundbreaking new film about a an African American Muslim boy who comes of age against a politically charged 9 11 backdrop. Filmed in Ann Arbor, and the University of Michigan. More...

MOOZ-lum Poster
 

"We found the perfect visual counterpart to tell our story. Look beyond the tax incentives in Michigan and you will find fantastic locations, friendly people and an eager crew base. It’s all in Michigan."

-- Scott Stephens, Executive Producer, HUNG

 

HUNG

Michigan's first regular weekly television series, debuted nationwide on HBO Sunday, June 28, for a 10-episode season. More...

Hung Poster
 

“The best time I’ve ever had making a movie has been here in Michigan. I feel like I’ve been in Movie Camp.”

-- Rob Reiner, Director

 

FLIPPED

You Never Forget Your First Love. From the Director of THE BUCKET LIST, STAND BY ME, and WHEN HARRY MET SALLY... More...

Flipped Poster
 

The Midnight Hour

The Midnight Hour airs on Thursdays at midnight, Saturdays at 10:30pm on Comcast 52 & WOW and Channel 18 in metro Detroit.
For More Information Visit www.themidnighthour.tv More...

 

“Michigan was such a great place to film. I hope to come back and film again, there are so many great places to shoot. I was so lucky to have made my film here. I’m the grateful one, I promise you.”

-- Drew Barrymore, Director and Producer

 

WHIP IT

The directorial debut of Drew Barrymore, stars Ellen Page (Juno) as Bliss, a rebellious Texas teen who throws in her small town beauty pageant crown for the rowdy world of roller derby. Marcia Gay Harden (Mystic River, Pollock) plays Bliss' More...

Whip It Poster
 

ART HOUSE

Go to www.savearthouse.com for more information. More...

Mckean Rand Scheu as Wyatt
 

ALLEGED

 For More Information Visit: www.allegedthemovie.com More...

Alleged Logo
 

ALL'S FAIRE IN LOVE

All's Fair In Love was shot at the Michigan Renaisance Festival in Holly, MI More...

All's Faire in Love Poster
 

"Whatever movie we do next, we're going to do (in Detroit),"

-- Rosie O'Donnell, Producer

 

AMERICA

Aired on Lifetime Feb. 28. Filmed in Detroit, starring Rosie O’Donnell, and Detroit's own Philip Johnson

  More...

America Poster
 

“There is so much talent here in Michigan, that it just made sense to keep all of the production here, including the post and musical score. I am very proud of the fact that this film was made completely in Michigan, by Michigan talent. What a testament to what Michigan has to offer. And what an opportunity we have to showcase what we can do together”

-- Amy Weber, Producer/Director

ANNABELLE & BEAR

 Annabelle & Bear is the dramatic, tender story of a man who finds himself suddenly thrust into fatherhood, and the unexpected journey that leads him to discover the life-altering love found in the heart of his little girl. More...

Annabelle & Bear
 

CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY

 Michael Moore's next film explores the root causes of the global economic meltdown and takes a comical look at the corporate and political shenanigans More...

Poster
 

“The people of Western Michigan have really embraced and supported our project from pre-production all the way through the screening process. We truly couldn't have made this movie without the support of the talented and generous people of Michigan. We can't wait to bring CHERRY to Michigan movie theaters this fall.”

-- Jeffrey Fine, Screenwriter and Director

 

CHERRY

For More Information visit www.cherrythemovie.com More...

Cherry Poster
 

"My whole life has been about making movies in Michigan, and I'm glad everyone else is finally jumping on the bandwagon! Anything to help build the industry is a good thing. Michigan crews are competent and have heart, and that helps make the process worthwhile."

-- Richard Brauer, Brauer Productions

 

FITFUL

 A dark comedy/suspense feature written and directed by Michigan Film Maker of the Year, Rich Brauer. For More Information visit www.brauer.com  More...

FITFUL Logo
 

GIFTED HANDS: THE BEN CARSON STORY

Starring Cuba Gooding Jr., as world renowned brain surgeon Ben Carson, aired on TNT Network Feb. 7. Filmed in Detroit, Highland Park. More...

GH Poster
 

"Michigan will be the new film capital of the world."

-- producer/director/actor Clint Eastwood

 

GRAN TORINO

Starring and directed by Clint Eastwood, opened January 9, 2009. Gran Torino filmed in Royal Oak, Grosse Pointe, Center Line, and Highland Park. It is the highest grossing movie of Eastwoods's career. More...

On the porch
 

“Being a native Detroiter it was

-- Gary Gilbert, Producer

MEET MONICA VELOUR

Premiering at Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, Sunday, April 25 For Tobe, a nerdy, cineaste, the pinnacle of womanhood is Monica Velour (Kim Cattrall), a soft core actress who reached the zenith of her career in the 1980s. More...

 

MOTOR CITY MOTORS

Motor City Motors follows renowned fabricators and custom bike builders Dave and James Kaye, founders of Detroit Bros. Custom Cycles. Watch each week as the brothers, with their father, John tap into the Detroit based talent and assemble a team of builders and specialists. Together they push the boundaries of automotive engineering to create one-of-a-kind vehicles, with a five-day limit for each build. More...

Motor City Motors
 

"I know that our company probably wasn't going to shoot in Michigan since it took place in California... So, I think we were all thrilled of being part of bringing more film to Michigan, and I think there was a very good spirit about that."

-- Sigourney Weaver, Actor

 

PRAYERS FOR BOBBY

 Starring Sigourney Weaver, aired on Lifetime Network January 24. Filmed in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Bloomfield Twp. More...

The Big Parade
 

“We look forward to sharing this story with our film industry friends, and hope they like what they see. Shooting in Michigan is a unique opportunity for film makers and actors with many diverse locations and welcoming communities. Michigan has an exceptional talent pool.”

-- Sam Kadi, Director

 

RAISED ALONE

"Raised Alone" has been selected to be screened at the 2009 Detroit Windsor International Film Festival. More...

Raised Alone Poster
 

SECRETS IN THE WALLS

For More Information Visit: www.rhitv.com/movies/secrets-in-the-walls Filmed in: Berkley, Detroit, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge

  More...

Secrets In the Walls Poster
 

THE GENESIS CODE

 Filmed in Grand Rapids and Lowell Michigan More...

 

THE IRISHMAN

 The Irishman chronicles the rise and fall of infamous Cleveland gangster Danny Greene (Ray Stevenson). More...

The Irishman Poster
 

“Most producers find a project, and then a state to film it in. We did the reverse, finding the state first, and then the project. We got every location we wanted, which hardly ever happens. Places like the Western Michigan campus, the old Gibson Guitar plant (now Heritage Guitars) and Bell’s Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo, and South Haven’s Sherman’s Ice Cream, all affirming the movie’s authenticity. The incentives program is just fantastic. Plus, with fresh water and sandy beaches, how could it go bad?”

-- Jennifer Westin, Producer

THE LAKE EFFECT

Kalamazoo native Jennifer Westin returned home to produce her first project after working on both coasts for several years, overseeing a script’s revision specifically to take place in Western Michigan. More...

The Lake Effect Poster
 

THE NEXT GREAT MISSION

 This is the story of NASA and how our space program represents the best of the American character...how our nation carries the burden of leadership, and how our space program has defined our role on the world stage and even more importantly, it is a challenge to a nation deeply enmeshed in todays critical issues, to press on towards The Next Great Mission. More...

The Next Great Mission Poster
 

"The tax credit in Michigan brought us here... so I really hope you guys hold on to that, because that helps movies like this get made, but in addition to that, it's that gorgeous airport that you spent a fortune on."

-- Jason Reitman, Director

 

UP IN THE AIR

 Starring George Clooney. Directed by Jason Reitman. Filmed at Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus, MI More...

Up In the Air Poster Shot
 

WEDDING DAY

Next Airdate: Wednesday, January 13 at 12:00pm (ET) on TNT More...

Wedding Day Logo
 

WHAT IF...

Introducing What if... a Pure Flix and Jenkins Entertainment film. Starring, Kevin Sorbo, Kristy Swanson, Debby Ryan, and John Ratzenberger.What If tells the story of Ben Walker (Kevin Sorbo), who fifteen years ago left his college sweetheart Wendy (Kristy Swanson), More...

 

YOU DON'T KNOW JACK

 Scheduled to debut on HBO in spring 2010 More...

 

“Michigan has been wonderful. The crews are great and I look forward to shooting here again. I would encourage anyone to shoot in Ann Arbor just for Zingerman’s Road House, it’s delicious.”

-- Miguel Arteta, Director

 

YOUTH IN REVOLT

Filmed in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Ferndale, Frankfort, Hazel Park, Interlochen State Park, Lake Leelanau, Madison Heights, Rochester, Royal Oak, Traverse City, Wixom. More...

YIR Poster