“We are now finally coming close to reaching our pre-economic collapse billing levels, and anticipate adding additional administrative and professional staff when moving into our larger office space this Spring.”
-- Patricia Kahn
Steady growth has occurred consisting of varied audit and tax work, including one California film company’s recurring tax needs, beyond its film incentives requirements. More...
“I personally would be unemployed right now if not for this program, absolutely. This is also for all the actors who stayed in Michigan for years paying their dues. There are real parts for these people now. It’s one of the only industries giving people hope.”
-- Kathy Mooney
The two immediately found work filling principal roles for the Sigourney Weaver film, Prayers for Bobby¸ and before they knew it were signing a lease, renting office space. More...
“It’s really been a blessing for us. Business was just not there. As a company we’d have been asking ourselves is it worth it to keep the doors open. For a film like
-- Dan Minzey, Vice President
The film work has grown steadily, launching a hefty hiring spree of 300 new employees in 2009, and from a tellingly diverse pool of applicants such as MBAs, engineers and other professionals, in addition to 14% of whom from automotive. More...
“The film business has been a nice shot in the arm, especially in a slow business climate. Our experience has been all positive. I don’t know everything about what film companies do, but I know they don’t want their material backing up or being handled twice. Their needs change at a moment’s notice, and that’s been our specialty for years. For a film like “Red Dawn,” which was off the hook, we were there when they needed us.”
-- Frank D. Rymill, Owner
The company’s long time standard of immediate, personal service was a perfect match for film needs as positive word-of-mouth soon led to many projects. More...
“Attending a panel at the movie expo, it just resonated and made more sense to be one of a pool of 10 rather than one out 1,000 if I moved to Los Angeles. I think it’s smarter to start somewhere realistic and potentially be in the thick of things sooner here. Not to over-romanticize, but I’d like to really help build, and be a part of an infrastructure here.”
-- Kellin Johnson
Not often you hear of a young Midwestern filmmaker and student, anxious to break into Hollywood, who packs up his car for the big move to…Detroit!? More...
“I love filming in Ann Arbor. Just love it.”
-- Director Miguel Arteta on his return to the area for the comedy Cedar Rapids, his second straight film following 2008’s Youth in Revolt.
A plethora of film activity has landed in the area, bringing residual results on various fronts to many different parties. Projects filmed included Betty Anne Waters, Stone, Flipped, Trivial Pursuits, Mooz Lum, Trust, Cedar Rapids. The 19,000 hotel room nights More...
“No one was explaining to these kids that number one, the arts are not just opera and ballet, but also filmmaking of many types, contributing a massive amount to the national economy, and number two, they can choose this as an actual career. It’s quite thrilling to see a light go off in their heads as this opportunity literally changes the fabric of their life.”
-- Gillian Eaton, Vice President, Arts and Humanities
The program produces a regular hub of Detroit high school and middle school student filmmakers, finding their creative voice as they learn and hone the craft of filmmaking with state-of-the-art cameras, computers and equipment. More...
“The film business has provided a needed supplement to our client base, especially during these challenging times. Our product offerings and proven service delivery are things we are proud of, and it’s great to see productions taking notice.”
-- Keith Shopnick, General Manager and Director of Sales
New policies enacted such as 24-hour room service and extended hours in the lounge helped the hotel land two projects in Fall 2009. More...
Madonna’s long-planned $21 million Science and Media Center opened in Fall of 2009, just over a year after the film incentives passed, culminating a decade of strategic efforts to substantially elevate its newly named Broadcast and Cinema Arts (BCA) Program. More...
“I thought I’d sell that first estate merchandise and leave. Now, a friend of mine who was out of work in IT is on board, finding estate sale buy-offs. A lot of the film folks are buying stuff for themselves too. This whole thing just snowballed.”
-- Steve Humphreys, Owner
Opened the day after Christmas, 2008 as a temporary estate sale business. Starting with one employee, a steady flow of foot traffic soon arrived including a few Hollywood set designers from area film shoots. Word of their satisfaction spread quickly, More...