Detroit: the new haven for Mid-West feature film production

After passing a comprehensive tax-incentive package earlier this year to lure film production to Michigan, the state is experience a big increase in film projects. In fact, the state has gone from having only a couple of movies filmed here each year to over 50. Some of the films in or near production in Michigan include a film directed by Drew Barrymore, Whip It; a Jack Black comedy, Ye Olde Times; and a zombie/buddy flick, Dead Heads (the zombies are the buddies).
The incentives package was not the state’s first attempt to break into the movies. Back in 1979, Michigan created the Michigan Film Office, an organization dedicated to attracting production companies and assisting them in securing locations for their films. The 1980s saw a bump in movie production in the state as a result, but 2008 saw a much bigger bump because of the tax breaks.

The 2008 tax incentives allow film producers a credit against Michigan's Business Tax in the amount of 40 to 42% of the production-related expenses incurred in the state. Additional incentives reward production companies that train Michigan residents to work on a film crew.

Over 120 movies have had a scene or two filmed in Michigan through the years. The film incentives package passed in 2008 by Michigan's legislature, however, will drastically increase film business for the state in coming years. List of current films shooting in Detroit:

• Whip It (In Production) Drew Barrymore directed movie starring Drew Barrymore, Ellen Page, Juliette Lewis and Jimmy Fallon


• Demoted (In Production) Comedy with Sean Astin and David Cross


• The Steam Experiment (In Production) Starring Val Kilmer


• Butterfly Effect 3 (In Production)


• Ye Olde Times (Anticipated Production) Comedy with Jack Black

Link to Michigan Film Office: http://www.michigan.gov/filmoffice