COLUMN: The end of films in Michigan
Michigan's House of Representatives introduced a bill that would cut the $50 million tax incentive program for the film industry. If the bill is passed, the program will end Oct. 1.
This means no blockbuster film or major television show will be filmed, or produced, in Michigan.
This may not mean anything to you, but this ruling could literally force me out of Michigan, my home state.
For years, I’ve dreamed of working on films, whether it is in front of the screen or behind the scenes. I know that I will work on films, but I can no longer do that in Michigan. No films in Michigan means there will not be any jobs for those in the film industry, which only leads to moving out of state.
I will admit, Michigan has its downfalls; harsh, cold winters that last longer than six months, and humid summers, but it is the only place I have ever called home. I thought I had a solid plan for living here for a few years to save up, but without the hopes of working on a major film, that plan seems to have vanished.
I love the media industry as a whole, but films have a special place in my heart. Going to the movies is one of the only forms of entertainment we have in Mount Pleasant.
Films make you feel emotion. They can tell someone’s story that you might have never known if you didn’t go and see that specific movie. It’s truly remarkable what films can do to and for a person.
For the past few decades, there has been a steady decline in movie theater attendance. Even so, the film industry is making more money than it ever has. Imagine the state jobs that could have been created if only Michigan was given a chance to be a slice of Hollywood.
The reason more movies are being filmed and produced out of Hollywood is because it can be more convenient to go to the actual location rather than construct the buildings you need for that specific scene. With blockbuster films branching to other states, this creates more jobs for people who can’t or don’t want to move out of their home state. In Michigan alone, we have had the new "Batman vs. Superman" movie filmed in Detroit, "Real Steel," which stars Hugh Jackman, "Transformers" (2007) and a few others.
I have had the opportunity to be cast as an extra on AMC’s "Low Winter Sun," and it was the first time I was able to see the production that goes into making a TV show. I knew that I wanted to be in the chair of the TV director, but that would not be a possibility with the $50 million budget cut from the film industry in Michigan.
This may not seem like it will hurt Michigan, but it is cutting jobs. Believe it or not, the film industry actually helped Michigan’s economy.
I love that films give us the opportunity to tell someone’s story and give people creative inspiration. This is a potentially tragic end to something that could have been spectacular.
