Northern Michigan Film Industry Update

Oct. 26, 2008

Michigan’s new tax incentives to attract major film productions have been working: The Michigan Film Office is reporting over 60 projects in the works and millions being invested into the state’s economy. But to date, only a few projects have been slated for Northern Michigan.
This past summer part of a production was filmed in Frankfort. There have been rumors flying of a major Warner Brothers project slated for next year in Petoskey and Grayling. The director of Hoosiers and Rudy is rumored to be filming Bassmaster this spring in Traverse City. There has been talk of the new Stephen King film being made on the Leelanau Peninsula.
Chambers, convention & visitors bureaus and location scouts have received other inquiries as well. Although downstate communities continue to get the bulk of the projects, community organizers are taking actions in Northern Michigan to change this course of direction.
“We created an inventory of our assets (Grayling area) that we are presenting to Michael Moore and to the Michigan Film Commission,” said Gaila Gilliland of the Crawford County Economic Development Partnership. “But what we are learning is that we are better off taking a regional approach and working with neighboring communities in Northern Michigan and marketing ourselves together as a Northern Michigan film community.”
Gilliland is among several who will participate in a forum on October 29 near Grayling with Janet Lockwood, head of the Michigan Film Commission. After Lockwood’s presentation, Gilliland, along with business leaders, individuals and community leaders, plan to network on forming an alliance to attract film business to Northern Michigan.
This regional approach is what Joe Breidenstein of Walloon Lake has been hearing as well. Breideinstein is currently working as a location scout for a major film production company that will spend $8 million in Northern Michigan.
“They have me all over the place. They need more than one community to make this film work. I have been up in the Upper Peninsula, Petoskey, Alpena and in some rural areas taking photographs and making contacts,” said Breidenstein. “This is going to take an alliance of interested people, businesses and community leaders from Northern Michigan. So I am excited to see a coalition forming, because this type of industry crosses over into several areas as it impacts tourism to tow trucks and a lot of businesses in between.”
Dianna Stampfler of Promote Michigan agrees. Stampfler has been in high demand, traversing the state giving workshops and presentations on how communities and businesses need to prepare themselves to welcome the film industry. Stampfler will lead a workshop for Northern Michigan businesses, community leaders and other individuals who want to see the film industry take off in Northern Michigan on November 5 in Boyne City.
“When a major film production company comes to town it requires many businesses to be onboard. It is not just hotel and restaurants that are impacted. It is dry cleaners, car dealership, flower shops and the list just goes on,” said Stampfler. “The more prepared a community and its leaders and businesses are, the better they position themselves. I think it is great that Northern Michigan is coming together and taking a regional approach to this. It will serve everyone in the long run.”
Stampfler moderates the film industry web-blog and is in almost daily contact with producers, production companies and others looking at Michigan.
“In some cases these production companies are going to be spending millions of dollars in an area and if a community is not organized, these companies do not have the time to wait for you to get it together,” said Stampfler. “Right now business is going to proactive towns in Michigan; not reactive ones.”
Academy Award winning filmmaker and Traverse City Film Fest co-founder Michael Moore is getting several calls from his friends in Hollywood. Moore, who makes Northern Michigan his home, is encouraging his colleagues to come to the area to make their films but cautions the region:
“When Hollywood comes calling, do not jack up your prices or they will not be back,” said Moore. “You have one chance to get it right. Filmmaking is a small community and word travels quickly. So please, I am asking Northern Michigan to do this right and if you do, we will be rewarded with more projects in the future.”
Moore has joined the Michigan Film Commission and is actively using his clout to attract film business to the region.

Here are two upcoming events for any individual, business and community leader interested in learning more about bringing the film industry to Northern Michigan:

• Janet Lockwood, Director of the Michigan Film Commission will present “How Your Community and Business May Take Advantage of the New Film Incentives” at Forest Dunes Golf Club (near Grayling) on Wednesday, October 29 at 6:30 p.m. The presentation is open to individuals, businesses and community leaders. Those attending will gather after the session to discuss a regional coalition. For additional details, call 989-275-0700 ext. 119.

• Dianna Stampfler of Promote Michigan will give a workshop on “What Communities and Businesses Need to Know to Welcome the Film Industry to Northern Michigan.” The free session will take place at Stafford’s Weathervane in Charlevoix on Wednesday, November 5. The presentation will follow a social/networking hour which starts at 6 p.m. Afterwards, industry leaders will hold a roundtable discussion about a new regional organization forming to attract the film industry to Northern Michigan. The discussion will be led by award winning filmmaker George Colburn (Eisenhower) who has production offices in New Mexico, Washington D.C. and Walloon Lake. The session is open to all individuals, businesses and community leaders. For additional details, by call 231-535-2227.