Michigan Rallies for Film Incentives

Other Prior Events

MICHIGAN RALLIES FOR FILM INCENTIVES

by Mallory Brown

filmrally

Signs at the State Capital read: FILM MICHIGAN PUTS MICHIGAN TO WORK!
I LIVE IN MI, I WANT TO WORK IN MI!
MICHIGAN FILM INDUSTRY – LET IT ROLL!

On Tuesday, August 18, filmmakers from across the state joined together on the steps of the Michigan state capital. They shared one common goal – to defend the film incentives. The rally was called by the Michigan Production Alliance in hopes of extinguishing the growing negative publicity over the incentives.

A year and a half after the Michigan legislature passed the new incentive law, a concern has emerged that the state cannot afford its commitment to the film industry. As a result, threats have been rumbling in the legislature to change, cap, or even repeal the law. Rumored proposals are to limit the currently uncapped state subsidy to $50 million annually and/or to decrease the rebate percentage from the current 40% (or in some cases, 42% ) to 30%. The feisty group of filmmakers voiced that neither was acceptable. Their demands were loud and clear. “Don’t touch the incentives!”

The theme of the rally was “Everyone Benefits.” Michigan residents from all areas of business gathered to prove the widespread positive effects of Michigan’s growing film industry. The energy was high from the passionate words at the podium to the chants of the crowd. From legislators to crew members, actors and small business owners, everyone had a story:

Senator Gilda Z. Jacobs (D) from Huntington Woods exclaimed, “The incentives are working!” Jacobs told Michigan Movie Magazine that the government wants to have an economic argument. “What they don’t seem to understand,” Jacobs claims, “is that you need to spend money to make money. The incentive program will take time. We can’t pull the rug out yet.” Jacobs urges filmmakers to not only write their senators, but step inside their offices and talk to them face to face.

Eddie Rubin, a recent college graduate, represents the young generation of creative minds. Rubin explained how the incentives allow him to pursue his dreams in Michigan instead of moving to New York or L.A. as he previously thought necessary. Rubin, an entrepreneur producer of Deep Blue Pictures based in Farmington Hills, exclaimed, “With every inch of growth, we give back! If the incentives are capped or stopped, this will cease!”

Kimi Bartha from Williamston, MI made a powerful statement when she arrived with a handmade sign reading, “Film incentives help me feed my children.” More than her poster board, however, it was her two young daughters that had the greatest impact. Katy (14) and Mariah (12) stood beside their mother holding matching signs that read, “Film incentives keep my mom employed.”

Ella Smith, a screenwriter who moved to Seattle, returned home to Michigan in February 2009. Smith wanted to spend time with her grandmother, the widow of an auto worker, but needed an avenue to develop her script ideas. Guess what gave her that opportunity! (hint, hint – the incentives!) Smith claims that her career has blossomed since her return. Plus, she was able to continue her Seattle job, working part-time by telecommuting online. Smith prides that she’s “even bringing in dollars from the state of Washington!”

Location manager Tom Jacobs claims the incentives gave “a shot of adrenaline” to our state. As the man responsible for showing off landscape, Jacobs admits, “it is not hard to sell Michigan. It’s just beautiful!” Jacobs explains that we naturally have everything going for us, if we’d only give it a chance to shine. He shared his favorite quote about our state: “Michigan is like a faucet. All you have to do is turn it on.”

Kathy Remski and Rose Gilpin of local talent and extras casting company Real Style, delivered a heartfelt speech about the humility of employment. Since the incentives, the duo has placed over 10,000 people in paid positions on set. These jobs range from one to thirty days of work. They pleaded for us “not to underestimate what that means to someone without a job. A day’s work is a day’s work.”

The rally concluded with a compelling argument from celebrated writer, Mitch Album. He articulated the vast misunderstanding of the incentives. “The legislature claims it’s an argument about math. They are partially right. It’s about math for the people coming in. It’s not about math for the people here in Michigan.” He went on to explain how the incentive’s benefits cannot be stated in a dollar amount. The ripple effect of new dollars brought to the state combined with the future value of new opportunities makes the “profit” of the incentives immeasurable.

Album also advocated the importance of maintaining Michigan’s image. “What does it mean that a legislature says one thing and a year and a half later takes it away. If we come up with something and strip it away, no one will come do business here. No one!” Album, along with other speakers, urged the government to stay confident. Multiple films have already left because of negative publicity.

The cheering crowd supported Mitch Album’s final demand that the government allow the incentives to thrive. On behalf of an entire industry of filmmakers, he bellowed “If you cut them, you kill them. If you cap them, you kill them!”