Film industry in Michigan

The official history of motion picture production in the U.S. state of Michigan dates back to the beginning of the Post–World War II baby boom. As of March 14, 2013, the Michigan Film Office website contains a list of 319, filmed in Michigan titles, beginning with This Time for Keeps, starring Esther Williams and (Jimmy Durante) in 1946, followed by Anatomy of a Murder, starring Jimmy Stewart and Lee Remick in 1959.[1] Contemporary nationally known works filmed in the state include the drama Conviction (2010), starring Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell,[2] Kill the Irishman (2011), starring Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken,[3] HBO's series Hung was filmed, and is set in, Detroit,[4] and the Discovery Channel's Motor City Motors (2009), formerly Monster Garage (2002-2006).[5] Originally slated for Minneapolis, Minnesota, Clint Eastwood's film Gran Torino (2008) was filmed in the Detroit area.[2]

Changes to the dynamics of the automotive industry left Michigan with vacant factories and commercial buildings, these buildings were well suited to be repurposed as sound stages and film production facilities.[6] In 2008, Michigan offered nationally competitive film incentives that coincided with the automotive industry crisis.[6] The Michigan Film Incentive effort was successful in creating a film production infrastructure and workforce, however the film incentive was scaled back and capped at $25 million per year by incoming Governor, Rick Snyder in 2012.[7] Negotiations between industry and the legislature resulted in a $50 million budget for the film incentive in 2012.[8] The Governor's Recommendation for FY 2013–14, caps the film incentive budget at $25 million.[9]

Studio benefactors of the Michigan Film Incentive included: Raleigh Michigan Studios (Now known as Michigan Motion Picture Studios in Pontiac),[10][11] Detroit Center Studios/Wonderstruck (in Detroit),[12] 10 West Studios (in Manistee) and now defunct Unity Studios (Allen Park).[13][14]

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