Michigan Made: Films

Michigan Central Depot in downtown Detroit served as a location in Michael Bay's The Island in 2005 and Transformers in 2006
Photo © Laura Sternberg, Licensed to About.com

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.

More Information:

• List of major movies filmed and/or in production in Michigan (or at least anticipated)
• As posted on VisitDetroit.com, a print ad that appeared in Variety advertising Detroit as a location for films.
• List of Public Acts that make up the film-incentives package
• Article by the Michigan Business Review outlining criticisms against the film incentives