By Laura Weber
Michigan's film incentive program is up for discussion this week at the state Capitol. State Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville wants to keep Hollywood filmmakers coming back to Michigan.
Richardville likes having the film and T-V industry in Michigan. A couple years ago he was even cast in a bit part as a politician on a show aimed at young teens called "The Wannabes," which he describes as "Fame" meets "Saved By The Bell."
Richardville said the old tax incentive program designed by Governor Jennifer Granholm's administration won't work anymore for Michigan. But he said the film incentives were very aggressive, and without them...
"...We wouldn't have had the workforce in place, we wouldn't have the infrastructure investment, we wouldn't have the businesses that would support the industry while they're here."
But Richardville said Michigan is losing movies like "Iron Man 3" because the incentives have been scaled back too much. Richardville said he wants to come up with a funding structure that will continue to attract film companies, but won't cost the state too much money.
Copyright 2010, MPRN
Michigan's film incentive program is up for discussion this week at the state Capitol. State Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville wants to keep Hollywood filmmakers coming back to Michigan.
Richardville likes having the film and T-V industry in Michigan. A couple years ago he was even cast in a bit part as a politician on a show aimed at young teens called "The Wannabes," which he describes as "Fame" meets "Saved By The Bell."
Richardville said the old tax incentive program designed by Governor Jennifer Granholm's administration won't work anymore for Michigan. But he said the film incentives were very aggressive, and without them...
"...We wouldn't have had the workforce in place, we wouldn't have the infrastructure investment, we wouldn't have the businesses that would support the industry while they're here."
But Richardville said Michigan is losing movies like "Iron Man 3" because the incentives have been scaled back too much. Richardville said he wants to come up with a funding structure that will continue to attract film companies, but won't cost the state too much money.
Copyright 2010, MPRN