Come for the Lifestyle.
said. "I really wanted to get into the
movie industry and this class will
teach me makeup methods I don't
know."
For some, classes at CFS present
the chance to not only enter a new
industry, but also remain employed
in their field while facing dwindling
job opportunities in the current eco-
nomic climate.
"I have been wiring houses for the
last six years and ever since I got my
journeyman's license, the job market
has gotten worse and worse said
Dave Rosen, a 28-year-old electrician
who lives in Berkley. "It sounds like
the movie industry is the only place
for someone like me to keep on doing
what they have trained to do."
Industry For Real?
Michigan certainly isn't the first state
outside of California to seek a share
of the multibillion-dollar film and
television production business. But
the set of tax incentives that Lansing
offers are some of the most generous
in the country.
The legislation was authored by
Meisner's nephew, former state repre-
sentative Andy Meisner of Ferndale,
who will become Oakland County
treasurer in July. It gives production
companies a 40-percent refundable or
transferable tax credit for work per-
formed here. The law also provides
a 25-percent tax credit for film and
digital media infrastructure invest-
ments for capital projects like build-
ing studios or purchasing equipment.
Andy Meisner said one of the
issues he was concerned about when
drafting the legislation was hav-
ing the domestic capacity to handle
the influx of work generated by the
increase in statewide production.
"I convened a series of hearings of
the House Commerce Committee ...
What we quickly discovered was that
Michigan had the crew base to handle
maybe one or two major productions
a year at best;' Meisner said. "We
knew there would be television com-
mercial workers who would be able
to migrate to film, but we created a
whole suite of credits specifically tar-
geting worker training."
Meisner added that the entire
package of legislation was crafted in
a way that should address the short-,
mid- and long-term issues that would
guarantee Michigan's burgeoning film
industry would thrive.
"The production tax credit would
bring about immediate investment
and job creation in the near-term,
and in the mid-term, we could get
training programs up and running
to help meet the demand as it grew.
And in the future, we have in place
tax incentives to foster infrastructure
improvements like new studios and
other facilities."
While figures have yet to be
released for 2008, it is estimated
that the state realized between $150
million and $200 million in revenue
since the tax incentives were put into
place — up from about $4 million
before the rebates were offered.
"Approximately 50 projects are
already lined up for 2009 as corn-
pared to an average of three or four
per year before the incentives:' said
Howard Hertz, an entertainment
attorney and principal of Hertz
Stay for the Friendships.
Come and experience the incredible value and comfort of
The Park at Trowbridge. Settle in and feel a genuine sense of
belonging and purpose with a diverse set of friends both new
and familiar. Our wildly popular LiveWelprogram offers
over zoo scheduled social, cultural, educational and fitness
opportunities and outings every month, so there's always
something fun to do. Learn new arts and crafts, play billiards
or attend one of our exciting and lively exercise classes.
Whatever it is you're looking for, you'll find it all here. See
for yourself why our residents love our lifestyle of simple
excellence and truly believe that "life here is grand."
at Trowbridge
The Brightest Tomorrows Begin Here
For more information or to visit, call today! (248) 352-0208
24111 Civic Center Dr. • Southfield, MI 48033
www.horizonbay.com
44
A
Holuto.4 ea
SENIOR
Cr
Commutury
1489260
Silver Screen on page A14
"I think the business
could increase to a
billion-dollar-a-year
industry within a
few years as long as the
incentives stay in place
and the infrastructure is built."
5570 Monroe Street • Sylvania, OH • 419 824 2514
-
-
- Howard Hertz
iN
Marh 12 • 2009
A13