The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 3B Big-screen bailout All shallow's eve Why one Michigan director is fighting to protect film incentives By JACK PORTER Daily Arts Writer Michigan's Film Tax Incentive is a provocative piece of legislation that has incited passion in many film buffs - friends and enemies alike. The incen- tive's 40-percent tax-refundable credit for filmmakers is currently the highest offered in any state and has attracted many Hollywood-based and local pro- ductions. Famously, Clint Eastwood's film "Gran Torino" was shot in Michi- gan after the incentives were passed. Drew Barrymore's "Whip It," a more recent example, was filmed in the greater Detroit area as well. Some lawmakers, however, claim the state can't afford to keep making big pay- outs to filmmakers. There's a possibility that the incentive could be decreased or capped to curb state spending. Advocates of the bill in its original form argue that changes will only flaunt Michigan's eco- nomic instability, which could cause Hol- lywood to look for greener pastures. Michigan director and producer Mike Manasseri shares these sentiments. But what sets him apart from other voices in the debate is his unmatched devotion to a simple cause: keep the incentive from changing. To further this goal, he created the non-profit advocacy group Big Screen Michigan. The group emphasizes the eco- nomic successes brought on by the incen- tives thus far, especially the creation of new jobs for Michigan. Monday night, Big Screen Michigan held a rally at the Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac. Manasseri spoke with the Daily by phone before the rally. A joint project with a local news sta- tion convinced him of the incentive's posi- tive effect on Michigan's economy. While interviewing Michigander crew members on the set of the upcoming remake "Red Dawn," he heard personal stories that inspired him to take action. "One person after the next, over and over, basically said 'I was laid off from my job, I had to move out of the state, I was going to lose my house,' " Manas- seri recalled. "Before these incentives were passed, they were in serious, serious trouble. And here in person, they all said 'I've been working non-stop ever since the incentives passed, and it has changed my life.'" One of his favorite stories from his time working with Big Screen Michigan involves a diner in Birch Run where part of "Whip It" was filmed. The new own- ers of the diner re-opened the restaurant as a real-life version of the fictional "Oink Joint" that appeared in the film. "It's there now," he said. "They serve a great pulled pork sandwich. I've been there. I've eaten it." Manasseri's passion for the cause is palpable. He spoke with gusto about the importance of the incentive for the Michi- gan economy, describing it as "a bright light that is shining on this state." "We need to make sure that the legisla- ture - who invited this industry in here with a great incentive package - doesn't start tinkering with it, changing it, cut- ting it," he said. "Because when hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake, these companies will turn away, and we can't have them do that." Manasseri went on to answer critics who fear that Michigan could be outbid or wouldn't be able to sustain the incentive. He turned to Louisiana as an example of a successful film incentive program. "They've had their incentive for a decade," he said. "Because that infrastruc- ture was given the time to take root - to form a foundation Louisiana is doing fine. They're still making terrific money. Their workforce is still doing 'incredibly well." Manasseri also downplayed the incen- tive's impact on the state budget. "The entire incentive package for 2008 was less than one one-thousandth of the state budget," he said. "There are so many more important things (to single out) than this, but because it is high-profile, because it is Hollywood, it's an easy target." Asked about upcoming movies to be filmed in Michigan, Manasseri mentioned "Highland Park," starring Danny Glover, and "Game of Death," a remake of a Bruce Lee film set to star Wesley Snipes. After the rally, Manasseri shared his thoughts on the event by e-mail. "Great speakers and a terrific turnout," he wrote. "State Senators Gilda Jacobs and Hansen Clarke took the stage followed by Mitch Albom who really rocked the house with a passionate speech." While Michigan's Film Tax Incentive is still in jeopardy, Manasseri's enthusi- asm has already worked to mobilize sup- porters. The issue has obviously attracted strong opinions from a variety of view- points, and whether or not the incentive is actually helping Michigan, remains up in the air. Regardless of the feasibility of sustaining the tax incentive, Manasseri at least. has his heart in the right place: He's committed to helping fix Michigan's economy while also bringing the state the excitement of an active film industry. ta's that time of year again, faithful gossip devotees. All Hallow's Eve, the favored holiday for anyone hop- ing to channel his or her inner bimbo, is just around the cor- ner. While a sizable female majority will continue to capitalize on the "slutty bunny / slutty cop / slutty a prostitute" costume bracket, this Hallow- SASHA een is also likely be dotted with innumer- RESENDE able references to The Summer of Celebrity Death. Just as the late Heath Ledger's Joker dominated 2008's festivities, expect to see an overabundance of silver-gloved Michael Jackson impersonators moon- walking their way to the next kegger this Saturday. The late infomercial king Billy Mays's family has already learned to embrace the cultural obsession with commemorating celebrity death. Mays's son is offering a prize to the three best costumes immortalizing his father. In order to properly pay homage to the late mays, the prizebetter include astub of OxiClean mixed with an eight-ball of high-grade Colombian blow. Speaking of snowy weather, let's check in with Hollywood's A-list train- wreck Lindsay Lohan. Try as I might to write a single column neglecting to mention Miss CokePants, the sometimes actress and failed fashion designer con- tinuously manages to generate highly unflattering but entertaining press about herself. This week, LiLo's father Michael Lohan - a man better known for his repeated jail stints and his recent friend- ship with Dad of the Year Jon Gosse- lin - has reached out to his estranged daughter in the best way possible: by going on Maury to beg his little girl to quit the drugs and get her life straight- ened out. Oh yeah, and to maybe cut him another check - things have been a little tight lately with the recession and all that. At least the man refrained from commenting on Lindsay's unmen- tionables, unlike Papa Winehouse, who proudly announced to the world that daughter Amy - and her recently enhanced silicone breasts - is just fine. Poor little LiLo reacted to unanimous worldwide ridicule of her Ungaro fash- ion line by going on a month-long bend- er, passing out in nightclubs and causing the weekly tabloids to speculate that the end is near for hapless Lindz. Luckily, her 15-year-old sister Ali - you know, the one who briefly had an E! reality show showcasing Dina Lohan's attempts to turn her youngest daughter into a cash cow - is in tow for the festivities, joining her big sister for vodka-Red Bull flavored nights on the L.A. nightclub cir- cuit. At least if Lindsay's health doesn't hold out, there will be another little Lohan trainwreck to follow. One person who won't be frequenting the club scene for much longer is rap- per Lil Wayne, who recently pled guilty to second-degree gun possession and will likely be sentenced to a year in the pokey. Why exactly would a millionaire recording artist, whose claim to fame is comparing Blow Pops to oral sex, need to pack heat on his tour bus? Appar- ently he had to keep those crazed fans in check. He's the second high-profile hip-hop artist convicted of felony gun charges this year, effectively stealing T.I's thunder. Hopefully the two will bond behind bars and release a mixtape titled "Whatever You Like a Lollipop." Martha Stewart will grace the cover art and Plaxico Burress is expected to guest. Shifting from the very real shackles of prison to the metaphorical shackles of parenthood, a slew of reality starlets are set to give birth in the coming weeks. Thank god; I was getting sick of relying solely on the Gosselins for my weekly dosage of televised child exploitation. Former "Girls Next Door" Playboy groupie Kendra Wilkinson has taken a break from hawking her dumb-blonde schtick and is showing off her expand- ing belly for a variety of celebrity week- lies. Thankfully she's expecting a boy, so the child will be groomed for football tournaments rather than magazine cen- terfolds. Kourtney Kardashian - the one who didn't just put together a hasty wedding and hasn't leaked a sex tape yet - is also with child. She report- edly became preggers after a series of unprotected flings with her cheating ex-fiance Scott Disick, who has now been upgraded to temporary boyfriend. The entire pregnancy, from the early "Oh-shit-I-missed-my-period" stages all the way to the tenuous "Should-I- get-an-abortion?" debates, has been captured by a live camera crew for Kourtney's latest El reality show. These tapes will be a lovely supplement to 'future "How You Were Born" conversa- tions between Kourtney and her Little Dress up as Billy Mays, win a prize! Kardashian. Let's just hope the TV crew doesn't capture the live birth for a raw two-hour special. Speaking of out-of-touch reality starlets, aspiring singer Heidi Montag recently dissed her own sister by refus- ing to attend her birthday party. Heidi allegedly opted out of the festivities because wasn't goingto be paid for the appearance. The fact that anyone would pay Heidi to stare at a camera for 23 minutes every week, much less attend an actual publicized event, is enough to make even the most upbeat person lose all faith in humanity. Heidi's sister-in-law and "Hills" co-star Stephanie Pratt is also fight- ing her own battle to maintain media relevance. The reality star was recently arrested in Hollywood for suspicion of driving under the influence. To her credit, Stephanie is related to Spen- cer Pratt, and if I had to deal with his fame-whoring ways every day I'd be pounding the vodka harder than Paula Abdul If you've been feeling like there has been something intangible missing from your life these past three weeks, there's a likely answer. Disney pop-tart Miley Cyrus recently quit Twitter, unceremo- niously dumping the 2 million-plus fol- lowers she had accumulated. Apparently little Miley's newestboyfriend didn't like that she was documenting her every burp for a gaggle of fans. I'm sure Daddy Billy Ray and the Disney execs had absolutely no interest in preventing yet another leak of a scantily-clad, mildly racist photo. What will the Twitteratti do now that Hannah Montana isn't tweeting all her profound thoughts for the masses? Are they really expected to follow Audrina freaking Patridge? Resende needs more people to follow on Twitter now that Miley's gone. E-mail her your Twitter name at sresende@umich.edu. Playing with fire: poi meets girl By CAROLYN KLARECKI Daily TV/New Media Editor This past summer I devoted my free time to perfecting moves with names like the "buzz-saw," "corkscrew" and "windmill" so when I performed with fire, hopefully I'd walk away unharmed. I had discovered fire poi - an obscure performance art from New Zealand - in the most unexpected place: northern Michigan. I spent my summer working in a tour- ist town placed in the middle of northern Michigan's expansive wilderness, and after we exhausted the town's entertain- ment (which didn't take long in a city designed for families that came, saw and bought souvenirs), my coworkers and I turned to a summer of projects and hob- bies. Some tackled books, others learned to sew, many plowed through TV mini- series. I discovered fire poi. Poi is a performance art native to the Maori culture and other indigenous popu- lations of New Zealand. In the art, women spin balls attached to the end of a cord made from varying materials in a sort of dance. The Maori people pair this art with song, dance and storytelling. Original poi was made from native plants, but today there are many types including glow poi, flag poi and, of course, fire poi. In my favorite variety, the balls are made from Kevlar wicks and the cord's material is made from metal chain, and after the Kevlar has soaked in kerosene, the balls are set aflame. Often performed in the dark, artists throw, toss and twirl the fireballs around their bodies, creating the visual effect of a performer encom- passed in personal little infernos where How a rare fire art made a summer in northern Michigan almost tolerable. lines of flaming light seem to float in the air around them. It was a coworker who got me into fire poi in the first place. Having spun fire for over a year, she performed on weekends in the most tourist-inundated district of town hoping to make some extra money. Watch- ing a fire poi performance is always mes- merizing, but seeing it for the first time is indescribable. My colleague was extremely at ease. It was as though spinning fire with- in inches of her hair and face was the most natural thing in the world. She danced without care to techno music while effort- lessly spinning blazing circles and flowers in the air with her poi, completely unaware of the crowd she was attracting. Here I was, stuck in a bizarre city with 50 hotels and two streetlights, watching my friend perform an ancient Maori art. Who knew this would happen? All I knew was I had to try fire poi for myself. I was quickly provided with a set of practice poi (nothing more than a pair of tennis balls stuffed into knee socks) and, for the next few weeks, spent the major- ity of my free time in front of a full-length mirror swinging the tennis balls at my sides and acquiring bruises. Eventually, my spastic motions grew smoother - I wasn't hitting myself in the face (as often) and my bruises began to fade. After a month of practicing with tennis balls, I tried fire and'- because I escaped without burns - never looked back. The rush of spinning poi and sense of relief that spilled over me once the fire went out were the most satisfying feelings I have ever experienced. Ever since that first time, my curiosity about poi has only grown. I started fre- quenting websites and forums for poi and found it has a pretty large following. What started as a cultural dance in New Zea- See FIRE POI, Page 4B \xt For a video of Daily TV/New Media Editor Carolyn Klarecki performingfire poi, check online at michigandaily.com. FAN THE DAILY ON FACEBOOK University of Michigan's Largest _____ Selection of REALTY Units Available forImmediate Occupancy Off Campus Now Leasing for 2010-2011 H Houses up to14 bedrooms Housn 66Church S.<7341 995-9200 www.archrealtyco.com H UED,