Jul 27 2009

FilmEmerge has expanded services from providing a directory of resources and talent to include courses.  Question is – will the money stay within Michigan? Some of the courses are bringing instructors in from Hollywood.

They recently established the FilmEmerge Foundation…
As a 501(c)3, Michigan based non-profit organization. The FilmEmerge Foundation provides scholarships to deserving youth and retraining opportunities for displaced workers interested in the art of film documentary, narrative filmmaking and positions in major motion picture productions.

Gran Torino is a film that received a lot of coverage when recently filmed here. It was not eligible for tax incentives because it brought people from outside Michigan to work here. Sure those people coming in brought money to businesses during their stay while filming, however that money headed home (outside Michigan) once filming was complete.

The lesson for film makers is to train the talent you wish to use, get them the tools and skill with them for your production.

Filmemerge’s directory of talent is not alone. Sites have been springing up every week offering to be a source for film talent. How many do you have to sign up on? Which are actually being used to prospect for resources by film makers with a valid budget and support? Sites like the Michigan Film Office’s directory require a fee to be listed on them.  Is the fee worth the investment?

Are those staffing films going to the paid site over these free sites and why? Status of the site having valuable connections and content is often the key.

We’ve found that FilmEmerge has answered all of the questions, and then some.

Jul 20 2009

FilmEmerge – Acquires UAW Seal of Approval

Written By: Jonathan Rayos | Category: General, News, Useful Info | Comments : 0 comments
Michigan’s Most-Visited Film Resource Website – FilmEmerge.com – Acquires UAW Seal of Approval
To Provide Film Training for Displaced Workers – TAA Federal Grant Monies Available!
UAW Displaced/Current Workers & Michigan Displaced Workers Reinvent Themselves via FilmEmerge Training

 


DETROIT, Mich. – Who ever would have thought that Michigan’s automotive workers may work in the film industry one day? Welcome to Michigan, where film tax credits and a local organization of growing repute is making this a reality. FilmEmerge.com, Michigan’s most-visited film resource website in Detroit’s popular TechTown, which provides social media for Michigan’s film and entertainment industry, has acquired the seal of approval from the UAW – all nine Michigan regions controlling all the locals – to provide a variety of film training to UAW members and other displaced Michigan residents.

 

“We were approached by and also researched many film industry training groups, and decided that FilmEmerge was the right company for us, says UAW President Rory Gamble. “They will retrain our displaced workers for Michigan’s emerging film industry. We envision a long relationship and many success stories.”

 

Rory recently invited FilmEmerge to present to 150 UAW regional directors, and then to 400 local UAW leaders and members. Michigan’s upcoming film career opportunities grabbed the attention of everyone in the room.

 

“Through our trainings, hard-working Michigan residents can reinvent themselves and discover the next steps in their career,” says FilmEmerge Co-Founder Jonathan Rayos, who with his partner Jason Waterman, formed the organization nearly one year ago. “Our trainings focus on the film industry’s ‘below-the-line’ jobs, such as production assistance, grip, electrical, lighting, and stage production and carpentry.”  Additionally, UAW displaced workers can take advantage of the federal government’s January, 2009, UAW Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA ) grant program, offering retraining funds from $5000-$10,000.

 

Learn more about FilmEmerge at www.FilmEmerge.com, and to register for quickly-filling trainings and receive special pricing, visit www.FilmEmerge.com/training. Also, visit FilmEmerge at the Plymouth 845 UAW job fair on Wednesday, July 15, from 10 am to 6 pm, on Sheldon Road, in Plymouth, Michigan.

 

FilmEmerge’s vision to create a web-based resource for the Michigan film industry originally began as a film production directory for those offering production services. Today, the site includes more than 270 individual production categories offering a customizable profile with social media components, marketing-friendly URL to attach one’s business name, customizable banner, personalized and up-loadable news, events, videos, area for verified film credits, and ability to share profiles with other social media sites. Additionally, FilmEmerge provides training, web-based marketing for independent filmmakers, and film funding. Already over 1700 people follow FilmEmerge on Twitter — @FilmEmerge — and about 125 join each week.

 

For more info.: Contact Anahid Lisa Derbabian, 248 202.0583, Anahid@integritycommunicationsco.com.


FilmEmerge
FilmEmerge is a movie production resource center providing social media for the Michigan film and entertainment industry. Originally begun as a film production directory for those offering production services, it quickly grew into also a non-profit film foundation for training and education. Currently, FilmEmerge has more than 270 production categories. The differentiator technology of FilmEmerge includes a customizable profile page for directory listings, a marketing-friendly URL to attach one’s business name, a customizable banner, personalized and up loadable news, events, videos, an area for verified film credits, and a Save/Share component to share profiles with other social media sites. www.filmemerge.com

# # #
Jul 20 2009

Unions Seem Determined to Kill Michigan Film Industry

Written By: Jonathan Rayos | Category: News | Comments : 0 comments

A lot can be said about unions supporting wage earners and creating a middle class. However, a lot can also be said about unions ruining this country. Case in point: Michigan.

You would think that after the UAW destroyed the auto industry and the tax base in Michigan, the people of the state and the unions based there would have learned. However, this is not the case. In the latest union disaster for the state of Michigan, the IATSE has decided that the blooming film industry in the state must be stopped before it even gets started.

 

 
As most of you in the film business know, the state of Michigan has one of the most lucrative tax credit/rebate programs in the industry. The state gives you 40% of every qualified dollar that you spend in the state. In addition, if you shoot your film in a few core areas such as Detroit, you will get an additional 2%. That’s a whopping 42% of what the producers’ qualified in Michigan spend. On a 20 million dollar budget, this can amount to a gift from the state of Michigan of approximately 6.5 million dollars after you subtract the non-qualified costs.

 

 
Other states have tax incentives, but none even come close to these numbers. Louisiana, which has the oldest and most tested tax incentive, just increased their program from 25% to 30% and loosened its requirements in order to compete with Michigan. South Carolina is also considering an increase in its program in order to compete.

Smelling blood in the state, IATSE has decided that any economic growth in Michigan caused by this program must be stopped. In the latest deal struck with the AMPTP, the IATSE has changed Michigan’s ten most production friendly counties into the Maryland Rates. The change effects Ann Arbor and Detroit’s scenic and wealthier suburbs.

 

 
You may ask, how is this killing production and the economy in Michigan? Well, prior to this union agreement which takes effect on August 1, 2009, most of Michigan, except for Detroit’s Wayne County, came within the Area Standards rates which cover most of the country, including South Carolina and Louisiana. According to a production executive at my company, the additional cost of the Maryland Rates will be almost $500,000 over the course of an average production. Hence the benefits of the 40% in tax credits is gone.

 

 
Producers will do what they always do and go running for the best deal. With this additional cost in Michigan now, it will probably be back to Louisiana, South Carolina or one of the other states that come within the Area Standards IATSE deal. So, another union is doing its best to destroy Michigan. And yet, the liberal government in Michigan allows this to happen? Why do the people of Michigan sit back and watch their beautiful state head into oblivion?

 

 

 

 

 

by Frank DeMartini