Below is a link to MFO's Semi Annual Report dated January 13 2012. It shows a snapshot of applications and denials for the end of 2011. It also indicates that several commercial producers applied and were denied.

For your review:

MFO REPORT

Hello Members!

New feature films have been added to our film grid. The grid has become smaller as a result of proposed changes to the incentive program. New additions are marked in RED.

Visit MPA's Film Grid - ONLY for MPA members!

MPA Note: 2/1/12

Note that Michigan Incentive Applications are Refundable. The program is no longer a credit but a CASH INCENTIVE. Very fast approval time, Very fast AND correct audit times! SHOOT Michigan!

Friends –

I wanted to send out a reminder that the new application for the Michigan Film and Digital Media Incentive is now available on www.michiganfilmoffice.org.  Please be sure to read the new FAQ document as well.  This document lays out the policies and procedures the Film Office will be utilizing as we review applications moving forward. 

The Film Office began accepting applications on Monday, January 9.  Please note that moving forward, incomplete applications will have 5 business days to submit any missing information requested by the Film Office or the application will be considered insufficient and the file will be closed.  Once the Film Office determines an application is complete, a final determination of approval or denial will be delivered within 21 days.

Our office is here to assist at any point in the process should you have any questions.

As we move into 2012, the next meeting of the Michigan Film Office Advisory Council has been scheduled for January 20 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation here in Lansing.  For more details visit the MFOAC page on our website.  We look forward to welcoming our new members to the council and as always this meeting is open to the public.

And for the latest in bringing you new and timely information, be sure to check out the new RSS feed feature in the upper right hand corner of the Film Office website.  Available RSS feeds include cast and crew opportunities, as well as press releases and information on film festivals in Michigan.  And don’t forget to like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

In closing, the Film Office wishes you a Happy New Year.  We are looking forward to a busy and successful 2012 in Michigan’s film industry.

Best,

Carrie

Carrie Jones, Director

Michigan Film Office

Phone: 517-335-7197

Email: jonesc@michigan.org

Web: www.michiganfilmoffice.org

Snyder signs new film incentive program, battery production tax credit into law Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011

LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday signed legislation that will help the advanced battery manufacturing and film industries grow while ensuring that economic development incentives awarded by the state are used to create jobs.

"The goal of these changes is to make sure that economic incentives result in job creation," Snyder said.

Senate Bill 569, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, replaces film credits that are currently hidden in the tax code with a $25 million budget appropriation for the new Film and Digital Media Production Assistance Program, which the Michigan Film Office will run. To qualify for funding, an eligible production company must have direct production expenditures and/or Michigan personnel expenditures of at least $100,000.

Under the new legislation, the Michigan Film Office must also create a publicly available performance dashboard, which will include specific measures including the amount of each incentive dispersed for each state-certified qualified production.

Gov. Snyder today also signed S.B. 855, sponsored by state Sen. Mike Kowall, which authorizes the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) to enter into agreements to provide incentives for the construction of advanced battery manufacturing facilities, but scales back the amount of incentives that can be offered and requires jobs to be created in order for companies to receive the incentives.

"As we work to bring new investment and create jobs, it is vital that we leverage Michigan's rich and varied asset base," said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. "The advanced battery and film production sectors offer significant opportunities to take advantage of our high quality talent. These credits will enable us to continue to attract major projects in both sectors within a targeted and fiscally responsible framework."

S.B. 569 and 855 are now Public Acts 291 and 292 of 2011.

----------------------------------------------

In A Nutshell Cash Incentive Program

SB 569

• To be eligible, projects must have expenditures of $100,000 or more.
• Percentages

1. 27% of direct production expenditures (goods and services purchased in the state)
2. Michigan Personnel Expenditures (resident above and below the line)

• 32% through January 1, 2015
• 27% after January 1, 2015

1. Crew Personnel Expenditures (non-resident below the line)

• 25% through January 1, 2013   (2012)
• 20% through January 1, 2014   (2013)
• 15% through January 1, 2015   (2014)
• 10% after January 1, 2015         (2015 and beyond)

1. Qualified Personnel Expenditures (non-resident above the line)

• 27% through January 1, 2015
• 12% after January 1, 2015

1. 3% for expenditures at a qualified facility or postproduction facility
2. Payments for MI producers shall not exceed 10% of expenditures, 5% for non-MI producers

• Not less than 5% of the funding awarded shall be awarded for postproduction expenditures for qualified productions.
• Application fee equal to .2% of the funding request (minimum $200, max $5,000). REFUNDABLE
  
  • The Film Office must process the application within 21 days after the application is complete as determined by the office.
  • Participants receiving production assistance funds will be required to include an acknowledgement provided by the Michigan Film Office that promotes the Pure Michigan tourism campaign or any successor campaign.
  • Funding may be reallocated at the end of each fiscal year from unclaimed certificates of completion.
  • For interactive games, eligible production company need not possess ownership or legal control of intellectual property rights.
  • A television show may submit an application for no more than two successive seasons, notwithstanding the fact that the successive seasons have not been ordered.
  • The Michigan Film Office must disclose the identity and amount of all gifts, grants and other donations on its website.
  • The Film Office must submit a quarterly status report to the Legislature.
  • Commercials are not eligible.
  • Sunsets September 30, 2017.

AT MPA's October meeting we asked you all to bring a friend and help us grow! After a surge under MI incentives people have become discouraged! Don't be, keep your skills up, learn new things and maintain your network with us! We meet on the THIRD THURSDAYS of each month. So January's meeting will be on Thursday January 19 2012. 6:30 for networking 7pm presentation begins.

We have been developing new benefits for memberships such as free enter to films and discounts for services. We will unveil these new benefits to you on that day!

Membership is not expensive! JOIN MPA! AND we offer discounts for Union members!

Benefits of joining MPA include:

Networking Opportunities

Our Film Grid

Free Films several times a year!

Free Meeting access

Discounts on Insurance!

 AND MORE TO COME discounts from vendors and spas....

MPA activities traditionally slow as summer work increases! We will be planning sessions for Sept - May in July.

Stay tuned for sudden social opportunities though!

Testimony of Erin Cummings before the Senate Economic Development Committee on Friday 13 May 2011 at Raleigh Studios stage 4.

Testimony

Production Community and Industry Members!

We are fighting for our industry in the halls of the Senate and in the Media. The latest tool we have is MPA's Keep 'Em Rolling PSA.

Directed by Mike Chait Produced by a team including Teresa Liming, Ellen Finn Mark Adler this spot is going out over the net and broadcast channels.

Watch it, send it, talk it up!

MPA's Keep 'Em Rolling PSA

The Michgian Film Office has finally released their guidelines which will be used to select projects for appoval. Many of these "weights" have been used and have been in the CURRENT law.

Thank you for your patience while we worked to establish the process and guidelines that we will utilize to approve applications currently in our pipeline and for the remainder of 2011.

As previously stated, the Film Office is operating under the directive of the governor’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2012.  Given that we have finite resources to work with, it is our intention that every project approved by the state be one that will be a good investment for our taxpayers.

To that end, we will be rigorously employing the criteria in the current statute to guide us in our decisions.

Preference will be given to projects that best meet the following criteria:

1.       The production company is financially viable

2.       Utilization of existing infrastructure (studios, post-production facilities, film labs etc.)

3.       The number and wage levels of direct jobs for Michigan residents created by a production

4.       Ability to show Michigan in a positive light and promote the state  as a tourist destination

5.       Magnitude of estimated expenditures in Michigan

The applications will receive a thorough review for economic benefit by a MEDC committee comprised of the Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications, the Senior Vice President of Policy, the Vice President of Business Development and the Director of the Michigan Film Office. This is true of applications across the board, regardless of where they may be in current review process.

This program continues to be jointly administered by the Michigan Film Office and the Department of Treasury and any project approved must be approved with the consensus of the state treasurer.

With the process and guidelines now in place we expect to convene our review group and move forward with approving 2011 projects as soon as possible.  However, these guidelines could be impacted by any bills that may be in development by the legislature.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions.

Best,

Carrie Jones, Director

Michigan Film Office

Phone: 517-335-7197

Email: jonesc@michigan.org

Web: www.michiganfilmoffice.org