Michigan continues to make inroads into the motion picture industry as planned production studios in Detroit and Pontiac are expected to bring more than 5,800 jobs to the state.
The former MGM Grand temporary casino just outside downtown Detroit will be home to the Detroit Center Studios, Michigan Economic Development Corp. spokesman Mike Shore said Tuesday.
About 20 miles northwest of Detroit, Motown Motion Pictures LLC plans to invest about $70 million in a 600,000-square-foot development with nine sound stages in Pontiac.
“It makes us a 12-months-a-year film center,” said Chris Baum, senior vice president of sales and marketing at the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau and Film Detroit.
“It makes us a legitimate contender — the studios on the ground and best incentives in the country.”
Michigan is one of the most financially attractive states in the nation in which to make movies. Film studios can receive a refundable credit of up to 42% on production expenses in the state.
A state tax credit of $16.9 million over 12 years has been approved for Detroit Center Studios which expects to create 700 jobs. Motown Motion Pictures is expected to bring in more than 5,130 jobs and will get a tax credit of $101 million over 12 years.
“None of these tax credits go to the companies until they meet the terms of the investment and hire people,” Shore said.
The new studios will help keep some existing jobs in a state ravaged by the troubles of U.S. automakers and an unfriendly economy, Baum said.
“It’s about retaining jobs for industries like hotels and restaurants,” he said. “The films that will come to Detroit this year will keep people employed.”
The state’s film office in Lansing has approved 71 scripts. About half are expected to be shot in Michigan this year, Baum said.
DGA Feature Nominees: Audiard, Baker, Berger, Corbet and Mangold
The field of feature nominees for the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards spanning two categories is set. Nominated for the DGA honor for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 are: Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez, Sean Baker for Anora, Edward Berger for Conclave, Brady Corbet for The Brutalist, and James Mangold for A Complete Unknown.
The DGA also revealed the nominees for the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film. The first-time narrative feature directors are: Payal Kapadia for All We Imagine as Light, Megan Park for My Old Ass, RaMell Ross for Nickel Boys, Halfdan Ullman Tondel for Armand, and Sean Wang for Diddy.
“2024 has been a truly extraordinary year for storytelling--and today’s nominees have created audacious and unique films that expand the possibilities of cinematic excellence,” said DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter. “I am thrilled to congratulate all our nominated directors for their brilliant work, which is visionary, inspirational and speaks to the depth of the human experience. To be chosen by one’s peers is the true marker of outstanding directorial achievement and what makes these nominations so very special.”
The winners will be announced at the 77th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 8.
Here’s a fuller rundown of the nominees in both DGA Award categories:
THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 (in alphabetical order):
JACQUES AUDIARD
Emilia Pérez
(Netflix)
SEAN... Read More