The State of Michigan‘s recent film incentive bills created an abundance of production activity in 2008 for Farmington Hills based hdstudios. Feature films and other entertainment projects continue to pour into Michigan in 2009, and Hollywood production companies are utilizing the sound stages, film processing lab, and post-production services at hdstudios, a division of Grace & Wild, Inc.
“We’re just now catching our breath after the past eight month whirlwind of work,” said Ginny Hart, hdstudios vice president of sales. “Looking forward to 2009, we already have stages and services scheduled into the summer and expect activity to continue increasing.”
The hdstudios facility is located within Studio Center, the only Hollywood-style production studio lot in Michigan and home to the State’s leading entertainment services and production businesses. Of the three stages managed by hdstudios at Studio Center, ‘A’ stage is the largest sound stage in Michigan. It provides over 30,000 sq./ft. of studio space, set building, catering, offices and scene storage. Studio Center, with 4 buildings encompassing more than 6 acres, is the largest production facility between New York and Los Angeles.
According to Steve Wild, president of Grace & Wild, Inc., “We take calls on a daily basis from producers interested in coming to Michigan to take advantage of the film incentives. Grace & Wild’s resources within hdstudios, combined with the other resident companies at Studio Center, have become the focal point for Michigan’s film community.” He continued, “The ‘turn-key’ resources span the full spectrum of facilities, talent and technology required to serve the film making industry at ‘Hollywood’ standards. In fact, the film lab at hdstudios is the only motion picture processing laboratory in the State, and has processed over 1 million feet of film since the incentives were passed almost one year ago.”
“The Studio Center business complex was originally created for complementary media resources to be located together providing a wide range of services for mutual customers,” said Allan Rothfeder, managing partner for Studio Center. “With the advent of this legislation, the complex has been able to add feature filmmakers to its existing client base of advertising agencies and business communicators. In the past year, we provided office suites to feature filmmakers and are talking with several production companies looking for office space in the coming months. Studio Center still has several private office suites available and is seeking additional complementary businesses to continue expanding the resources on site.”
Just a few of the high-profile productions to utilize hdstudios‘ entertainment services in recent months include:
• “Demoted”, from Parallel Media, settled into production offices at Studio Center in July, 2008. Shot largely on location around Metro-Detroit, hdstudios completed the 16mm film processing, provided the film transfer and duplication of DVD dailies. The crew also spent time on hdstudios‘ A-Stage, completing several scenes and a special effects stunt. “Demoted” stars include Michael Vartan (star of “Alias”), Sean Astin (“The Hobbit”) and David Cross (“Arrested Development”).
• “High School”, Parallel Media‘s second feature, began production on location at Howell High School in November, 2008 with director of photography Mitchell Amundsen. hdstudios completed the 35mm film processing, provided the film transfer and duplication of DVD dailies. Studio Center and hdstudios also provided editorial offices and equipment for Parallel feature editor, Gabriel Wrye, to cut footage during the production. “High School” stars Adrien Brody (Best Actor Academy Award ® winner for “The Pianist”) and Michael Chiklis (“The Shield”).
• “Offspring”, directed by Andrew van den Houten, arrived at hdstudios in late 2008 for 16mm film processing and film transfer. In early 2009, van den Houten returned to hdstudios for visual effects, HD post, sound design and 5:1 final audio mix. “Offspring” is based on a novel written by Jack Ketchum.
• “Miss January” came to A-Stage in September to build and shoot on five interior sets. The stage scenes captured several flash-back scenes for one of the characters. “Miss January” stars Kim Cattrall (“Sex & The City”) and Brian Dennehy.
• “Prayers for Bobby”, a Lifetime Television Movie starring Sigourney Weaver, visited hdstudios‘ A-Stage in June. hdstudios provided stage services for build and shoot days for scenes of an interior attic bedroom and hallway. The laboratory also completed the 16mm film processing.
Current Studio Center tenants in addition to Parallel Media, include lighting supplier Detroit Power & Light, equipment rental company Fletcher Camera & Lenses, and television production company Thumbprint Entertainment. Other recent feature film work serviced by Studio Center resident companies include “Betty Anne Waters”, “The Man Who Collected Food”, “America”, “The Anatomy of Hate”, “Red and Blue Marbles”, “Whip It”, “Street Boss”, “TUG”, “Hopefull Notes”, “Cherry”, “The Job”, “Virgin on Bourbon Street”, “Cyrus”, “Gifted Hands”, “Intent”, “The Myth of the American Sleepover”, “Deadheads”, “Steam Experiment” and the ABC pilot “Prince of Motor City”.
Studio Center, Michigan’s most prestigious communications complex, offers private suites and shared offices available in a creative and tranquil environment. For leasing information, please contact Allan Rothfeder at 248.471.1110.
Detroit Power & Light provides an extensive range of production lighting services and equipment–from complete custom-designed systems and HMI’s to simple items like shot bags and expendables. Please contact Wil Laneski at 248.476.3737 for more information.
Fletcher Camera & Lenses is a nationally known rental facility featuring Arriflex 16 & 35mm Film (Arricam LT & ST) and Digital (D-21, F35 and Red) camera rental house with offices in both Detroit and Chicago. Fletcher has serviced 10 projects in Michigan to date. For more information, please contact Stephen Early at 248.471.9906.
Thumbprint Entertainment produces unscripted, reality and documentary programming for national and international television distribution. For more information call David Karp at 248.478.8899.
Grace & Wild, Inc. offers a wide variety of creative and technical services within the audio, video, and film industry via its operating divisions hdstudios, Postique, Griot Editorial, Emerge, Division X and Filmcraft Imaging. Clients include broadcast advertising agencies, business communicators, government entities, and entertainment companies. Capabilities include sound stage rental; studio and remote video production; motion picture processing and printing; film-to-video transfer; new media development specializing in interactive video and rich media; CGI/3D computer animation and effects; video editing; audio recording and mixing; creative editorial services and supervision; mass and custom duplication; 24P HD video equipment rental; and new media development, authoring, and replication. For demonstrations and information, contact Grace & Wild, Inc. at 23689 Industrial Park Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48335, or call (248) 471-6010 or (800) 451-6010.
