While the idea of a conservative governor “wanting” to tax “big firms” pleases me, “significant” cut backs in other areas such as the Michigan film industry is disheartening. The Detroit Free Press acknowledges MI Gov. Rick Snyder’s plan to eliminate the current MI Business Tax and reinstating a 6 percent corporate income tax. Good idea. Though, Snyder’s choice to cut other areas such as the film industry will spoil economic progress for the state, in my opinion. The MI film industry is in its youth, small tweaks could be made by MI government in regards to the percentage of tax incentives. Still, Michigan’s film industry is more than inviting, and in a related article in The Det. Free Press illustrates my point: http://www.freep.com/article/20110126/NEWS06/101260426/-Oz-may-lead-Depp-Michigan. Disney wants to do an “Oz” (Wizard of OZ) movie with Johnny Depp, a “$105 million production,” to be shot at a studio in Pontiac, MI (Det. Free Press). Because of MI tax incentives for movies, genius and profound films such as Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino,” (Golden Globe Winner) were produced in Michigan. How cool is that? Very cool. Eastwood’s production team hired an array of MI natives for help from consulting, crew, production assistants, Hmong people, to extras. Also, in the works, is a beautifully sublime and compelling novel possibly being made into film called “U.P.” by R.A. Riekki, whose hometown is Negaunee, MI. Riekki resides in L.A. currently, and his novel aroused interests by fellow Negaunee native Steven Wiig and Wiig’s friend Sean Penn. Wouldn’t Michigan like to accommodate our own as well as make money? Imagine… Imagine the culture the film industry inspires, and then imagine the revenue.
I agree with you completely, Tara. I believe those steering Michigan are missing an incredible opportunity right now to tap into our rich cultural history and resources. Such focus and emphasis has been placed on developing Michigan's economy around the extraction of natural resources, which is, in many ways, short-sighted, unsustainable and potentially damaging. We have a diverse citizenry, a city (Detroit) that is the birthplace of a multitude of musical genres and figures, a traditional music scene and festival circuit that rivals any in the country and a history filled with nationally-significant people, events and places. There is, I believe and as you have pointed out Tara with your information on the MI film industry, great potential here to build a dynamic, multi-faceted, long-sighted and diverse economy.
While the idea of a conservative governor “wanting” to tax “big firms” pleases me, “significant” cut backs in other areas such as the Michigan film industry is disheartening. The Detroit Free Press acknowledges MI Gov. Rick Snyder’s plan to eliminate the current MI Business Tax and reinstating a 6 percent corporate income tax. Good idea. Though, Snyder’s choice to cut other areas such as the film industry will spoil economic progress for the state, in my opinion. The MI film industry is in its youth, small tweaks could be made by MI government in regards to the percentage of tax incentives. Still, Michigan’s film industry is more than inviting, and in a related article in The Det. Free Press illustrates my point: http://www.freep.com/article/20110126/NEWS06/101260426/-Oz-may-lead-Depp-Michigan. Disney wants to do an “Oz” (Wizard of OZ) movie with Johnny Depp, a “$105 million production,” to be shot at a studio in Pontiac, MI (Det. Free Press).
ReplyDeleteBecause of MI tax incentives for movies, genius and profound films such as Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino,” (Golden Globe Winner) were produced in Michigan. How cool is that? Very cool. Eastwood’s production team hired an array of MI natives for help from consulting, crew, production assistants, Hmong people, to extras. Also, in the works, is a beautifully sublime and compelling novel possibly being made into film called “U.P.” by R.A. Riekki, whose hometown is Negaunee, MI. Riekki resides in L.A. currently, and his novel aroused interests by fellow Negaunee native Steven Wiig and Wiig’s friend Sean Penn. Wouldn’t Michigan like to accommodate our own as well as make money? Imagine… Imagine the culture the film industry inspires, and then imagine the revenue.
I agree with you completely, Tara. I believe those steering Michigan are missing an incredible opportunity right now to tap into our rich cultural history and resources. Such focus and emphasis has been placed on developing Michigan's economy around the extraction of natural resources, which is, in many ways, short-sighted, unsustainable and potentially damaging. We have a diverse citizenry, a city (Detroit) that is the birthplace of a multitude of musical genres and figures, a traditional music scene and festival circuit that rivals any in the country and a history filled with nationally-significant people, events and places. There is, I believe and as you have pointed out Tara with your information on the MI film industry, great potential here to build a dynamic, multi-faceted, long-sighted and diverse economy.
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