Michigan

Locals get chance of a ‘Lifetime’ in new movie

Don’t be surprised to hear “quiet on the set,” or “action” as you’re strolling around town this summer. 

State lawmakers passed tax incentives for the film industry this past winter in an effort to boost the state economy. The measure allows filmmakers to receive as much as a 42-percent tax credit for equipment, wages, travel expenses, catering, set construction, craft services, bonding and insurance costs.

And filmmakers are taking the bait.

Birmngham Groves High School theater teacher John Rutherford got wind of the need for local actors and moved fast to get his students up to speed on casting-call protocol.  “It’s nothing like auditioning for theater,” he said. “All the kids needed a head shot, a resume, and they needed to understand how to prepare for a screen test.”

It paid off.

Eight students from Groves High School landed parts last month for the Lifetime Original Movie production of “Prayers for Bobby.” The film stars Sigourney Weaver and tells the story Mary Griffith, who can’t accept that her son Bobby is gay. She attempts to “cure” Bobby of his homosexuality. Bobby, hopeless and distraught, commits suicide, forcing the family to confront its guilt and grief.

“When I saw how many high school-age actors they needed for this film, I immediately thought of John and his theater program,” said casting director Janet Pound. “I knew he’d be able to send us the caliber of talent we needed.” The Groves actors beat out actors in Los Angeles for their parts.

Groves students cried on cue, dressed like characters in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, got trailers with their names on them, and sat in makeup next to Weaver.

“It felt really cool to be in the middle of it all when we were filming in a church parking lot,” said Anna Bandalamenti, a Groves junior, who plays Bobby’s girlfriend. “People in the neighborhood kept stopping by asking what was going on.”

And it’s only beginning, said Jeffrey Spilman, managing partner of the S3 Entertainment Group, a full-services film production company based in Los Angeles and Troy.

S3 is working with Clint Eastwood’s film production of “Gran Torino” in the Detroit area, although he couldn’t say specifically where, due to security concerns. He couldn’t talk about the plot, other than to say that Eastwood is directing and starring in the film, and some parts are being cast locally.

He said eight feature film companies have contracted with his company to come to Michigan for some or all of the services his company offers. He said the tax incentives would bring hundreds of millions of dollars to the state.

“They’re not necessarily looking to film specific Michigan locations,” he explained. “We’re blessed with … natural beauty. Lakes can be oceans. Urban centers can look like any city. The sand dunes on the west side of the state can depict the desert. Landmarks are the exception, rather than the rule.”

Film production companies need a variety of services, Spilman explained. “They need people to work the cameras, decorate sets, operate audio and film equipment, people to build the sets, caterers to feed the crews, travel services, logistical assistance, help with tax incentive information and warehouses to store the equipment.”

They try to hire as much of the crew locally as possible, he said.

He said that a new organization, the Michigan Film Institute, is working with local community colleges to provide entry-level vocational training for various technical aspects of the film industry. “Some classes are expected to be offered as early as this fall,” he said.

Feature film productions can bring as many as 100 people to the area for as long as 60 days, he said. “That means at least 3,000 hotel nights. These people are also buying clothes in retail stores, dining in restaurants, attending sporting events and spending money here. The companies also need lots of office space. This has positive impact. Excitement is in the air.”

Source: http://www.candgnews.com/Homepage-Articles/2008/06-11-08/TF-HOLLYWOOD.asp