Category:
Movies
Dear Senator Beida, I support the Michigan Film Tax Credit because it puts people to work... film and music people, Michigan Electricians and Carpenters, and others... immediately. Also it supports Michigan Hardware stores, Lumber Yards, Rental Cars, Catering Businesses, and other businesses that hire employees that pay taxes as they earn money.
No other industry has brought work into our state this quickly. The tax credit only applies to money spent on hiring Michigan citizens and Michigan services and the Film Incentives bring jobs into our state...and maybe more importantly can help keep the creative and entrepreneurial skilled young people from moving away like they have over the last 50+ years.
I am a partner in the Harmonie Park Media Group in Downtown Detroit. We have 3 major film projects on the table with a group out of the UK, Dream On Productions. They are planning to spend their collective budgets of 50+ million dollars here in Michigan. One is a movie about Northern Soul and how Motown influenced the people of the UK, one another involves one of the biggest POP stars on the planet, and the other will feature the music of former Michigander and Hall of Famer Alice Cooper and others...who will all have to come to Detroit to record...which they all are excited to do.
After the Dream On Production team visited us and met the talented people that could help make their movies, they were blown away by how strong our infrastructure has become in a short time. They never expected to meet so many talented and accommodating people. Dream On Productions also wants to set up an office in Harmonie Park for the next 3 years, maybe more, and staff it with their employees to help work on these projects and to also bring more projects here.
All of this has come to a screeching halt because of the Governor's speech last week. We are devastated because the Film office has said they are currently operating under what the Governor has proposed even before their is a vote...not good.
We have just started to make some great strides working with Film Industry people and this could cripple us and potentially crush the future growth of our business.
We hope, Senator Levin, that you will seriously consider leaving these incentives in place and discussing modifications with the people here that have led the charge for the Incentive, Mitch Albom, Jeff Daniels, Mike Binder, Emery King and others. These are highly respected and bright leaders in our business and I trust between all of you that the right compromise can be reached.
I would like to know where you stand on this so please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience...email
brian@harmoniepark.com or call me on my cell...xxx.xxx.xxxx
Harmonie Park is involved in some incredible music and new media initiatives.
UDetroit ... Bringing the Best of Detroit & Michigan Together!
I believe the Film Incentives can do this is as good or better than any new industry coming to our State!
Look forward to hearing from you,
Kindest Regards,
Brian Pastoria
Partner - Harmonie Park Media Group
1427 Randolph
Detroit, MI 48226
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