Michigan film spending jumped to $214 million in 2009. More than 130 applications for movie and TV show projects were approved for the incentives, and 84 projects finished filming already.
That’s almost double the $125 million spent in the state in 2008, which created 2,763 production-related jobs, and a giant leap over the total 44 productions made in Michigan from 2000 through 2007.
Although Michigan’s budding film and TV production industry has already attracted A-list stars such as George Clooney and Robert DeNiro, 2010 could be the year when it really takes off, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Much depends on whether lawmakers in Lansing continue to support the film tax breaks that cover up to 42% of production costs for movies and TV shows filmed in Michigan.
The industry’s fate in the state also hinges on whether three proposed metro Detroit studios finally get up and running. Since the incentives went into effect in April 2008, only one new production studio has been created — 10 West Studios in Manistee, focusing on small-budget films.
