The first incentives to be announced in 2012 by the Michigan Film Office for an entertainment project were approved prior to Dec. 31, using last year’s $25 million incentive fund. The state has yet to award any grants from the current 2012 $25 million fund.
The locally-produced, nationally syndicated children’s TV show, “Ariel, Zoey & Eli, Too,” received an incentive of $191,646 on plans to spend $456,300 in Michigan.
The variety show features 13-year old twins Ariel and Zoey Engelbert and their 10-year old brother, Eli, of Ann Arbor, and is produced by their father. THECOOLTV network carries the show Monday to Friday.
In 2011, 22 projects were approved with incentives awarded in the amount of $24.8 million in incentives for 22 projects that were expected to spend $59.5 million in Michigan, and create 1,952 temporary jobs, with the equivalent of 400 full-time jobs.
EXTRAS AND PROPER ETIQUETTE on film sets Jan. 19 kicks off the Michigan Production Alliance coming year of events. This instructive panel features a panel of five Michigan film industry professionals: Ryan Hill of Ryan Hill Casting (“Red Dawn,” “The Ides of March,” “A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas”); location manager Mike Jones; SAG actress Sonya Avakian; costume and wardrobe designer Bernadine Vida and makeup artist Kimberly Jones.
At Combermere Stage, Troy; Members free, others $7; networking at 6 p.m., program at 7 p.m. Refreshments provided. Click here to register.
OSCAR NIGHT® AMERICA comes to the Goei Center in Grand Rapids Feb. 26, with The Waterfront Film Festival again hosting one of only 50 official Oscar Night® America parties in the U.S.
Tickets for the gala event, where the dress is formal, are $65 to $125 and includes access to multiple bars, specialized food stations, exclusive swag bags, live music, celebrity guests and the same Academy Awards ® program and poster that celebrities receive in Hollywood.
