Mark Adler is a key video assist operator for motion pictures and commercials as well as a director of the Michigan Production Alliance, a trade organization for the film industry. The column is in response to state lawmakers, who passed a bill this past week killing film incentives. The bill is before the governor.

By Mark Adler


Mark Adler

Michigan has been a production center for over 70 years creating a base of workers working on broadcast commercials as well as films. The strong ‘work ethic’ of Michigan crews is becoming well known across the United States.

They have made their livings, paid mortgages and sent their kids to college on this income.

On that foundation stands an infrastructure of stages and facilities that had been failing due to changes in the world’s economy. Our wish is, to rebuild and grow that industry, to encourage diversification of the economy, business investments and the creation of jobs. THAT was the purpose of Michigan’s film and digital media program.

The reason Michigan’s program hasn’t grown in the given amount of years is that the state has started and stopped aspects of the program several times. Films must plan 6 -9 months to a year out.  If a state’s program can’t remain stable that work will disappear or go to another state.

The worst was in 2011 when it all had to be retooled. Few projects came to Michigan until late 2012. Because of the bad press we receive when changes are even mentioned in the media, producers from all over the WORLD react and see Michigan’s actions in this regard as schizophrenic.

The goal is to move workers and business around as well as infrastructure and to become economically stable, get some traction, then funding can be can be thoughtfully adjusted.

Look to Georgia. Its program is now stable and the legislature is going to make small changes.  The sunset for our current program is 2021.

A  buzz word to keep in mind is “sustainable.’ Projects like episodic television (187, Low Winter Sun) are sustainable and work we should seek. The Film Office and MEDC should be leading that effort especially now that HB4122 has passed.

Thinking brick and mortar?

We challenge you to find your local Amway outlet. Film projects do not require new pavement or pipes to be put in. They drop into a city, shoot, spend a lot of money, and this cycle can just continue.

Just because a brick and mortar company sets up shop in Michigan does not guarantee it will survive. Restaurants, Dollar Stores, Boutiques, and the like fail all the time. The film industry is viable and proven.

Finally, big films like Batman and OZ were here for over a year.

But even for smaller films, certain departments begin early and others end late closing down.

That means that even though Batman v Superman has completed filming, they are STILL spending money in Michigan.

Some people working on these films decide to move to Michigan AND a great many Michigan EX patriots would love to come back IF they could find the work.