Jeff Daniels was upset.  Mitch Albom was calm, yet rational.  Yet, it was Philippe Martinez, founder of Maxsar Digital Studios, who summed up the entire night, when he said, “I am pissed off!”

Well over a thousand supporters of Michigan’s homegrown film industry packed into a town hall meeting on Thursday night to listen to speaker after speaker defend Michigan’s tax incentive package aimed at TV and film production.  Actor Jeff Daniels, writer Mitch Albom, Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner, and a string of filmmakers, politicians, producers, and industry insiders took Governor Rick Snyder to task for proposing to eliminate the popular and effective tax incentive and each one had the same message: This isn’t about helping Hollywood.  This is about helping Michigan and creating Michigan jobs.

Several speakers took a non-confrontational approach, aiming to educate the attendees on the true economic impact or how to combat the talking points of those who wish to kill the incentives.  Some, like Daniels, spoke straight from their heart.

Before I even sat down, he [Snyder] said, “I don’t want to kill it.  He gave me the impression that he cared, he understood, and that he got it,” Jeff Daniels said, as he recounted his face-to-face meeting with Snyder and how he was encouraged that the businessman-turned-governor understood the positive economic impact the incentives brought.  Then, he went to Lansing and did what he did.  It felt like I was talking to a politician.  He said one thing and did another.”

The theme of betrayal ran deep throughout the town hall meeting.  From the creation of new production studios, like Maxsar and Raleigh Studios, respectively, to the training and education of crew members, to ancillary businesses boosted by film production, the pervasive sentiment was that the growing industry had been deceived and betrayed by yet another politician.

Whatever the arguments for or against the Michigan Film Tax Credit, the hard numbers don’t lie.  A recent report by Ernst & Young prepared for the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau concludes that for every dollar the states spends on incentives, $5.94 in revenue is generated for Michigan businesses. If you disregard the flippant platitudes and bumper sticker mottos and angry rhetoric, the numbers do look convincing.  One dollar in equals six dollars out, with all income going to Michigan businesses before a dime goes back to production companies.  Speaker after speaker reiterated the same thing: Why kill a program so successful that generates so much money for Michigan and employs so many people in the middle of the worst recession the state has seen in generations? Despite the impressive array of talent and knowledge that took the stage, no one had an answer to that question.

In the end, the film tax credit was the sole reason that the budding Michigan film industry took root and has continued to grow over the past three years.  Its elimination will uproot that industry almost instantly.  Hollywood doesn’t wait for states to work out their problems.  Within 48 hours of Snyder’s speech, the production company for the big-budget superhero movie The Avengers pulled out of Michigan. Inevitably, more and more productions will follow them.

If you believe that state governments should not be in the business of helping foster growth, creating jobs, or supporting businesses, then the death of these incentives are welcome news.  If you believe that the state should use its resources effectively to foster the growth of successful industries, help create decent paying jobs, and help bring more business to a state in dire need of it, then each speaker made it clear what to do.  Call your state representative.  Call your state senator.  Call your governor.  Let your voice be heard.

Author: David London

 

David London is the President and Creative Director of Parliament Studios, a film and video production company in Clawson, Michigan.