Detroit Films

The Michigan tax credit for filmmaking and production has been met with skepticism. Over 100 major films have been shot in the state since legislation was passed in 2008, giving filmmakers up to a 42 percent tax break on project costs. That number does not include the countless independent and low-budget movies produced, several television series and a blossoming video game production industry that also reaps benefit from the breaks.

But alas, this doesn’t seem to be enough evidence for some lawmakers. Therefore, there’s an obvious need for creative ways to draw even more Hollywood types to the state. We should start by making them feel more at home. Let’s explore some ideas:

Iconic Signage

Every city needs a landmark attraction. Visitors to the Los Angeles area would be remiss not to sneak a peak of the famed Hollywood sign. Detroit needs one of those . . . one that echos the fantasy of moviemaking the original envokes, yet stays true to its roots. Since we have no hills to station our version, we must look for other areas that are easily spotted. What better place than the front of the abandoned Detroit Train Depot!

Artist's rendering of the prosposed Detroit 'Motorwood' sign

Already a favorite shooting location (Transformers, The Island), the train station is an ideal location for the proposed “Motorwood” sign. Drivers would easily see the sign from I-75 when entering the city from the south. There’s no worry of obstructing the view of office workers. Best of all, it makes full-time use of an otherwise non-functioning structure in the city. If “Motorwood” is not the right choice, alternates abound: Detroitywood, Hotown (a play on ‘Motown’), Chillywood, etc. Feel free to come up with your own.

Familiar Ornamentation

It must be difficult working in the sometime harsh climate of Michigan weather. Especially if you’re accustomed to the sun soaked surroundings of the west coast. The very least we as hosts can do to make Californians feel more at home is to offer them some of the comfortable sites of home. A sure-fire way to do this is to implement a temporary palm tree project.

Example of the creative use of shubbery in Detroit to remind fimmakers of home

Of course, there is the issue of viability. No palm tree could possibly survive a harsh Michigan winter. Enter: domed glass mobile greenhouses. These would essentially kill two birds with one stone. The trees would be enclosed in heated units that would provide the necessary temperatures required. These mini greenhouses would also be on wheels, which allows for easy transport to the latest Hollywood location shoot. The trees move with our guests. Plus, what Michigander wouldn’t mind driving down the road and spying the soothing image of a tropical palm? It’s a win-win, really.

Joe, Meet Oscar

Finally, we should investigate low-cost alternatives to erecting monuments that illicit a positive feeling in the minds of Hollywood visitors. Everybody knows what the Oscar statuette looks like, but to filmmakers, The Academy Award is the ultimate representation of achievement in their field. Call us crazy, but think of the Subconscious inner workings that would be mustered if these filmmakers drove down Jefferson Avenue and saw the most famous fist in the world holding the most famous, erm, gold guy in the world . . .

Think of it as a monument mashup

Tom Cruise will be in town soon to film his scenes for the upcoming remake of Red Dawn (name-drop moment: we recently had the chance to chat with the DOP of Red Dawn, Mitch Amundsen. Great guy). Now, imagine the scenerio: Cruise is in downtown Detroit and he sees the modified monument. Could this cross his mind- “Hey, an Oscar. I need one of those. Maybe Red Dawn is going to be the one. God, I love Detroit. I bet it’s a great place to bring up a family. And my wife is from Toledo. That does it, we’re moving.” It’s entirely possible. But not unless we green light this project, immediately. We’re sure some would blanch at the prospect of modifying a well-loved monument like the Joe Louis fist. But how do we know whether Joe could have ever actually won an oscar? Did he ever try? No. So, who are we to say the idea is simply fulfilling a promise of what might have been?

In closing it should be noted that the Michigan legislature should look beyond the concept of cutting the tax incentive and toward more novel ideas of luring Hollywood here to our great state. These are but a few ideas to do exactly that. Maybe you have some of your own? Feel free to expound in our comment section.