Casting calls for new films being shot in Michigan

by: Kathy

Wed Mar 11, 2009 at 11:11:58 AM EDT

Mid-Michigan is about to hit the big screen once again. This Saturday, open auditions for "Minor League, a Football Story" will be held at All Star Sports Bar on Dort Highway in Burton. ...

"We're looking for 10-15 principal roles for the film. These are speaking line roles," Executive Producer Brad Lyon said.

Flint-based Lyon Productions is behind the comedy that's based on a down-and-out minor league football team. MTV veteran Pauly Shore plays a wealthy businessman who swoops in to buy the team.[...]

This time around, Lyon expects to provide jobs for around 80 people.  "We want it to be Flint based. It's about Flint people. We wanted Flint people. We wanted hometown Michigan workers to get the paychecks."

The casting call is Saturday, March 14 at All Star Sports Bar on Dort Highway in Burton from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.  For more information,  call 810-230-7287 or go to the Lyon Productions Web site.

In the Grand Rapids area, American Saga Productions is looking for crew members to work on "The Genesis Code," an $8 million dollar film scheduled to shoot in Lowell and Grand Rapids this spring. A similar call for cast members will go out soon.  The film is about two college students, a hockey player and a newspaper reporter, who struggle to convene their religious faith with their scientific studies.

"'The Genesis Code' movie is crewing up for an April 20 principal photography start date with pre-production starting March 30 in Grand Rapids. Please send electronic submissions to crew@thegenesiscodemovie.com. You MUST include in the subject line the position you are applying for."

People who have already landed jobs on "Minor League, a Football Story" are very happy: "The way the economy has been lately for this town with us losing all of our GM jobs, it's great to have anything." "It shows that Flint can do more than just make cars. It lets people know that Flint isn't just GM anymore and that we can do anything."

Nancy Cassis would like to see the film credits killed because she's jealous, bitter, angry that it wasn't her idea, angry that it makes the governor look good, all of the above, which would effectively kill our burgeoning movie industry and put people out of work. Yet, according to the Michigan Film Office, 35 projects, including 22 feature films, provided jobs for about 2,800 people in our state last year. The last time I checked, Michigan needed more jobs, not less. Would someone please explain that to Nancy?  

Don't Let Dems Film Industry Plan Linger

by: Kathy

Sun Mar 09, 2008 at 14:40:20 PM EDT

Columnist Mitch Albom spoke at the hearing and called the 16 bills "the best package I've seen" to encourage moviemaking anywhere in the country.  Actor Jeff Daniels also appeared before the committee and had this to say.

Jobs.  It will create jobs.  Instantly create jobs.  It will put people to work and what's real encouraging is all the phone calls I've been getting from L.A. producers who are asking, "is the incentive package going to pass?" because they will bring their film here.  Mitch Albom's got those same calls as has Mike Binder and Jan Lockwood at the Film Commission.  They're paying attention to what the state is doing and if the state does pass this, they will bring their movies here and they will need people on their crews.

Jim Epolito, president and chief executive officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corp, echoed that sentiment when he spoke Friday at the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce.  He touted the possible tax breaks for the film industry and said if the bill passes, eight to 10 films could be made in Michigan this year and could pump $100 million to $200 million into the state's economy.

And State Representative Andy Meisner, Chair of the House Commerce Committee, had this to say:  "These film incentives will help us immediately create jobs and boost our economy.  It's imperative that we get this plan moving now, so we can compete with other states for motion pictures and other commercial productions."

Competition? We don't have to look too far to find a state breathing down our necks. From Saturday's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: