Michigan may soon rival Hollywood as filmmakers’ heaven
Some people get to turn their hobby into a career when they lose their job in a recession, and now may be a good time for all those wannabe filmmakers to get their degree as careers may soon abound in Michigan.
The state has been hit hard by the current downturn, but the government’s efforts to turn it into a film industry hub through a generous refundable business tax credit of up to 42 percent on production expenses seem to be paying off.
Starts like George Clooney, Al Pacino or Clint Eastwood have been spotted in Michigan, and industry professionals have been scouting locations for their latest ventures, according to USA Today.
Quoting figures from the Michigan Film Office, the source says 35 films were made in the state after the credit was enacted in 2008, as compared to two in 2007. So far this year, a total of 85 applications have been filed.
Those who are dreaming of making it big on the other side of the camera have a range of art degrees to choose from at colleges around the country.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for producers and directors will grow by 11 percent until at least 2016, and the most successful of them can make millions of dollars a year.
