Detroit Ranked as a '10 Best Cities To Live, Work & Make Movies in 2010'

For today's independent moviemakers some contend that bigger budgets open up more creative options, while others maintain that limited budgets have a better chance of generating true innovation.

An increasing number of independent moviemakers have made the leap from moviegoer to moviemaker. They have been lured in by the low cost of production, newer digital technologies which has lowered the barriers to accessible equipment, and changes in the way films are distributed.

MovieMaker magazine editors have followed the trend in the past few years, as to track these changes in movie making locales. The traditional "cinema cities' such as Los Angeles and New York City has parted ways to previouly under-utilized areas such as Shreveport, Louisiana and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Upstart metropolitan areas such as Boston; Austin, Texas; Detroit, Michigan; and Philadelphia--have all broken the barriers for independent, lower budget moviemakers, while opening up the awareness to larger Hollywood production companies.

In Moviemaker's 10th annual ranking of the country's best cities to be an independent moviemaker, Detroit, Michigan--the 'MotorCity Capital' of the world has made it to the #8 spot.

(Article abstract by Julie Jacobs with Jennifer M. Wood of MovieMaker Magazine. For the full version of the article click here or pick up a copy of MovieMaker's Winter 2010 edition.)

2 Years On Michigan's 42% Film Tax Rebate Incentive Still Leads the Nation!

Kudos to our State of Michigan Film Office for their support of having the Country's leading film tax rebate incentive of 42%. Since the film tax incentive was passed two years ago, we have produced over 150 feature films, including Oscar nominated movie 'Up In The Air', directed by Jason Reitman, starring George Clooney.

Two years ago, Clint Eastwood starred and directed 'Gran Torino', which opened up the gates from Hollywood producers and independent movie studio production companies to come to Michigan.

FilmEmerge.com Quietly Launches in 2009 as an Online Portal for Michigan Film Production Resources

Two years ago, in July 2008, two Michigan guys had the vision that our emerging film industry needed a online portal for production resources that was focused on the needs of filmmakers. FilmEmerge.com was created for Michigan's film productions with location directors and producers coming into town.

Our first year of launch was done without much pomp and circumstance. We had no launch party. We did not inform the media or the even the Michigan Film Office. We presented FilmEmerge to the local film community with a viral marketing strategy, by hosting events and being involved with many of the emerging movie and film industry specific trade shows.

'What Does FilmEmerge Do?' or 'Why FilmEmerge?'

So many of you have asked, 'what does FilmEmerge do?' or perhaps, 'why FilmEmerge?'

FilmEmerge provides moviemakers and their vendors, a centralized repository and directory of qualified professionals and services, which cater to filmmakers. Addition to this, we also provide a 'Crew Connection ' service, in which we will submit for bid your request for quote, needed services.

FilmEmerge also has a non-profit portion, The FilmEmege Foundation 501c3 registered in the State of Michigan, who's mission is to--create scholarships for deserving students, and to raise awareness of the homeless and uninsured through it's support of homeless shelters. The Foundation has created the 'Commercial Film Challenge ', a student run amateur film competition that gives back to the local business communties by providing them a low cost :60 second commercial.