A new Web site aims to demystify the movie and video business as well as Michigan's generous new tax incentives for filmmakers, video productions and video gaming.

The site, www.producersguidetomichigan.com, plans to play an important role in Michigan film production and in bringing much needed business to Michigan. The site is designed so that producers anywhere in the world can find any number of film resources in Michigan, and local talent and business owners can connect with filmmakers, so that both can take advantage of the economic benefits of Michigan’s new filmmaking initiatives.

Since the news of the incentives was announced, filmmakers from across the country are searching for an array of production pieces to complete a Michigan-based film so that they can qualify for the generous tax incentives. 

The new legislation currently offers a 30 percent tax rebate to shoot in Michigan and up to an extra 12 percent if local talent and Michigan-based businesses are used in the production. There is an additional incentive for filmmakers to use local talent.

The site offers a directory of professional production companies, legal services and producers, as well as Michigan's best studios, limos, hair stylists, caterers, shooting locations, costumers and countless other resources, all qualified to participate in some way in the production of fil

Michigan businesses and services have not had a good channel to promote their services to filmmakers.

"In popular shooting locations like L.A., it's common to find numerous production management services and directories to help filmmakers find anything required to complete a production," said Nick Johnston, the guide's co-founder. "We simply didn’t have a one stop resource like that here before this site.”

Johnston is one of four professionals that created the site. The others are Michigan James Bellanca III, Peter Mertz and Roselie Bellanca Posselius. Their experience is in entertainment legal services, internet marketing, film production and advertising and commercial theatrical production.

Johnston’s partner Roselie Bellanca Posselius adds that, in addition to being Michigan natives, the four creative professionals want to stay here and make a living in an industry that has contracted of late. 

“We believe we can help the industry expand here in Michigan”, says Posselius.
Such was the idea behind another company Posselius heads, DAG Productions. DAG was created by her father Peter Bellanca in 1994 to showcase and employ the talent and resources in the Michigan theater community.

Posselius says of the new film tax incentives, "They are a great opportunity for Michigan businesses, but they are only half the equation for those looking for work in our industry. We have been creating opportunities for Michigan talent since 1994 with DAG Productions. This new site takes that to the next level with a broader scope of services to offer and the reach of the internet to market Michigan talent worldwide.”