Post-Production On Northern Light Approved For Film Incentive

The Michigan Film Office announced that post-production work for the film Northern Light has been approved for a film incentive from the state. The post-production work, including music composition and voice over work for the film, will be done by Farmington Hills-based Yessian Music Inc.

"This project highlights the many businesses across the state that provide post-production services to a diverse array of projects," said Carrie Jones, director of the Michigan Film Office. "Our post-production facilities are filled with talented Michigan workers and are a critical part of the equation as we continue to grow our infrastructure and attract the best project to Michigan."

Northern Light was awarded an incentive of $40,000 on $100,000 of projected in-state expenditures. The work will be done by existing employees at Yessian Music.

The film showcases the history of Edmonton, Alberta from 12,000 years ago through 1928. The project is being produced to show at the Capitol Theater -- part of the 1920s street in the interpretive historical museum at Fort Edmonton Park in Edmonton.

In 2011, 16 projects have been approved with $23.2 million in incentives being awarded on $55.8 million of approved production expenditures for the year. These projects are expected to create 1,703 Michigan hires with a full time equivalent of 370 jobs.

All applications for film incentives receive a thorough review by a Michigan Economic Development Corp. committee comprised of the senior vice president of marketing and communications, the senior vice president of policy, the vice president of business development and the director of the Michigan Film Office.

The current statute is used to guide approval decisions. Preference is given to projects that best meet the following criteria:

* The production is financially viable.
* Utilization of existing infrastructure (studios, post-production facilities, film labs, etc.).
* The number and wage levels of direct jobs for Michigan residents created by a production.
* Ability to show Michigan in a positive light and promote the state as a tourist destination.
* Magnitude of estimated expenditures in Michigan.

The film incentive program will continue to be jointly administered by the Michigan Film Office and the Department of Treasury and all projects must be approved in concurrence with the state treasurer. Since the incentives took effect in April 2008, the Film Office and the Department of Treasury have approved a total of $384.3 million in film incentives on $977.1 million in total qualified expenditures by productions in Michigan. This represents 221 projects that have been approved to date, including 153 projects that have actually wrapped in the state.

The Michigan Film Office was created in 1979 to assist and attract incoming production companies and promote the growth of Michigan's own film industry. The Film Office also administers the incentive program for film, television and other digital media production in Michigan, as well as infrastructure development and workforce training.