State Film Office Awards 1st Credit in New Plan

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - The Michigan Film Office has approved its first financial incentive for a movie project since ending a program that offered some of the nation's most generous breaks.

The office announced Thursday it approved an incentive worth $79,324 for "Beside Still Waters." The film is expected to shoot in Traverse City and Metro Detroit and is set in the Upper Peninsula.

According to the Michigan Film Office, the film centers around a young romantic named Daniel Thatcher, who invites a group of estranged high school friends to his summer home in the UP. They enjoy one last weekend in the home where they spent their childhood summers, rekindling old friendships and creating new memories.

It will be directed by Chris Lowell, cast in such films as "Up in the Air" and "The Help." Detroit native Jason Potash is a producer.

The state in December changed a program offering a credit of up to 42 percent to filmmakers whose projects were approved for production in Michigan. The program is now capped at a total of $25 million for all state film, movie and video incentives.

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