Michigan Film Office Launches iPhone App
LANSING -- The Michigan Film Office has launched a new iPhone app that puts the office's online directories at the touch of a button for producers, directors, location managers and filmmakers. Michigan is one of the first film offices in the country to have a mobile app for locations and crew databases.
"We are always looking for ways to be more customer-friendly and responsive to the industry, and this is a terrific tool to compliment the incredible locations and talented crew Michigan has to offer," said Carrie Jones, director of the Michigan Film Office. "As we move forward under the state's new film incentive program embracing innovations like this app will play a key role in giving Michigan a competitive edge in attracting great projects."
The app, created by Reel-Scout Inc., is free and utilizes a mobile friendly platform that allows users from large and small projects alike to tap into the Film Office Locations database and Michigan crew and vendor directories directly from their iPhone.
Directors, location managers and scouts on the road can access 78,000 photos of more than 5,400 locations across the state and with the app, searching by region, city or landmark -- anything a scene might call for. For convenient referencing, the app also allows users to map the locations directly to their phone -- a feature that provides an advantage for users scouting in Michigan for projects. Users will also be able to submit new locations or modify existing photos in the database directly from their mobile phone.
"The Michigan Film Office team is constantly developing innovative ways to keep Michigan a top choice for productions," said locations manager George Constas. "This new iPhone app is an amazing tool that showcases the beauty and variety of our state, while at the same time creating a more efficient filmmaking process. This app will also show the world how synergy between producers, our film office, and local location managers can be maximized."
The complete Michigan Film Office production directory of Michigan crew and support services is also accessible through the new app. These entries include contact information, resumes and credits for industry professionals in the state, which can be tapped by projects looking to hire. Users may also utilize the app to register or update their entry in the production directory in real time.
"While Hollywood projects get much of the attention, the vast majority of films shot in the state are working with tight budgets and limited resources," Jones said. "This app will be used by projects of all sizes, but it provides a real advantage for the vibrant and talented indigenous film industry making films every day here in Michigan."
Currently the app is only available for iPhone users. To date, there have been more than 58,000 visits to the Film Office website in 2012, with nearly 2,400 visits to the production directory and 1,200 visits to the locations database search page.
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.
