Television Series Ask Dr. Nandi Approved for Film Incentives

LANSING – The Michigan Film Office announced today the television series Ask Dr. Nandi has been approved for a film incentive from the state.

The weekly series films at the Detroit Public Television studio in Wixom and is a medical talk show covering a diverse array of topics.  Each show is dedicated to a particular subject matter, such as breast cancer or bullying, with real patients and real practicing physicians as guests.

"Dr. Partha Nandi received offers to film his show out of state, but he was committed to filming it here in Michigan," said Carrie Jones, director of the Michigan Film Office.  "This is a made-in-Michigan production from start to finish."

The project was awarded an incentive of $257,994 on $919,349 of projected in-state expenditures. The project expects to hire 13 Michigan workers with a full time equivalent of three jobs.

"We want to create real solutions to real medical problems," said Detroit's Dr. Partha Nandi, host and writer of Ask Dr. Nandi. "We want to reproduce what's in my office, where I really listen to my patients, helping them understand their problems and give them solutions. I want my patients to improve their own lives as well as those of their families."

Ask Dr. Nandi broadcasts on WADL TV 38 in Detroit and on Stellar Television in Los Angeles, Fresno, Sacramento, and Bakersfield.

To date in 2012, five projects have been awarded a total of $14,773,171 on $50,160,518 of approved production expenditures for the year. These projects are expected to create 725 Michigan hires with a full time equivalent of 215 jobs.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. Film Review Committee, comprised of senior MEDC staff including the Michigan Film Commissioner, reviews all completed applications.

Using the statute 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, equipment rental, 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; and magnitude of estimated expenditures in Michigan.