George Clooney scouting Ann Arbor locations for "The Ides of March"
But what hadn’t yet been reported was that the Oscar Award-winning actor/director Clooney also made a scouting stop in Ann Arbor on Sunday, checking out the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, as well as the Walgreen Drama Center, on the University of Michigan’s campus.
The Internet Movie Database provides this synopsis of the film: “An idealistic staffer for a newbie presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail. Based on the play by Beau Willimon.” IMDB also sites February 2011 as the tentative start date for filming.
Among those confirming Clooney’s recent scouting visit to U-M is Kerianne Tupac, marketing and communications director for University Productions, and U-M Film Office director Lee Doyle.
“He is looking around, and gave the students quite a thrill,” Doyle said in an e-mail. “He was very gracious with people he encountered along his scout, which all found (him) delightful. Stay tuned!”
Don’t worry, Ms. Doyle. We will.
Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.
Comments
picabia
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 11:05 p.m.
The fact is that Southeastern Michigan used to have a lot of film work going on. Many car commercials were filmed in and around Detroit and lots of industrial films too. All that dried up, in part because the auto industry fell upon hard times. Everyone gets stars in their eyes because a few celebrities come to town, but I doubt that Michigan will ever have a thriving commercial film industry. I'd like to be able to say otherwise, but I just don't see it happening.
Mark
Tue, Nov 16, 2010 : 11:06 a.m.
You ask local stores and vendors if those movies help them out, and you will find that they really do. A lot of money IS spent locally.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Nov 16, 2010 : 10:43 a.m.
Veracity, The so called "multiplier" effect is smoke and mirrors. So is the notion that taxing the same dollar over and over as it moves from one wallet to another is some kind of fiscally sustainable policy.
deb
Tue, Nov 16, 2010 : 10:16 a.m.
off unemployment for a month and back on it every day they dont work. IATSE....
annarbor28
Tue, Nov 16, 2010 : 7:02 a.m.
The more the film industry is in Michigan, the more that locals are involved. See the stories about the formerly unemployed auto workers, etc, who now have ongoing or extra parts in Detroit 187. Is it better for the state to be paying them unemployment benefits, food stamps, etc? I think not. Same for the support industries. Rick Snyder is very short-sighted in this regard. Maybe because he was such a boy wonder that he never mixed with the "people." (Except those at U-M which he started when he was 16.) He needs to spend a few days on the movie and TV sets and come down from his ivory tower to understand what is going on. Not everyone will be like Michael Dell. Or like Rick Snyder.
Jim
Tue, Nov 16, 2010 : 12:06 a.m.
If Hollywood would take time to learn about local talent I'd have more confidence that any substantial portion of that money is really entering the local economy. Big studios bring their familiar faces -- and that means meals and lodging being purchased (hooray for that, we know all many of our sectors need help), but not big ticket items. The workers will pay some income tax but...
Veracity
Mon, Nov 15, 2010 : 10:18 p.m.
Craig Lounsbury: On the contrary, as the $200 million enters our economy a multiplier effect occurs which can be worth as much as $1.60 for every dollar that the movie industry leaves in Michigan. So effectively $200 million has the effect of $320 million ultimately. Then again, as each dollar is spent in a different store new taxes are accrued. I would not be surprised if more than 25% of the $200 million is returned to the state when all the taxes are accumulated. And do not underestimate the importance that the money has for new job creation and for supporting established businesses.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Nov 15, 2010 : 8:33 p.m.
spending 50 million tax payer dollars to bring 200 million dollars to the private sector doesn't sound good to me. In order for we the people to break even we need to tax that 200 million at 25% to get our 50 million back. Thats not going to happen. So that means that each of us NOT working in the movie industry are tossing money to those who are. If thats a good idea then lets do it across the board.
David Briegel
Mon, Nov 15, 2010 : 8:13 p.m.
You tell George Clooney to take his darn movie somewhere that wants him. We Michiganders are being led by grumpy old white guys that don't want no darn liberals coming here for no tax breaks to film their commie movies! That's the kind of stuff we get to read right here in River City on A2.com! Yesirreee!
talker
Mon, Nov 15, 2010 : 7:40 p.m.
Spending $50 million dollars to bring in $200 million sounds good to me. The excitement it brings to Michiganders who provide support to the visiting actors and crews are also pluses. Michigan needs jobs and I hope the new governor rescinds his plans to axe the film industry in Michigan
Veracity
Mon, Nov 15, 2010 : 4:58 p.m.
say it plain: You jest, of course, but there is some truth and also worry in what you said. During his campaign Rick Snyder did challenge the benefit of providing incentives to the movie industry. Apparently, providing $50 million of incentives in order to get the movie industry to spend $200 million in Michigan may not be considered an acceptable return on investment. Well, I am sure if the new governor along with the Republican legislature decides to pull the rug out from under the movie industry that George Clooney and his colleagues will find plentiful incentives in another state.
amberherself
Mon, Nov 15, 2010 : 4:39 p.m.
I met George Clooney at his premiere of The Men Who Stare At Goats and he was soooo handsome and just as charming as you'd expect him to be. I'm thrilled that he'll be in Ann Arbor!
say it plain
Mon, Nov 15, 2010 : 4:31 p.m.
ah, yes, both those locations would be pretty on film, inside and out, no doubt. Good combos of warm and grey. What a great cast that sounds like, yeesh! Let's hope the tax subsidies are in effect for at least a little while longer, no matter how much money it's costing us;-)
aareader
Mon, Nov 15, 2010 : 3:12 p.m.
Reads like it will be an interesting movie. I like all of the players mentioned. If they will film it in MIchigan it will be a win for all of us.