The Wolverine Caucus Forum, sponsored by the University of Michigan Office of Government Relations and the U-M Alumni Association, will present a talk titled: "Zooming in on Michigan's Film Industry - Is There a Future?" on June 29, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Anderson House Office Building's 5th floor Mackinac Room (at 124 N. Capitol Avenue) in Lansing.

U-M faculty members Jim Burnstein and Robert Rayher are slated to speak. From the WCF press release:

In recent years, companies from around the world had begun thinking of Michigan as a gold mine for their movie, television, and digital media productions. Whether the productions were shot in Michigan, the urban centers, or in Michigan’s pristine natural settings, it was expected that film-making incentives would grow jobs in our state and boost the regional economy.

Stakeholders, including businesses, universities and residents, were beginning to welcome the idea of a Michigan-based film-industry, knowing that it would take time and a little faith to develop. Young and seasoned film producers, and an international cast of actors and writers were being drawn to Michigan as a hub for their craft, not only as a filming destination, but also as a place to call home. Now the looming question is: what will happen as current state leaders make major changes to the Michigan film tax credits? After the movies currently in production are completed, what will become of Michigan’s film-making industry?

Professor and Hollywood screenwriter Jim Burnstein, and professor and film producer Rob Rayher, will discuss the latest outcomes in this ongoing debate, and share with us their projections of the future of film-making in Michigan.

Robert Rayher came to filmmaking from writing poetry. The evocative aspect of written images drew him to pursue similar ideas on the screen in his Avant-Garde films of the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s. His short films and videos were screened in Art Galleries and Museums, Universities and Art Schools, Film Festivals and Cinematheques across Canada, the U.S. and occasionally in Europe. A number of his short films are available from the Canadian Filmmakers’ Distribution Center (www.cfmdc.org). He received support from the N.E.A. and from The National Film Board of Canada. Rayher taught filmmaking at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago from the mid 1980’s until he was brought in to build the filmmaking area at the University of Michigan, in 1992. His work shifted from making Avant-Garde films to writing for the screen. Rayher is a juror for the Regional Student Academy Awards. At the University of Michigan, Rayher primarily teaches dramatic narrative film production.

Jim Burnstein managed to beat the odds and make it as a successful Hollywood screenwriter without moving from his home in Plymouth, Michigan. Mr. Burnstein’s screen credits include "Renaissance Man," the 1994 comedy directed by Penny Marshall and starring Danny DeVito; "D3: The Mighty Ducks" (1996-1997); and "Ruffian," the 2007 drama starring Sam Shepard co-written with Garrett Schiff of Los Angeles for ABC and ESPN. "AWOL," written by Burnstein and Schiff, begins production July 11th in Ann Arbor, with Michigan grad Danny Mooney directing and Chip Diggins producing in association with U of M alums Pat Olson (Peninsula Films) and Eddie Rubin (Deep Blue Pictures). In 1995, Burnstein returned to his alma mater, the University of Michigan, to build one of America’s top undergraduate screenwriting programs in the Department of Screen Arts & Cultures. He serves as Vice Chair of the Michigan Film Office Advisory Council.