Film Incentives: Are They Worth It?

Two and a half years after Michigan first offered its film incentives, the most generous in America, movies and television shows are being made all over the state. The question: Is it worth it? Also, if Rick Snyder is elected governor, will Hollywood go home?

Snyder is on record saying he wouldn't have created the incentives in the first place. At up to 42 cents on the dollar, he says they're too generous. However, with a double digit lead on Virg Bernero, is he softening his stance to ensure victory?

First, we took the pulse of some residents and also heard from a passionate business owner who is benefiting from having Hollywood in town.

Ferndale lounge The Bosco has become a favorite spot for Hollywood types.

"You have a Saturday night and you start talking to the customers, and you find out this customer is from Italy and he did work on "Schindler's List" and this guy's from England and these five guys are in from Los Angeles," said Dan Haberman.

The Bosco owner says having film crews as customers is something he can't afford to loose.

"Our hospitality growth in Michigan is ranked dead last in the nation. So, we're 50 out of 50, and this is a program that's actually bringing people into the state," Haberman said.

Not so fast says hotel employee Brenda Barnes.

"A lot of businesses are welcoming the entertainment industry in, but a lot of tabs are not being paid," said Barnes.

Unpaid tabs aside, people we talked to like the idea of movies being made in Michigan.

"It brings a lot economy for the catering crews (and) coffee shops," said one woman.

"It's developing business for the city and for the state. I think it's a great thing," one man said.

"It gives an alternative to the few basic manufacturing businesses that we have here," another man said.

However, others are more cautious.

"It will only last here as long as the incentives are in place, and we'll never, ever have a long lasting industry in this state," a third man said.

"I don't think we're getting enough revenue from it. I think we need more revenue," said another woman.

"If it brings money to Michigan, I support it. If it's just a matter of getting Hollywood-type into the state and does nothing for the state coffers, I don't think that does anything but spin the wheels," said a fourth man.

Haberman says at least it's something.

"I think it's really important for anyone who opposes the film credits to not just sit back and say this is bad. We can't have this. It's bad for Michigan," said Haberman. "They need to step forward and say, 'Okay, well you want to remove a program, the only program that's bringing an entirely new industry to our state. You want to remove that. What are you going to replace it with?'"

Last week, Mitch Albom said in his Free Press column "If Rick Snyder is elected governor, we can say goodbye to the movie and television business." Albom then quoted Snyder as saying the film incentives are "dumb" and "a gimmick". As Election Day draws near, FOX 2's Huel Perkins gave Snyder a chance to clarify where he stands.

"Let's focus in on the Michigan part of the film incentive that's here on the ground. See if there's a way to scale it back so it's more financially prudent for the state, more affordable, because we don't have a lot of room," said Snyder.

So, you don't want to eliminate it completely," Perkins asked Snyder. "It won't be 40-percent. It may be 30, 20-percent?"

"Again, that's where I don't want to arbitrarily pick a number. The thoughtful way is to say 'let's sit down and talk' to the people in the industry," Snyder said. "Let's have a good discussion about the balancing of these interests to say, 'Is there a common solution that we can all do in a productive way and move ahead on.'"

Joining Jason Carr to talk about this issue are FOX 2's Lee Thomas, State Representative Tom McMillin and State Senator Gilda Jacobs. Click on the video player to watch their discussion and then post your thoughts in the comments section below.