The debate over Gov. Rick Snyder's plan to cap film tax credits goes on, but a movie studio has opened in Pontiac nonetheless.
This week Raleigh Studios Michigan, the newest division of Raleigh Studios Worldwide, officially opened on the site of the former General Motors truck plant and office complex at Centerpoint.
The new location joins studios, production facilities, and other film-making locations in Hollywood, Manhattan Beach, Calif., Playa Vista, Calif., Baton Rouge, Atlanta, and Budapest.
Raleigh Studios Michigan has nine sound stages totaling over 175,000 square feet, the latest in filming equipment and technology, and 360,000 square feet of office space on three floors, some already leased to production companies, production service firms and other vendors. There is also a set lighting department, on-lot cafe and "premier dressing rooms," according to a news release from Raleigh, which says it is the longest continually operating movie studio in the country.
The Michigan studio is owned by one of Michigan's most prolific developers and businessmen, A. Alfred Taubman, along with Linden Nelson and John Rakolta Jr.
Supporters of Michigan's fledgling movie industry oppose Gov. Snyder's $25-million cap on film tax credits and are lobbying for a $180-million annual spending limit.
Raleigh promotes the film incentives on its website, walking producers through the application process and also lists more than 20 films, TV shows and other productions currently happening in Michigan.
Source: Raleigh StudiosWriter: Kim North Shine
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