If you're looking for a poster child for the job creation benefits of Michigan's film industry incentives, then look no further than PixoFactor Entertainment.
The special-effects firm, based in downtown Royal Oak, went from a pair of founders two years ago to 20 employees and another 15-20 independent contractors today. All were hired within the last year and that hiring pace is expected to pick up in 2010-2011.
"We could easily grow to a combination of 100-200 employees and independent contractors in the next 12-24 months," says Sean Hurwitz, president of PixoFactor Entertainment. "We're already looking for bigger space in this area."
PixoFactor Entertainment develops digital content for both video games and special effects for the film industry. Think video games for the Nintendo Wii. Most of its business comes from out-of-state video game and special effect companies looking to take advantage of Michigan's film incentives by hiring a local firm.
The catch, and it's a good catch, is that all of that work is done by local creatives out of PixoFactor Entertainment's offices. It's also financed by local investors looking to build on Michigan's emerging film industry.
"Everybody lives here. They eat here. They sleep here. They went to school here," Hurwitz says. "We are truly building the Michigan economy."
Source: Sean Hurwitz, president of PixoFactor Entertainment
Writer: Jon Zemke
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