"ACTOR?"

Lansing's Michigan Film Office shouts out proudly that post-production work on an animated documentary called "Actor?" is now approved for a film incentive from the state. The post-production work will be provided by locals who work at Farmington Hills-based Digital Image Studios.

“Post-production work continues to be an important foundation for utilizing existing infrastructure and talent here in Michigan,” said Carrie Jones, director of the Michigan Film Office. “As an added bonus, this documentary will feature stories and interviews with Michigan actors, among others from across the country.”

"Actor?" was approved an financial gift of $62,520 on $156,000 of projected in-state expenditures. The work will be done by existing employees at Digital Image Studios.The documentary is said to interview actors "across the country to get a glimpse of why actors do what they do and how they work to enhance their careers."

In 2011, 19 projects have been approved with $23,579,819 in incentives being awarded on $56,700,577 of approved production expenditures for the year.

Dogman gets Incentive!

The Michigan Film Office announced today that the feature film Dogman has been approved for a film incentive from the state. The film, set in northern Michigan, is being produced by Traverse City-based Brauer Productions and is shooting on location in Benzie County.

“It is a priority for the Film Office to support Michigan-based filmmakers and projects, and Brauer Productions – which has been making movies in Michigan for more than three decades – is a great example of the homegrown talent we have here in the state,” said Carrie Jones, director of the Michigan Film Office. “Dogman is not only set in Michigan, it is also hiring its entire crew from Michigan and creating paid internship positions to help train the next generation of Michigan filmmakers. Combined, these factors make this project the perfect fit for the film incentives.”

Dogman was awarded an incentive of $155,146 on $382,500 of projected in-state expenditures. The project is expected to hire 49 Michigan workers with a full time equivalent of 5 jobs.

The film is based on the popular Michigan folklore surrounding the Dogman, a wolf-like creature that appears in northern Michigan in the seventh year of each decade. The legend has been perpetuated over the years in various ways – including a song, “The Legend” released in 1987 and the 2007 novel, Year of the Dogman.

Our own Jana Kramer sings on "Footloose"

Country Superstar Blake Shelton is covering the title track to "Footloose," originally covered by Kenny Loggins of Danger Zone....Additionally my feature film co-star and "One Tree Hill" actress JANA KRAMER of Rochester Hills will be donning “Let’s Hear It for the Boy."

Here is the soundtrack listing

1. Footloose – Blake Shelton

2. Where The River Goes – Zac Brown

3. Little Lovin’ – Lissie

4. Holding Out For A Hero – Ella Mae Bowen

5. Let’s Hear It For The Boy – Jana Kramer

6. So Sorry Mama – Whitney Duncan

7. Fake I.D. – Big & Rich feat. Gretchen Wilson

8. Almost Paradise – Victoria Justice & Hunter Hayes

9. Walkin’ Blues – Cee Lo Green feat. Kenny Wayne Shepherd

10. Window Paine – The Smashing Pumpkins

11. Suicide Eyes – A Thousand Horses

12. Dance The Night Away – David Banner

Quote of the Year

In the new and latest issue of Michigan Movie Magazine (which can be bought in Barnes&Noble or Borders) I was featured next to director Miguel Arteta (Cedar Rapids) and actor Ray Stevenson (Thor, King Arthur) as being one of the most memorable quotes of 2011.

I've attached a copy of that page.

SAG . AFTRA Merger>?

Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists are continuing discussions this weekend between the AFTRA New Union Committee and the SAG Merger Task Force with regards to the creation of one union to represent all members of Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA.

Meeting together as the Group for One Union, or G1, members and staff of both unions held meetings Saturday through Monday by video and teleconference between New York and Los Angeles. Originally scheduled as face-to-face meetings in New York, members and staff were cautioned not to travel due to the impending landfall of Hurricane Irene in New York and elsewhere along the East Coast.

The G1, comprised of members including actors, performers, recording artists and broadcast professionals, received a presentation from its Member Education & Outreach Workgroup, and reviewed and discussed findings and recommendations of its Governance & Structure Workgroup. These and four other member-led workgroups have been holding discussions since they were created by the G1 at its inaugural meeting in Silver Spring, MD, June 19 -21.