GM Centerpoint Truck Plant film studio: When?

[g-dub]

Does anyone know when the film studio announced in February for the former GM Centerpoint Truck Plant is supposed to begin transitioning? Articles [[like this one, from back in Feb.:http://www.theoaklandpress.com/artic...a646814431.txt) don't mention a start date. Any updates?

[Gistok]

Don't know the answer to that one g-dub... but I was watching a depressing segment on the PBS newshour. It seems that a full feature animated film costs something like $100 million to make... which is why Bollywood [[in India) has been making a lot of animated films lately, at a fraction of the cost of the California production.

Reason I mention that is because there were also announcements earlier this year that some movie industry folks were going to use the former MGM Grand temporary casino building for making animation for movies [[using the CAD technology base of Michigan). With much of the American Information Technology industry [[and associated high paying jobs) are already outsourced to India... it looks like animation is going the same way....

[casscorridor]

there is so many empty factory and warehouse buildings that could be converted in Detroit.

And there are many benifits of locating within the city of Detroit, rather than the suburbs. Such as simply being in an urban area, closer access to the art community, and unique places for filming. Not to mention real estate costs are far cheaper. And depending on the neighborhood, more things within walking distance, or a short bus ride, or a short car ride... access to all major freeways.

Support facilities could open up, such as a a reopened Detroit Film Center in Eastern Market. A film school at WSU or CCS. Catering services, camera and equitment rental, talent agency, security services, makeup, dress, props, anything else that goes into making a film. Set up a permenent base here in Detroit. Make it easier and cheaper to make a film here than in Hollywood. The city and universities of Detroit and Windsor could even sponser an International Film Festival... actually in two countries.

The city of Detroit should be trying to give all those empty buildings to film studios or to anyone who would be so kind to use them... for perhaps $1. As long as they promise to put the building to use.

[Gsgeorge]

The Detroit Film Center moved out of Eastern Market, but it has been working with YArts at the Boll Family YMCA and is currently holding classes periodically out of the Media Studio upstairs. Support your local film school!

http://www.detroitfilm.org/

[davewindsor]

. The city and universities of Detroit and Windsor could even sponser an International Film Festival... actually in two countries.

The Windsor International Film Festival has been around for years. The next one is November 12-15. The Windsor International Film Festival also hosts screenings in the Detroit Film Theatre of the DIA so it can call themselves an international film festival. Here is the website if you'd like to volunteer, make a donation or whatever http://www.windsorfilmfestival.ca/

[chitaku]

I doubt the animation studio will even open. Most American cartoons including the Simpsons are animated in Korea, because surprise surprise it's cheaper!!!!! Also most of these studios are just talk and big dreams to keep us "the sheople" at bay. In a few years California will have the same tax break we have for making movies. I have my degree in Media Arts and finding work [[other than one chump who ripped me off) around here is rough. All there really is are people lookng for free help.

[davewindsor]

I doubt the animation studio will even open. Most American cartoons including the Simpsons are animated in Korea, because surprise surprise it's cheaper!!!!! Also most of these studios are just talk and big dreams to keep us "the sheople" at bay. In a few years California will have the same tax break we have for making movies. I have my degree in Media Arts and finding work [[other than one chump who ripped me off) around here is rough. All there really is are people lookng for free help.

I'm surprised that most American cartoons are animated in Korea. The average annual employment income in 2005 in Korea is $26,440 US. http://www.worldsalaries.org/korea.shtml It doesn't seem like a far cry for what you could pay someone to do the same job in Detroit. What is an acceptable salary for a computer animator in the states?

[rb336]

Since John Rakolta is part of the Pontiac group, call Walbridge

[Detroitej72]

Since John Rakolta is part of the Pontiac group, call Walbridge

If John has anything to do with movies, will Terry call for a boycott if she fells they go against "family values"?

[chitaku]

Dave to pay someone in the states to animate a cartoon would be more than double 26,000. Most guys i know that do graphics and animation have an 800-1000 dollar a day rate. For all of the training and loans that go into learning the trade, 26,000 is awful pay.

[Gistok]

Dave to pay someone in the states to animate a cartoon would be more than double 26,000. Most guys i know that do graphics and animation have an 800-1000 dollar a day rate. For all of the training and loans that go into learning the trade, 26,000 is awful pay.

Thanks for that info Chitaku... after India gets more involved... those graphics guys will go the way of the highly paid IT professionals... and will need to be re-trained.... but as what?

[saplej]

The Detroit Windsor International Film Festival takes place in the last weekend of June and will be celebrating it's third year in 2010. Check out dwiff.org for more information.