TRAVERSE CITY -- Move over Hollywood, here comes Elmwood.
A Los Angeles-area producer and a local developer have big plans for a film studio just outside Traverse City in Elmwood Township.
"Traverse City is this pristine palate that has so many diverse areas to film in," said David Kenneth, president and executive producer of Innovate Entertainment production company and I.E. Effects, a visual effects company.
The region's natural beauty lured Kenneth to this spot, but the state's new film incentive program brought his attention to Michigan in the first place.
"The incentives, we can't ignore them. It's the buzz of the town here," he said. "We're setting ourselves up to be a big service producer to the film industry via our soundstage in Traverse City."
He hopes to do that with the help of his friend, developer Ron Walters.
Walters is a member of West Bay Partners, a group that owns property on M-22, including the current site of Scuba North and the dock for tall ship Manitou.
A 28-slip yacht marina is proposed for the waterfront, with two buildings across the street housing offices, a restaurant, retail space and condominiums.
The film production facility would go where a boat storage building originally was planned. The 18,200-square foot soundstage would be set about 500 to 600 feet from the road.
Elmwood Township planning commissioners last week supported a change in the preliminary site plan to include the soundstage. Developers secured a state Department of Environmental Quality permit for the marina, but they need other permits before requesting final project approval from the township.
Township Supervisor Derith Smith expects residents to have questions about the project.
"I think everyone is in favor of successful businesses, regardless of what they are," she said. "I think we have to carefully look at the impact it would have on the neighborhood."
Walters is excited about the potential jobs a soundstage could create. A training camp at the studio could prepare local workers for the film industry.
"I know a lot of people who have bachelor degrees and higher who are working in bars, waiting tables because there aren't jobs," he said, adding that studio jobs are well-paid positions, and opportunities exist for people to work as extras. "There are a lot of opportunities either to make additional money or a new career."
Kenneth, who's worked on projects such as "Spider-Man 2," History Channel series and Motorola commercials, is now working on a live action feature starring Hulk Hogan. He has three projects in development that are targeted for the Traverse City area and hopes to produce between 15 and 20 films here each year.
He pointed to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as a perfect filming location. Lake Michigan's ocean-like appearance coupled with the rolling sand dunes could pass as Maui or Fiji, he said.
"I see Michigan as a whole as a great opportunity, but Traverse City as ... the diamond in the rough," Kenneth said. "We can make that area so incredibly profitable."
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