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Ann Arbor opens film office to tout region

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

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Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor is centralizing its film-attraction efforts a little with the creation of the Ann Arbor Area Film Office.

The new organization, part of the Ann Arbor Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, will serve as a sort of clearing house for filmmakers interested in shooting in Ann Arbor. The idea is to streamline the film-making process while showcasing Ann Arbor's attributes.

"We are promoting the area as a desirable place to film a movie," says Kay Seaser, director of the Ann Arbor Film Office. "We are also promoting the area as a place to set up production companies while they're in Michigan."

Today the office is one person large, consisting of Seaser who has been doing this work ever since Michigan reformed its film tax credit policy. Besides advocating for Ann Arbor she has helped visiting filmmakers find housing for their crews and recommend local businesses to help them with their shoots.

"There are a lot of services they need," Seaser says.

The website for the film office highlights the movies that have been shot here, such as "Youth in Revolt" and "Whip It!" It also offers suggestions on some of the area's landmark areas that are available for filming.

Source: Kay Seaser, director of the Ann Arbor Film Office
Writer: Jon Zemke