wonderstruck
Now I’ll remain skeptical until it’s doors are actually open, but the Detroit Free Press are reporting today on a brand new state of the art VFX studio that will be opening up in the vacant downtown MGM Grand building this year.
The new studio is called Wonderstruck Studios, and I can’t find out much about it other than that it is owned by Michelle Richards, a film and video-game vetern and Detroit native. I can’t even find a website for the company yet. But it’s still exciting news and I’ll keep my fingers crossed over the next few months when details become less and less scarce.
LINK: New special-effects studio to move into vacant MGM casino
The new venture, Wonderstruck Studios LLC, will invest $85.9 million over five years and create an estimated 413 jobs with an average weekly wage of $1,729, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. said today.
Wonderstruck will primarily produce computer-generated visual effects and animated content for feature films, video games, television and commercials.
The company said it would be the first of its kind in Michigan. Wonderstruck said it would deliver full-scale Hollywood productions from inception to state-of-the-art computer generated 3D software. Its content is mostly targeted toward families and young audiences.
LINK: $86 million film studio planned for former MGM Grand casino
The Detroit Center Studios is a partnership between Wonderstruck Studios L.L.C. owned by film and video game deal-maker Michelle Richards, a Detroit native, and Los Angeles-based real estate developers SHM Partners.
The state today awarded the project a 12-year, $16.9 million Michigan Economic Growth Authority tax credit and an $11.7 million infrastructure credit under the state’s new film incentive laws.
Detroit also is considering property tax abatements.
The deal calls for the studio to begin operation this year, with 413 direct and 287 indirect jobs.
Matt
I googled Wonderstruck Studios to try and find a website and I ended one foot away from my desk.
Ron Watson
Well, googling Wonderstruck Studios LLC brought me to your blog.
Cool.
Reading your site description it seems that we are birds of a feather.
My girlfriend and I are professional dog trainers, and she’s a classically trained artist. I also do a bit of writing and web development.
We currently live in the exurbs of GR and are thinking of moving into the city on the east side with our 13 wonderful performance dogs.
Filmwork and a greater population density are what’s prompting us to leave the country and join that East side rat race again.
I grew up over there and am not opposed to making the move.
Anyway… I’m going to check out a bit more of your site.
Thanks for the reportage.
peace,
Ron
http://pawsitivevybe.com
Zarquon
Hmmmm….I gotta admit when I saw this whole Wonderstruck story come over the wire I was a bit skeptical…and since the only web hit for them is your blog, now I’m doubly skeptical.
I hope this isn’t someone taking the Michigan Film people on a ride. I know a ton of people in the animation business and a few of them, like me, are from the midwest and would love to have some chance to work closer to home than LA or SF or Wellington or Vancouver. But at the same time no one I know has heard anything of the people supposedly involved with this company. And their IMDB credits are almost nonexistent—not that I place a lot of credence in IMDB credits. But still…
Anyway, I want to think this is good news…but…
_cz
Doug
Ya that was a red flag for me as well. It is such a gamble trying to open up shop this far away from the main market and still compete for film work. Especially with studios like The Orphanage, one of the top facilities in my opinion, closing it’s doors.
I think their best chance would be to get some close ties to the existing studios up in Canada. But saying Wonderstruck is going to have an uphill battle is an understatement. It’s seriously going to be a miracle if they fulfill expectations.
Anonymous
This is obviously a labor of love from two former Michiganders (yes, that’s correct). The founder appears to be the wife of a Warner Bros Executive and possibly a former or current actress. They’re pairing up with SHM – a couple of guys who run a commercial real estate group that takes over big,old buildings and turns them into studios. They developed big studio spaces in LA and one in Hawaii as well as some other non-studio developments. This is a great idea but, unfortunately those of us with experience know what they’re up against. If the current “Detroit Studios” or “wonderstuckgroup” coming soon page is any indication of their future work quality then they are doomed.
My biggest fear is that the state of Michigan, in foolish desperation is being lulled into a big, giant waste of money ala AutoWorld. I have no doubt the physical space will be great and SHM will get the job done but, the “if we build it they will come” scenario hasn’t worked anywhere else yet. Still, like everyone, I hope it works out. I also hope they are aware of Richard Florida’s very apt description of the state of the world and all those CAD people they plan to hire.
I wish this venture the best of luck and hope they are able to lure key creatives as well as better known management since that is how you get work.