TRAVERSE CITY -- City officials tweaked a new ordinance designed to foster film production in Traverse City after local filmmakers offered input.
City commissioners this week approved a revised ordinance crafted by Community Development Director Bryan Crough. It will allow the city to grant filming permits and meet production companies' needs in a quick and organized fashion.
Commissioners approved the ordinance Monday after Crough spoke with local film producers. A few suggested changes after a draft of the ordinance was presented March 1, and commissioners directed Crough to collect input and modify the ordinance.
"Everyone who gave us input, we took it, and from what I gather, everyone is comfortable with what we came up with," Crough said.
A $500 bond deposit required in the first draft was scrapped after filmmakers said the cost could be prohibitive to smaller productions. The final draft leaves a bond amount to the discretion of the city manager, who can make a determination based on a production's size.
"We don't want to be prohibitive, but we still want to have the discretion," Crough said.
So-called "low-impact productions" are not required to get a permit for filming. The final draft of the ordinance expanded the definition of such productions from one camera-supporting device to five pieces of film equipment and people on set.
Crough also heeded the advice of Traverse City Film Festival founder Michael Moore, who suggested documentaries be added to the list of productions that don't need a permit. Also included on that list are news and non-commercial productions.
Moore strongly supports the ordinance.
"You are, through your actions tonight, stepping into the vanguard of those Michigan cities who have rolled out the welcome mat to Hollywood," Moore said in an e-mail to the city.
Local independent producer Bill Latka of Rivet Entertainment was contacted by Crough about the ordinance. He said the city is moving in the "absolute right direction" with the ordinance, and he's happy city officials gathered comments from local filmmakers.
The ordinance allows permits to be issued administratively, meaning companies wouldn't have to wait a week or more for city commission approval.
It also sets up various rules and regulations film companies must follow, and sets up guidelines for reimbursement of expenses the city might incur while assisting film producers.
