In case you didn't accidentally stumble onto a shoot in Leelanau, see this story in the Record-Eagle or otherwise catch the buzz around town, Michael Cera ("Juno," "Superbad") is in the area this week shooting a new Weinstein flick called "Youth in Revolt." The film is based on the witty C.D. Payne novel of the same name and is set to come out in limited release in December. Co-stars Steve Buscemi and Ray Liotta have also been spotted around town, in addition to numerous other cast and crew members.

Michael Cera

The crew's arrival in TC is a great example of how in just a few short months, Michigan's new film tax incentives have already had a significant impact on Hollywood studios - not to mention, Michigan's economy. Dozens of feature films have either scheduled or begun production since the tax incentives were approved by Gov. Granholm in April. Besides beautiful beaches, lush forests, urban city backdrops, even sand dunes, Michigan offers filmmakers, quite simply, the best bang for their cinematic buck in the country right now.

Though Michigan residents are understandably excited about the new rush of films, and there's a renewed optimism about the direction of our economy, this is in truth a dangerous time for the state. It's not enough for us to now sit back and wait for film productions to flock here, palms out and dollar signs in our eyes. Other states have offered tantalizing film incentives in the past. New Mexico, for example, has a great incentive package. Unfortunately for them, it's one that is now outpaced by Michigan's. They'll have to play catch-up from here on out in order to keep equal footing in attracting new productions to their state. In the same way, someone else could easily come along in the future and offer a better incentive package than Michigan. Whenever you are talking about a multi-billion-dollar-a-year business, there will always be tough competition to claim the biggest piece of the pie. The trick is figuring out how to take your 15 minutes in the spotlight and convert it into a sustainable, long-term industry.

In a word, that means infrastructure. Michigan needs to build infrastructure, and quickly, to be able to support the film productions and TV crews and commercial shoots that are rapidly pouring into the state. Studios, sound stages, production offices, banquet facilities, screening rooms, film labs - these are the essential components that make up a successful film-based economy. Right now, we have a few of these elements in place, scattered here and there throughout the state, but not nearly enough to support the incoming tidal wave of demand. We'll have to act immediately if we want to take full advantage of the economic possibilities offered by the current production rush.

Traverse City is particularly poised to become a major destination for film production - not only because of our natural beauty, and the awareness and connection to the area that already exists in Hollywood because of the film festival, but because we have visionaries and planners in our midst who are thinking three steps ahead to ensure we have the infrastructure to meet filmmakers' demands. Michael Moore had an extensive interview in the Northern Express recently in which he talked about the need to train Michigan residents for careers in film, and to build local facilities that would support film production. He has also taken a personal role in that process by implementing a "Michigan affirmative action" plan, focusing on hiring Michigan residents to work on his next film - even those who aren't experienced in the industry.

Cinema paradiso

Earlier this week, I had an encouraging conversation with a local land developer, Ron Walters, who is planning to build a film studio in Elmwood Township just outside of Traverse City. The 18,000-square foot facility would feature everything from sound stages to production offices to a screening room for dailies. He has the support of some well-connected Hollywood players, including David Kenneth, president of Innovate Entertainment and I.E. Effects. In a story in today's Record-Eagle, Kenneth said: "I see Michigan as a whole as a great opportunity, but Traverse City as…the diamond in the rough. We can make that area so incredibly profitable."

As part of his project, Walters plans to offer a certification program at the studio to train locals how to fulfill positions on a film set. So when he and Kenneth talk about making an area profitable - it's not just for the filmmakers. It's not even for the studios. It's for us. It's for the residents who live and work in this area year-round; who are committed to seeing it remain a vibrant and economically viable community. Best of all, it will be through an industry that's creative, clean and collaborative - no manufacturing plants or assembly lines required.

For film lovers, it's an exciting time to live in Michigan, and especially to live here in Traverse City. Here's hoping we have the wisdom - and the determination - to make the most of the tremendous opportunities we have before us.