There’s been a sense of dedication and will from Detroit filmmakers who have created opportunities for themselves by making these independent films. Writer and director, Anthony Cuffie says, “For me, there wasn’t an avenue being an east side Detroit kid. Lack of accessibility has created a strong hunger for filmmakers here. To be honest, it’s a perpetual state of learning. There’s a big difference between being ‘Hollywood-ready” and what people are just dropping online. Writing is the hardest part of the process of filmmaking [for me]. Everybody has the next top camera, but your story king.” Cuffie refers to books by K.M. Weiland, John Trubi and Robert McKee that have helped him to be a better screenwriter. He went on to say, “We have a lot dedicated, hardworking, filmmakers here and we’re starting to see it become beneficial for filmmaking as a whole, but having mentors and support is still highly necessary.” Cuffie expressed gratitude for his mentors, writer/filmmaker Nicole Franklin and producer, Rubin M. Mendoza.
While the landscape of making films in Detroit has not risen to the likes of Atlanta, where tax incentives abound, and where the famous Tyler Perry Studios calls home, it would be ideal to bring back the Michigan film tax incentives. One thing about Detroit’s film community is that we soldier on and create out of nothing. Incentive or no incentive, this is a growing movement. Additionally, being United States largest African American city, there is no shortage of stories traversing a myriad of genres within the Black community that can be told there.
You can expect to see a lot of undiscovered talent in indie films, but also expect to see some famous and notable artists cast alongside actors from Detroit as well. In Shawn Woodard’s film “Love Is Not Enough,” lead actors Katie Fullerton and Chazmar Hall star with Lavell Crawford (comedian), Kim Coles (Living Single), Claudia Jordan (Atlanta Housewives) and Jackie Long (ATL). “I’m excited to see numerous projects coming out of Detroit. We still need more support across the board. If that happens, the sky’s the limit for the quality and impact we can make in the future,“ says Woodward.
