LANSING — The Michigan Film Office today announced the feature film Eloise has been approved for a film incentive from the state.
The psychological thriller will utilize locations throughout Wayne County, with production offices based in Detroit’s Masonic Temple. Eloise will begin filming in early May.
“Eloise will make the most of the locations, talent, workforce and infrastructure our state has to offer,” said Margaret O’Riley, director of the Michigan Film Office. “The producers of Eloise have made a strong commitment to Michigan and we are excited to see this project move forward.”
Eloise was awarded an incentive of up to $1.9 million on projected in-state expenditures of up to $7.2 million. The project is expected to hire more than 100 Michigan workers –— including more than 20 credited Michigan actors — with a full time equivalent of about 50 jobs.
Eloise takes place inside a defunct insane asylum of the same name. At one point in time, it was the largest institution of its kind, a city unto itself. Set in modern day, Jacob Martin and his three friends break into the abandoned institution in hopes of finding a death certificate, which will provide Jacob with the rights to a sizable inheritance. While inside the asylum, the group finds that the institution houses a horrifying history as well as the truth about their own tragic pasts.
Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl, What to Expect What You’re Expecting), Eliza Dushku (Bring It On, True Lies), Michigan native Brandon T. Jackson (Tropic Thunder, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monster) and P.J. Byrne (The Wolf of Wall Street, Horrible Bosses) are set to star in Eloise, with two-time Academy Award winner Robert Legato (Hugo, Titanic) directing. Tripp Vinson and Sanford Nelson are producing the project. This is Vinson’s second project in Michigan.
“I had a wonderful experience shooting Red Dawn in Michigan,” Vinson said. “It is a real pleasure to be back here for Eloise.”
Eloise is the first film for producer Sanford Nelson, a life-long Michigan resident.
“After two years developing this project, I am ecstatic to finally begin filming right here in my hometown,” Nelson said. “I appreciate the Michigan Film Office working with me to help make this dream a reality.”
In Fiscal Year 2014, eight projects have been awarded $43 million on $162 million of approved production expenditures for the year. These projects are expected to create nearly 1,000 hires with a full time equivalent of more than 800 jobs.
