While talk swirled about building movie studios around the state of Michigan, Harold Cronk and Mathew Tailford quietly built 10 West Studios in Manistee, in the northwest part of the state.
“We repurposed seven dry dock marine buildings, and now have a 150,000 square foot, full service studio with plenty of parking space for semi trucks, multi- million dollar camera, lighting and equipment package and are ready to roll,” said Harold Cronk.
10 West Studios has a strategic allegiance with HD Studios of Farmington Hills. That means HD Studios will process and edit the film for 10 West Studios, and then transfer it to a high definition format.
“We are very excited to work with Harold and his team. We have the only film lab in the state, so we will be very involved with their productions,” said Ginny Hart, HD Studios Vice President of Sales.
It’s been a long journey for Cronk, who started as an art teacher in northwestern Michigan. He used his summers away from the classroom to work on film productions. He convinced his wife to move to Los Angeles, California in 2005, to break into the movie business.
It didn’t take long for Hollywood to notice Cronk. In 2006, Harold Cronk won the Best Director award at the Beverly Hills Film Festival for a film he shot in Michigan called War Prayer. That prestigious award opened some important doors for him.
“I signed a multi-picture deal with Origin Entaintainment, and the first of those projects will be a children’s comedy adventure film, shot right here at 10 West Studios,” Cronk said.
You may ask why Cronk and Tailford, also former art teacher, chose to build their studio in Manistee. They say it’s because this is home, where their families live and where they want to raise their children. The film makers want to work in their home state, and bring new opportunities to their local community.
Manistee is just beautiful” said Cronk. “It’s known as the Victorian Port City. The downtown main street has amazing architecture and looks like a Hollywood back lot. With the support we have from the local community, shooting here will be a delight,” he added.
Cronk and Taliford partnered with Jeff Seng of Seng Marina to convert the yacht storage building with high ceilings, critical to accommodate lights and sets, into 10 WEST studios.
“It made perfect sense. The economy has taken a toll on yachting, so this is a great use of space.” said Cronk. “And we are very close to the water should we need it for a scene,” he pointed out.
Infrastructure and crew base are two critical issues for any production looking to make a movie in Michigan. While a scramble is underway to build studios in SE Michigan, Cronk believes he has both covered. 10 West offers both waterfront and ironworks stages from 15,000 to 45,000 ft .with ceilings from 30 to 55 ft.
And what about a film crew? 10 West Studios partnered with West Shore Community College to use a federal grant from the Department of Labor to create an eight week film training course. The first class will graduate at the end of the week, and will be ready for summer production work. Former students will work as grips, gaffers, trades and production assistants at the studio with cinematographer and 10 West Partner, Henry Joy of northwest Michigan.
“The only cost to these folks is their time and energy. Most are unemployed or under-employed people who will soon have new careers. We want to support the community, and they are supporting us,” said Cronk.
Cronk believes this is the time Michigan film makers must get a foothold in the film industry. Looking ahead ten years, Cronk says writers and actors will flourish on the coasts, but if homegrown movie makers will stay in Michigan and make their films here, the industry will flourish in the state.
“I am from Michigan and am committed to this state. I won’t be one of those film makers that take the 40% State rebate to make the movie, and runs back to LA.,” said Cronk. “We are here to stay. Our goal is make sure film makers have a great experience here. We want them to leave smiling and happy.” he added.
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