By Heidi Roman
C & G Staff Writer

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Clinton Township could be a destination for film producers worldwide after a $20 million studio equipped with innovative green screen technology is built.

Macomb County-based Vanir Entertainment announced a project to build a complex on 26 acres of land off Elizabeth Road, south of Hall Road.

The multi-building facility will include docking stations for mobile production units, overnight housing for industry professionals, three production studios and classroom space. The jewel of the project will be the 20,000-square-foot Vanir Dome.

“We’re creating a green screen that is a dome, which provides 360-degree filming opportunity,” said Alex Greene, executive producer for Vanir. “There’s nothing like it that we’re aware of, and that’s the whole idea. This will attract people from all over the world.”

Current green screen technology for special effects limits filming to the size of the screen itself. There’s no limitation with the domed screen, which will look like an upside-down fishbowl and offer life-sized filming proportions.

“We’re also planning to make it floodable, so we can do underwater scenes and also put boats in there,” Greene said. The studio will also be eco-friendly, using a geothermal energy grid.

Greene said the studio should attract international clientele regardless of whether Michigan’s aggressive film incentives are reduced. They’ll lease the studio to both major film producers and independent filmmakers.

Greene, a Macomb Township resident, and Vanir Chief Operating Officer Lew Smith are loyal to the local community, Greene said. Greene got his start a decade ago producing “My Bed Bugs,” an Emmy- and Telly-award winning children’s TV program filmed inside a nondescript studio in Clinton Township under the name Greenestuff Inc. Now he’s moving on to bigger and better projects.

“This isn’t about Hollywood; it’s about what we can do here locally in the community and with independent filmmakers,” he said.

Vanir plans to break ground in the late spring or early summer, and the studio should take 18-24 months to complete. Plans have been under way for quite a while.

“I think this will be a big boon for this area,” said Joe Peruzzi, Clinton Township’s media relations representative. “Once producers come to this area and see what this area has to offer, that might spur some additional film work for Macomb County.”

The studio could also help local students get their start in showbiz, since Baker College of Clinton Township has signed on to offer an educational program that ties in with the facility.

“Baker will be providing curriculum for students to learn about film production and post production,” Peruzzi said.

Greene said Baker’s role is critical because the Michigan film industry’s biggest challenge is strengthening the community of professionals available to work in film. Professionals in the area need to be trained and educated to get ready for big-time filming.

Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon announced the plans for the studio at his annual State of the Township Address Jan. 29.

“This is a great project — it’s really exciting,” Cannon said.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp., the Macomb County Film Office, and officials from Clinton Township and Baker College all played a part in the plans. They introduced Greene and Smith to funding sources and investors, according the Smith. A private equity fund for investors has bee established to help finance Vanir projects.