'Chaos' hits Grand Rapids red carpet

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Michigan filmmakers and insiders packed the Celebration Cinema North theater for the premiere of "The Chaos Experiment" on Tuesday night.

The film, which stars Val Kilmer and Armand Assente, was known as "The Steam Experiment" when it was shot downtown Grand Rapids last fall.

"We had a wonderful experience here, the people were great," said producer Stephanie Martinez of Cinepro Pictures.

"The Chaos Experiment" is one of 34 films shot in Michigan since tax incentives were put in place to lure filmmakers to Michigan.

Critics say the state is giving away too much money, and supporters argue the state receives more in return.

However, Martinez said the film would not have come to Grand Rapids if it weren't for the incentives. Michigan offers up to 42 percent, the largest enticement in the country.

The Michigan Film Office said the tax incentives are paying off. The state spent $125 million on filmmaking in 2008, and $65 million paid the salaries of the crews.

Officials estimate $94 million was pumped back into the state's economy as film crews spent money in Michigan communities.

"Shooting movies is not just the state of Michigan giving us money, but we are giving a lot to the community," Martinez said.

Said Rick Hert of the West Michigan Film Office: "We're changing our economy here and this is an opportunity for us to introduce something new."

However, Tuesday night's premiere was less about logistics and more about celebration.

"That was a lot of fun," local actor Evan Herd said. "Getting to meet the actors the other crew, some of which were local, some not."

The director of "The Chaos Experiment" said he might return.

Philippe Martinez is scouting locations in Grand Rapids to shoot the film "Tribes of October" later this summer. The post apocalyptic science-fiction thriller is expected to star Robert Duvall, James Caan and Ray Stevenson.

DeVos Place could be considered as a possible location.

"The Chaos Experiment" will be available for viewing at Celebration North and Celebration Rivertown starting Friday. After one week, it will be released on DVD. The film also will play in Lansing theaters May 15 - 21.

For more infomation on this fim and others, visit Aaron Lafferty's blog, Laff at the Movies, or follow him on Twitter.