About Us
The West Michigan Film Video Alliance (WMFVA), a 501c3 non-profit, officially launched in January 2005. Our mission: To promote a thriving film and video production community in West Michigan. We want to make sure West Michigan talent and crew can be found by producers who are searching to hire for projects or productions.
The West Michigan Film Video Alliance offers the only peer-reviewed crew listing in West Michigan on our website database Search for Talent and Resources in Michigan Area Productions (STARMAP). Find veteran professionals with impressive resumes or newcomers who want entry-level experience. Easy to use, excel printouts available by category to make your crew calls and tracking a snap.
Our aim is to pull together all members of the production community to generate a new creative and economic force regionally. Our members are dedicated to the art and business of filmmaking and video production. Additionally, we are committed to retaining members of our young, "creative class" here. We encourage partnerships and teaching relationships between our veteran members and rookies. Our 2010 goal is to help the many students who graduate from our excellent West Michigan film and production programs to find work and build lives here through internships and apprenticeships that introduce young talent to potential jobs locally.
The WMFVA has taken a leadership role since its inception in promoting the film industry as an alternative force for economic development. We do this by providing programs, resources, networking, and support to filmmakers while promoting West Michigan as vital and influential in this industry.
The WMFVA was called upon to testify before the Michigan House and Senate tax committees regarding the Michigan Motion Picture Incentives in support of filmmaking, signed into law in January 2007. In 2008, the WMFVA provided funding for the training of Film Commissioner Rick Hert as well as his membership in the Association of Film Commissioners International.
The WMFVA considers the West Michigan Film Office to be the economic engine of the drive to build the film industry in our region. A grant program is currently being designed to help provide training opportunities for other communities to establish certified film commissions in an effort to establish the highest standards of performance and service to filmmakers bringing projects to West Michigan.
The WMFVA also maintains an ongoing relationship with the Michigan Film Office. The WMFVA sponsors numerous festivals, competitions, and events, often in partnership with our members. Our board members are local professionals from the film and video production community.
Events
- Professional Seminars
- Educational Workshops
- Screenings of Michigan-produced films
- Social Gatherings at area film festivals
Membership Benefits
- Discount on WMFVA seminars & workshops
- Free admission to 4-Wall screenings
- Eligibility to have your film shown in "4-Wall"
- Exclusive website content
- Personal profile listing on STARMAP database
- Support network
Membership Levels
Student Member - $20/year
- Must be a currently enrolled full-time student
- Student Profile in the STARMAP database
- Discount on WMFVA seminars & workshops
- Free Admission to "4-Wall" screenings
- Eligibility to have your film shown at 4-Wall
- Exclusive website content
- Support network
Individual Member - $40/year
- Individual Profile in the STARMAP database
- Discount on WMFVA seminars & workshops
- Free Admission to "4-Wall" screenings
- Eligibility to have your film shown at 4-Wall
- Exclusive website content
- Support network
Premier Member - $100/year
- Premier Profile in the Crews-n-More database
(includes: Logo/Picture, Website address, & Expanded services description) - Discounted admission to events for TWO representatives
- Promotion as a Premiere Member in select Alliance communications and profile in rotation on WMFVA Home page
- Discount on WMFVA seminars & workshops
- Free admission to on "4-Wall" screenings
- Eligibility to have your film shown in "4-Wall"
- Exclusive website content
- Support network