Lights, camera, eviction?  The city of Allen Park is threatening to evict Unity Studios from its city-owned facilities. 

The city claims that Unity Studios president, Southfield native Jimmy Lifton, has failed to make rent payments to the city and hasn’t produced required documents outlining the venture’s financial condition.

Lifton said late Tuesday afternoon that there is no problem and that they are not behind on rent. 

Last summer, hundreds of Allen Park residents and others gathered for a celebration at the site of what they hoped would become a big, successful Michigan movie studio.

Photo:  The city of Allen Park welcomed Unity Studio in an August 2009 ceremony.

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A proposed agreement for a production company to shoot a film scene at Grand Haven City Hall reportedly calls for a $1 charge for the production company to use the room. 

According to an article written by Eric Gaertner, “What’s Wrong with Virginia,” a film being produced by TicTock Studios of Holland, will star Ed Harris, a four-time Oscar nominee, and Jennifer Connelly, an Oscar winner, in the lead roles. The movie is expected to begin filming this month.

A room inside City Hall tentatively is scheduled for use in mid-October for one day. The Grand Haven City Council reviewed the proposal and decided to seek additional information before making a final decision.

Read more in an article at MLive.com.

Jimmy Lifton of Unity Studios joined 99.5 WYCD’s Dr. Don Morning show on 9/11/09.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN to the interview.

Learn more about Unity Studios at this link.

Lights, Camera, Allen Park!

Officials broke ground Thursday, August 27, 2009, on the 104-acre Unity Studios complex in Allen Park.

The facility is scheduled to open in October, and its first project will begin filming in November. Also in October, the Lifton Institute for Media Skills will open on site for its first class of 250 students who will be trained for jobs in the film industry.

Allen Park Mayor Gary Burtka says Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony “will be a celebration of jobs, economic development and a new industry putting down roots in Michigan.”

Along with production, distribution and marketing of made-in Michigan films and TV shows, Studio President and Southfiled native Jimmy Lifton says the facility will help jump-start the creation of a highly trained behind-the-scenes work force.

The first classes with 250 students will begin in October, when the facility opens for business. The studio’s first project begins filming in November.

Allen Park residents having breakfast down the road at the Star Diner–appropriately enough–give the project two thumbs up. “I think it will create jobs and boost morale, that’s what we need around here,” said Annette Skupien.

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