"DETROIT is the new HOLLYWOOD" is a group that was created for fun. If you're a stingie professional working in L.A., relax- there's plently of room in this business for everyone. Whether you're working in the Entertainment Capital of the World and originally from the Motor City, or are an industry professional who chooses to live in the D as a tinsletown alternative, this group is for you!

Believe it or not, I first heard the title of this group during the early part of my career when I was living in Los Angeles during the 90's. When a certain producer found out that I was originally from Detroit, he asked why I bothered moving to L.A. I was confused, and he seriously said to me, "Haven't you heard? Detroit is the new Hollywood." I laughed it off, but ever since I heard that, I've really been taking notice of how Detroit's becoming a major force in the world of entertainment. Consider some of these facts...

MOVIE MAKERS
Sure, there are tons of famous filmmakers and actors that were originally from the Metro Detroit area, including SAM RAIMI, FRANCES FORD COPPOLA, ROBIN WILLIAMS, STEVEN SEAGAL, TIM ALLEN, BRUCE CAMPBELL, DAVID SPADE, LUCY LUI, KRISTEN BELL, TERRY O'QUINN (John Locke from LOST!), SELMA BLAIR, JEFF DANIELS, DAX SHEPARD, GILLIAN ANDERSON, ELLEN BURSTYN, JAMES EARL JONES, TOM SELLECK, BOB UBANKS, ERNIE HUDSON, GILDA RADNER, CHARLTON HESTON, ROBERT WAGNER, DAVE COULIER, VERNE TROYER, SANDRA BERNHARD, SINBAD, LEE MAJORS, LILY TOMLIN, GEORGE C. SCOTT, ED McMAHON, PAM DAWBER, and GEORGE PEPPARD.

Also, many mainstream movies have been filmed here over the years, including the EVIL DEAD trilogy, TRANSFORMERS, FOUR BROTHERS, THE ISLAND, ROBOCOP, THE UPSIDE OF ANGER, HOFFA, DIE HARD 2, OUT OF SIGHT, AMERICAN PIE 2, BIRD ON A WIRE, DETROIT ROCK CITY, The BEVERLY HILLS COP movies, 8 MILE, EXIT WOUNDS, TRUE ROMANCE, PRESUMED INNOCENT, FLIRTING WITH DISASTER, RENAISSANCE MAN, DEEP IMPACT, SOMEWHERE IN TIME, and GROSSE POINTE BLANK.

And- you still have some solid independent movies being made ' e n t i r e l y ' here in Detroit by folks like MICHAEL MOORE (ROGER AND ME, BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE, FAHRENHEIT 9/11), Director DOUG SCHULZE at the Motion Picture Institute of Michigan, and Director KEVIN LINDENMUTH of Brimstone Media. And what about DAVID LEHRE, who was recently named as one of ESQUIRE magazine's Top 100 new media innovators- he makes his movies right here on the East Side! Plus, many key Hollywood players are from Detroit, like MITCH PERLISS, the Exec. Vice President of RAZOR DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT. Hell, even the founder of FILM THREAT, the notorious CHRIS GORE is from the D! And then there's that MATT BUSCH guy making movies here, too...

MUSICIANS
This is Motown after all, but many incredible music acts came from the Detroit area, including MADONNA, TED NUGENT, ALICE COOPER, BOB SEGER, AALIYAH, STEVIE WONDER, JEWEL, 3 of the 4 RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS, DIANA ROSS, the VON BONDIES, ARETHA FRANKLIN, D12, GLENN FREY, SMOKEY ROBINSON, IGGY POP, the VERVE PIPE, BERRY GORDY, ANITA BAKER, RAY PARKER JR., SONY BONO, and even legendary music producer Don Was.

And- many current pop acts like KID ROCK, EMINEM, INSANE CLOWN POSSE, UNCLE KRACKER, SPONGE, and THE WHITE STRIPES continue to take the world by storm while still choosing to live in the Motor City.

Both CASEY KASEM and HOWARD STERN got their start in Radio here in Detroit! On top of that, you've got some incredible local acts like CELLDWELLER, EVEN THE ODD, CRUD , and 60 SECOND CRUSH that provide sountrack music to many mainstream movies, television shows, and even video games! And sheesh, how about the annual MOTOR CITY MUSIC CONFERENCE that has taken the music industry by storm?

ARTISTS
One of the most famous living artists of our time, WYLAND, is from the D. Top Notch comic book artist NICK NIX of G.I.JOE and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS is from Mount Clemens, and notorious inker LIVESAY is from Clinton Township. What about DITA VON TEESE from Rochester, who's a world renown artist in her own right.

Many Detroit-based artists like GLENN BARR and NIAGRA are dominating the gallery art world on an international level. JAMES O'BARR, the creator/writer/illustrator of THE CROW lives here. as does THE EVIL DEAD SFX Artist TOM SULLIVAN. LORD OF THE RINGS artist RYAN WATERHOUSE lives in the Clem... Then there's CHRIS TREVAS, BRIAN ROOD, and ALEX BUECHEL, some of the top illustrators for STAR WARS projects at Lucasfilm who still chooses to live here. And, yet again, there's that MATT BUSCH guy who claims he's provided Junk Food to the Art World since 1972...

ANIMATION
Animation Gurus GARY CLAIR and the creator of both THE FAIRLY ODD PARENTS and DANNY PHANTOM, BUTCH HARTMAN, are from the Detroit area. Many Animation Houses are popping up all over Michigan that do animation for feature film effects, industry trade shows, and even pure entertainment, like CHRIS SCALF (GODZILLA, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA), who's making waves with his new animation company.

VIDEO GAMES
Top video game designers JASON HAZELROTH and IMRAN SHEIK are both from the Motor City. Game Design Houses are popping up in areas like Ann Arbor that produce products for Playstation and Nintendo, but you're also seeing companies like Raptisoft (HAMSTER BALL, CHUZZLE, HAP HAZARD) that produce games completely here in Michigan.

WRITERS
Many entertainment writers live in the D, including academy award-winning screenwriter ELMORE LEONARD, who has written movies like GET SHORTY, OUT OF SIGHT, and BE COOL (to name a few.) MITCH ALBOM is a motor city boy. Also living here is STAR WARS author DANIEL WALLACE, and Horror Writer DAVID QUINN, not to mention one of the most prolific comic book writers of all time, WILLIAM MESSNER-LOEBS.

Sure, on the surface, Detroit appears to be a grey, industrial place. Ironically, I think that's what forces us to escape into our creative endeavors, and continue to be a growing force in this industry.

So here we are, the next generation of entertainers. Please join this group, and we'll all band together to make this city shine, and show the world what we're made of.

Anyone is welcome to join, whether you're a current professional, aspiring to get your name out there, or just a fan of great entertainment. Artists, Filmmakers, Musicians, Designers, Photographers, Animators, Actors, Models... Please encourage your friends to join, and hopefully this will be a great place to network and maybe even gain some wisdom with the forums below.