Jack Curtis believes, to paraphrase an old song, Oxford ought to be in pictures.
That’s why he’s encouraging the owners of homes, businesses and vacant land within the township and village to post digital photos of their properties on a website offering locations for filming movies throughout the state.
‘This could bring many people here to utilize the downtown services and get familiar with Oxford as a town,? said Curtis, a township planning commissioner who sits on the newly formed Economic Development Subcommittee.
Property owners who wish to participate can post their photos at mi.reel-scout.com/loc_add.aspx.
Each listing is limited to 10 digital photos at a maximum of 2 megabytes per image.
The website is run by the Michigan Film Office (MFO), a Lansing-based organization created in 1979 to assist and attract incoming production companies and to promote the growth of the state’s indigenous movie industry. Learn more about the organization at www.michiganfilmoffice.org.
‘There is no cost or commitment to listing a location with our office,? wrote MFO representative Michael Grabemeyer in an e-mail to Curtis. ‘If a production decides to film at a certain location, we will put the production in touch with the property owner.?
From the horse farms and gravel pits to the historic buildings and beautiful parks, Curtis believes Oxford’s ‘diversity? makes it a perfect location for filming movies.
Right now, only four Oxford locations are listed on the website. Curtis has convinced Norm Fredericks, owner of the 1,200-acre Koenig Sand & Gravel operation along Lakeville Rd., to post photos of his property.
‘His venue offers it all ? the privacy of 1,200 acres, the diversity of the land, you’ve got woods, moonscapes, lakes,? Curtis said. ‘It’s just a super fit for filming or photography. Plus, the security. There’s only two entrances into the pit. It can be watched and regulated.?
Bringing the film industry here is bound to help stimulate the local economy, in Curtis? view.
‘When these film crews come out, they need catering, they need stuff from the local hardware stores, they need lunches, gasoline,? he said.
Ron Davis, director of the Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department, is planning to post photos of Oakwood, Seymour Lake, Stony Lake and Powell Lake parks on website.
He believes all of the parks ‘have their own unique qualities? that make them perfect movie locations.
‘Any part of that Oakwood setting would be ideal,? he said. ‘Once you get out there, it’s like you’re (up) north. You could do a frontier movie there easily.?
The 300-acre park is mostly undeveloped and rich in trees, wildlife, trails, rivers and lakes.
Although it’s much more developed, Seymour Lake Park offers a diverse setting for filming with its splash pad, giant playground, athletic facilities and open spaces.
Overall, Davis said the website would be a great way for Oxford to ‘showcase what a fine community we have . . . and what we have to offer.?
‘If it can bring some business to our area, that would be great,? he said.