This year we wanted to pull back the political curtain and give our community a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes in Olympia. While it may sometimes seem like there’s not a lot of activity on our bills, there’s actually lots (and lots) of activity happening in district and at the state Capitol. Read on to get an insiders look at how we worked together this month to KEEP FILM IN WA!

Senate and House Bills

The week of January 23^rd, the Keep Film in WA campaign announced House Bill 1527 and Senate Bill 5502, prime sponsored by Representative Marcus Riccelli (3, D) and Senator Randi Becker (R, 2), respectively. Both bills maintain the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program (MPCP) at its current level of $3.5 million per calendar year with a sunset date of July 1, 2027.  The bill also allows for a one-time allocation of up to $3 million for a major motion picture production with a total budget of at least $20 million that portrays a significant historical event in Washington.

A full list of sponsors for HB 1527 can be found here, and SB 5502 sponsors can be found here.

Hearing in House Finance Committee

After HB 1527 was introduced a hearing in the House Finance Committee was immediately scheduled on Friday, January 27. An extraordinary group of 8 people that work in and work for the statewide industry testified in support of the bill. We want to thank the 30 people that responded to our call to action and attended the hearing in Olympia. We give a special shout-out to the dozen people who boarded a bus and left Spokane at 1am the night before to make it in time for the hearing.

You can view the testimony on TVW here starting at 52:31.

VR Work Session in Olympia

There are so many reasons why renewing the MPCP is important, not the least of which is that Washington Filmworks (WF) is thinking about how to keep the film industry working today and in the future. On January 10, WF curated a panel of leaders from the VR and AR community to talk with the members of the Technology and Economic Development Committee about the future of film in Washington State. Panelists spoke at length about Washington’s unique storytelling and tech assets that can be leveraged to not only reinvent entertainment content but also change the way that companies do business in the global market place.

Thanks to Geekwire for covering the panel, read their coverage here. And if you’re interested, you can hear the incredible line up of speakers here starting at 8:18.

Town Hall Event in the 36^th Legislative District

As we like to say at the Keep Film in WA headquarters, all politics are local! Elected officials care about what their constituents have to say and we were so glad to see that more than a dozen film professionals that live in the 36^th legislative district responded to our call to action and attended the in-district Town Hall event on Sunday, January 29. The green shirts and Keep Film in WA buttons were hard to miss and despite the heavy-hitting topics of federal immigration bans and education funding, Representative Noel Frame did acknowledge the group in attendance. Thanks to those that came and if you hear of an in-district town hall event in your area let us know by emailing us at [email protected]

Association of Washington Business Legislative Day and Hill Climb

Amy Lillard and Julie Daman from WF attended their first AWB Hill Climb in Olympia on Tuesday, January 17. This event brings together business leaders, legislators and special guests with one message – to keep businesses’ priorities top-of-mind with elected officials. In addition to a full day of content, the Hill Climb gives attendees the opportunity to take their issues and concerns directly to their legislators on the Capitol Campus.  While on the Hill, Amy and Julie had a chance to reconnect with Representative Macri (D, 43) to reiterate the importance of the legislation to renew the MPCP.

Our friends at the AWB created a highlight reel from the event and you can check it out here.

Coming Up in February

• Art & Heritage Day in Olympia (February 8, 2017)
• Senate Hearing on SB 5502
• Save the Date For Film Day (March 13, 2017)

It’s been a busy week for the Keep Film in WA Campaign.  We are pleased to announce Senate Bill 5502 (SB 5502) has been introduced in the Senate.  SB 5502 mirrors the bill that was introduced in the House earlier this week. 

Prime sponsored by Senator Randi Becker (2, R), the bill maintains the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program at its current level of $3.5 million per calendar year with a sunset date of July 1, 2027.  The bill also allows for a one-time allocation of up to $3 million for a major motion picture production with a total budget of at least $20 million that portrays a significant historical event in Washington. If no such production is secured by July 1, 2019, the allocation will be returned to the general fund.

Similar to the House bill, the legislation is supported by a geographically diverse group of Republicans and Democrats. Keep Film in WA would like to thank the following sponsors:

• Prime Sponsor Senator Randi Becker (2, R)
• Senator David Frockt (46, D)
• Senator Michael Baumgartner (6, R)
• Senator Joe Fain (47, R)
• Senator Christine Rolfes (23, D)
• Senator Ann Rivers (18, R)
• Senator Andy Billig (D, 3)
• Senator Hans Zeiger (25, R)
• Senator Jeannie Darneille (27, D)
• Senator Karen Keiser (33, D)

Call to Action:

WRITE YOUR SENATOR

Write your Senator and ask them to support SB 5502, the bill to maintain the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program.  If your Senator has sponsored the bill, thank them for their support. Don’t know who your legislators are? Find out here.

ATTEND THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITEE HEARING TOMORROW IN OLYMPIA

HB 1527, the companion bill in the House, is having a hearing tomorrow at 8:00 am in the House Finance Committee.  Join us in Olympia to sign in support of the bill.  More details can be found here.

Come one, come all – to the House Finance Committee Hearing!

Friday, January 27 at 8:00 am in Olympia

Our team in Olympia has asked us to rally the troops and recruit our local cast and crew, business owners and film supporters to join us in Olympia at 8:00 am on Friday, January 27^th at the House Finance Committee Hearing.

There will be a panel of film professionals testifying on behalf of HB 1527, the bill to renew the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program. But we also need to fill the room with Keep Film in WA supporters who will sign in on behalf of the bill and be present at the hearing.

Yes, we know it’s an early “call time” and that Olympia is a journey for most of you, but it is so very important that the members of the House Finance Committee feel the passion of this industry. We’ve got one shot to make a big impression!

So caravan, carpool or take public transportation – just PLEASE meet us there!

House Finance Committee Hearing

• Friday, January 27, 2017
• 8:00 am
• John L. O’Brien Building

RSVP: [email protected]

If you arrive early, join other attendees in the cafeteria located in the Pritchard Building on the Capitol Campus.

About HB 1527

Prime sponsored by Representative Marcus Riccelli (3,D), HB 1527 maintains the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program at its current level of $3.5 million per calendar year with a sunset date of July 1, 2027.  The bill also allows for a one-time allocation of up to $3 million for a major motion picture production with a total budget of at least $20 million that portrays a significant historical event in Washington. If no such production is secured by July 1, 2019, the allocation will be returned to the general fund.

The elected officials from the 36th legislative district – Representative Noel Frame, Representative Gael Tarleton and Senator Reuven Carlyle – will be hosting an in-district town hall event THIS SUNDAY.

At the Town Hall event, the elected officials will report on the state-of-the-state in Olympia, and there is time for constituents from the district to ask questions about particular issues.

The Keep Film in WA Campaign is putting together a group of local film professionals from the 36th to attend the event and remind them how important it is that the production incentive program (and the film office) get renewed this legislative session. We need to remind them that the program sunsets June 30, 2017, and the time to act is NOW!

Here are the details for the event…

Sunday, January 29

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Ballard High School – Library

1418 NW 65th St, Seattle, WA 98117

To RSVP email [email protected].

Once we get your RSVP, we will get back to you with additional details.

Please join us!

Hearing in House Finance Committee Scheduled for Friday, January 27^th

We are pleased to announce that House Bill 1527 (HB1527) has been introduced in the House of Representatives.  Prime sponsored by Representative Marcus Riccelli (3,D), the bill maintains the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program at its current level of $3.5 million per calendar year with a sunset date of July 1, 2027.  The bill also allows for a one-time allocation of up to $3 million for a major motion picture production with a total budget of at least $20 million that portrays a significant historical event in Washington. If no such production is secured by July 1, 2019, the allocation will be returned to the general fund.

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The bill is supported by a geographically diverse group of Democrats and Republicans across the state.  We would like to thank the following sponsors:

• Prime Sponsor Representative Marcus Riccelli (3,D)
• Representative Ed Orcutt (20, R)
• Representative Jeff Holy (6, R)
• Representative J.T. Wilcox (2, R)
• Representative Brandon Vick (18, R)
• Representative Mike Volz (R, 6)
• Representative Vincent Buys (42, R)
• Representative Joan McBride (48, D)
• Representative June Robinson (38, D)
• Representative Monica Jurado Stonier (49, D)
• Representative Shelly Short (7, R)
• Representative Bob McCaslin (4, R)
• Representative Lillian Ortiz-Self (21, D)
• Representative Terry Nealey (16, R)
• Representative Jeff Morris (40, D)
• Representative Jay Rodne (5, R)
• Representative Melanie Stambaugh (25, R)
• Representative GaelTarleton (36, D)
• Representative Sharon Wylie (49, D)
• Representative Cindy Ryu (32, D)
• Representative Gerry Pollet (46, D)
• Representative Larry Springer (45, D)
• Representative Nicole Macri (43, D)
• Representative Mike Chapman (24, D)

The House Finance Committee has scheduled a hearing for HB1527 on Friday, January 27 at 8:00 am in Olympia.  The hearing will take place in Hearing Room A in the John L. O’Brien Building.  The bill must be heard in committee (and voted on) before it can make its way to the House floor for a vote.

Call to Action:

WRITE YOUR TWO REPRESENTATIVES

Write your two Representatives in the House and ask them to support HB1527, the bill to maintain the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program.  If your Representative has sponsored the bill, thank them for their support. Don’t know who your legislators are? Find out here.

ATTEND HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARING

Attend the House Finance Committee hearing on Friday, January 27^th at 8:00 am in Hearing Room A located in the John L. O’Brien Building.  Here is a link to the Capitol Campus Map and Parking Information. If you have one, wear your Keep Film in WA tee-shirt.  If you haven’t had a chance to buy one yet, just wear something green. If you plan to attend, please email us at [email protected] to let us know you’ll be there.