Monthly Archives: May, 2017

Faces of Film Katy Evans

May 31st, 2017 Posted by Faces of Film 0 comments on “Faces of Film Katy Evans”

“The future of film in Washington begins in local film clubs and camps. At The Grand Cinema, our youth work with professional filmmakers (some of whom volunteer their time to help out) to bring their own unique perspectives to the big screen. In the past four years, our students have made more than 50 short films. Through this process, they are empowered, and it’s obvious when they share in their filmmaker Q&As: ‘I can’t believe our movie actually came together! We really had to be patient and listen to each other.’ ‘I learned I wasn’t the only person in our group with good ideas.’ ‘Time management became so important—we had to know exactly what we were doing before we did it or it wouldn’t work out.’ ‘Sometimes it was crazy and frustrating, but in the end, we did an awesome job working together.’ These students are our future production crews, our future innovators, our future actors, directors, and producers. Our support and investment in them ensures their individual success and our own vibrant, growing creative economy.”

– Katy Evans, Assistant Executive Director at The Grand Cinema

Behind the Olympia Curtain – May 2017

May 25th, 2017 Posted by blog 0 comments on “Behind the Olympia Curtain – May 2017”

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!

The Status of the Bill

On Tuesday May 23rd, Governor Inslee called the state legislature into a second special session, immediately following the adjournment of the first. This means the negotiation of Washington’s 2-year operating budget will continue for another 30-day period, and pressure will be on elected officials to finalize the budget by June 30th in order to avoid a partial government shut down. 

As before, the legislation to renew the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program (MPCP) is considered Necessary to the Implementation of the Budget (NTIB) and thus remains on the negotiating table and in play during this special session. Programs like the MPCP are often negotiated behind closed doors, sometimes in the last days of session, so it’s likely that our campaign will be going down to the wire.

This month the Keep Film in WA campaign will be issuing several calls to action. When you see them, please ACT on them-the clock is ticking.

Launch of Production Spotlight

You may have seen that in addition to the Faces of Film campaign highlighting the individuals that make up Washington’s film community, we’ve now launched Production Spotlight, which aims to shine a light on the many productions that have shot across Washington State. 

In this campaign, we highlight one production from each and every one of Washington’s 49 legislative districts. Whether it’s a car commercial pulling off a breathtaking helicopter shot over one of Washington’s winding roadways, an indie film making use of some gorgeous local scenery, or an Animal Planet show about cats being rescued from trees, film production has occurred in every corner of this state. For an industry sometimes best known for its few high profile productions, we thought it was important to remind people of that in fact the scope of the film industry is quite broad, with production happening all around us and taking on many forms. 

Through targeted outreach, we’re encouraging constituents to share their district’s profile with their legislators to remind them that film production occurs at home in their district too. As we continue to move the Production Spotlight around Washington, please keep an eye for your district’s profile, and when it’s published, help us get the word out by sending a link to your legislators!

Getting Creative

It’s no secret that we spend a lot of time writing our legislators in the course of the Keep Film in WA campaign, so we thought it was time to freshen things up a little by adopting a new method of communication.

Acting on inside intelligence that Speaker of the House Frank Chopp has a soft spot for Junior Mints, we devised a plan to incorporate the treat into a mailer campaign, with the goal of making our message completely irresistible to him.

Pairing each box of Junior mints with a photo of a film industry constituent and a short, handwritten note from that constituent about our campaign, these little care packages to Speaker Chopp are sort of like edible Faces of Film profiles.

We have 30 days to make a lasting impression on legislators, so use this crafty communication as inspiration to get creative!

Press Coverage in May

As our campaign continues through the special session, constituents have been energized to advocate for the Keep Film in WA campaign by writing letters to the editors of their local papers.

In the last month, we’ve been pleased to see letters in support of the film incentive appear in the pages of the The Spokesman Review, The Everett Herald, and the Tri-City Herald. If you’re interested in writing to your local paper, but don’t know how to go about it, we’re happy to give pointers. Please email us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!

In addition to the positive mail, our campaign also received attention in the Yakima Herald. Washington Filmworks Executive Director Amy Lillard spoke with reporter Donald Meyers for a piece that focused on the film production in the Yakima Valley. Read it online right here. 

“I Make…”: The Talent Behind Washington’s Film Industry

May 25th, 2017 Posted by blog 0 comments on ““I Make…”: The Talent Behind Washington’s Film Industry”

Keeping Washington State’s talented cast and crew local is critical to maintaining a vibrant motion picture industry.

In this PSA entitled I Make… get to know some of the skilled craftsmen and artists who are members of our incredible creative community, who make Washington home, and who make motion picture production a reality across the state.

Thanks again to the students and faculty of the Seattle Film Institute for their work in producing this public service announcement for the Keep Film in WA campaign. We are also grateful to all the people who appeared in front of the camera to lend a voice of support.

To hear more from Washington’s film community (including some of the fine folks who appear in this video), check out our Faces of Film profiles, where we go in depth with individuals about their experience working in Washington State and the critical role that the film incentive has had on their careers.

As a reminder, unless legislative action is taken, the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program will expire on June 30.

It is imperative that legislators continue to hear from you during the next 30 days so that we keep the film bill in the Olympia conversation.

Call to Action:

Make your voice heard. Please send this public service announcement to your elected officials.  Remind them of the importance of a vibrant cast and crew base in Washington State and ask them to help secure the future of state’s film industry by including the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program in the final budget.

District 42: Artist Point

May 24th, 2017 Posted by Production Spotlight 0 comments on “District 42: Artist Point”

Production companies love the scenic beauty of SR 542. The diverse terrain and winding roads are a big draw and have been the backdrop for many car commercials for such brands as, Audi, Cadillac, Chevy, Ford, GMC, Honda, Lexus, Mercedes and Porsche. Washington Filmworks helps production companies to find the perfect location to showcase products and SR 542 often wins them over.

Faces of Film: Van Alan

May 24th, 2017 Posted by Faces of Film 0 comments on “Faces of Film: Van Alan”

“Telling a 1930s noir story with robots is challenging enough, but knowing that WashingtonFilmworks had my back as a filmmaker made the production of Automata: The Series a wonderful experience. There’s a lot of talent here in Washington State, and the support from the Innovation Lab afforded me the opportunity to bring this project to life, for which I am forever grateful. We have cultivated such a wonderful film community that has such a positive impact on culture and economy, I really hope we get to continue to tell stories that deeply move people in our beloved state.”

– Van Alan, Director Automata

A Second 30-Day Special Session Has Begun

May 23rd, 2017 Posted by blog 0 comments on “A Second 30-Day Special Session Has Begun”

This afternoon, Governor Inslee called the legislature into a second special session, immediately following the adjournment of the first. This means the negotiation of Washington’s 2-year operating budget will continue for another 30-day period, and pressure will be on elected officials to finalize the budget by June 30th in order to avoid a partial government shut down. 

As before, the legislation to renew the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program (MPCP) is considered Necessary to the Implementation of the Budget (NTIB) and thus remains on the negotiating table and in play during this special session. Programs like the MPCP are often negotiated behind closed doors, sometimes in the last days of session, so it’s likely that our campaign will be going down to the wire.


Call to Action:

It is imperative during these 30 days that we keep the film bill in the Olympia conversation. Please take this opportunity to write, email, call, (or even tweet at!) your legislators and ask them to ensure that the final budget includes an extension of the MPCP. 

If you’ve spoken with your legislators in the past, please reach out again and keep the dialogue alive. During this next month, it is absolutely critical for the Keep Film in WA campaign that the film professionals of Washington State let their advocacy for the MPCP be heard in Olympia. 

Faces of Film: Ron Leamon

May 18th, 2017 Posted by blog, Faces of Film 0 comments on “Faces of Film: Ron Leamon”

Welcome to the Keep Film in WA Series – The Faces of Film!

This series aims to shine a spotlight on the people behind the films of Washington State, using portraits of them at work to remind the public and legislators the lives (and livelihoods) that are at stake if the incentive program disappears on June 30. Along with each portrait, the cast or crew member will share in their own words the important role that the incentive has had in creating their career and why it is important to have a vibrant film industry in Washington State. We hope that these photographs serve as inspiration, and that you share your story with us ([email protected]) and social media (#keepfilminwa)—and most importantly with the elected officials that represent you in Olympia!

Name: Ronald Leamon

City: I live in Seattle and have since relocating here in 1987

Describe your work: Costume designer

Time in Industry: 37 years

Talk a little bit about your work

I provide the looks you see on all the on-camera talent. I’ve costume designed for film, television, commercials, and corporate industrials. I’ve also done personal styling for some of our well-known local corporate leaders. My budgets range from $1.5 million, for a mini series, to $2000, for a corporate video, and every dollar I spend, from socks to dry cleaning, goes back into the local economy.

What do you enjoy most about the work that you do? About being on set?

I love the hands-on nature of the work I do, the camaraderie of the film crew, and the joy I get from working in the local community.

How has the incentive program played a part in your career growth?

Because of the incentive being provided to the industry, my career continues to grow, in the sense of meeting new clients and new crew base. 

What kind of financial benefits have you seen or experienced in your greater community?

The film incentive can only mean increased sales in the local communities where filming takes place, and at the same time it keeps the industry crew base gainfully employed within their trained field.

What would you like legislators to know about the incentive renewal?

Renewing this legislation is not a tax burden or gift to the corporate world. It’s further investment in a constantly changing industry, which is contributing to the development of new technology within our own state.

What would happen with your film career and life if it were to go away?

My film career will continue to flourish, but in a different state. Though I would continue to live here, I would unfortunately be paying taxes and spending my film budget in another state.

Faces of Film: Peter Tiemann

May 17th, 2017 Posted by Faces of Film 0 comments on “Faces of Film: Peter Tiemann”

“I have been a stunt coordinator and performer for 17 years in Washington State. It has been my passion to help local filmmakers keep their talent safe while making their scripts come to life with the action they envisioned for their films, web series, music videos and other forms of media. I’ve maintained a 100% accident free, safe film set environment. I will be returning to Z Nation for my second season as the Effects Coordinator, and I can say that without the incentive here in Washington I would not have the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of professionals. Please help Keep Film in WA.”

– Peter Tiemann, Stunt Coordinator

Follow the Screens

May 16th, 2017 Posted by blog 0 comments on “Follow the Screens”

Just look around you and it’s hard to deny that screens have become a major presence in our lives. They’re around us in our homes, at school, and in the work place. 

And as we continue to consume this content, it’s important that elected officials take a step back and realize that content creation means job creation. Each piece of professionally produced content we consume is the result of hours of work from a team of people working behind the scenes: grips, gaffers, make up artists, actors, computer graphics artist, the list goes on. When our major Washington-based businesses use content to tell their story, they need a talented cast and crew to support the effort, and it’s the goal of the Keep Film in WA campaign to keep this work local.

The Motion Picture Competitiveness Program ensures a steady stream of in-state film production, which allows Washington to maintain a rich pool of film industry talent in residence. More in-state talent means more in-state content creation and more investment in communities across the state.

Speaking of digital content creation, this video was created by the talented students and faculty at the Seattle Film Institute, and encourages our elected officials to “Follow The Screens” to learn how content is part of our every day lives.

Call to Action:

Share this video across social media, and with your state legislators. Remind them that the enormous demand for digital content can and should mean jobs for in-state film production professionals, provided we do what it takes to support that industry. The Motion Picture Competitiveness Program (MPCP) keeps our talent local so that Washington businesses can create content right here at home!

Please send this public service announcement to your elected officials and ask them to help secure the future of state’s film industry by including the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program in the final budget.

District 35: Dark Woods Justice

May 15th, 2017 Posted by Production Spotlight 0 comments on “District 35: Dark Woods Justice”

“Brian Jones and Josh Sanz from PSG Films, were very professional and excellent to work with while they were producing the show Dark Woods Justice.”

– Sheriff Casey Salisbury, Mason County Sheriff’s Office