Keep Film in WA

CALL TO ACTION

Join us for Film Day, Tuesday January 21, 2020!!

Each year film and creative professionals from around the state descend on Olympia to meet with their Representatives and Senator to talk about why film is important in Washington State.

These face-to-face conversations have proven to be one of the most powerful ways in which we can convey how the work we do creates jobs, drives economic activity and makes this Washington a more interesting place to live! Please join us to have these very important conversations.

RSVP HERE

- Mia Yoshida, Production Assistant, District 3

The film incentive means that I am able to pursue my dream career of storytelling. Financially I would not be able to pursue this dream if future work prospects were to go away. Having work opportunities in Washington means that I am able to work with the many talented people I have met in this industry. I look forward to working more with these people to create meaningful, exciting, and inspiring stories.

Photo Credit: Daniel Schaefer

Faces of Film

- Joseph Reding, Key Set Production Assistant , District 3

The incentive program is what brings film to Washington and it creates jobs for people like me. Without the incentive, a lot of people will lose work and if it doesn’t get renewed, I fear for what I would have to do with my career.

Each day is never the same on a film set. You're always having new experiences on set. My favorite thing is being able to see and be apart of how a film or television episode is made. People do not realize how may people it takes to make an episode. You can spend hours shooting a three-minute scene and it takes 70 people to make sure that it is perfect.

Photo Credit: Daniel Schaefer

Faces of Film

My films have spent millions, not just in Seattle, but in the central part of the state (where we shot Eden) and in the mountains (where we shot parts of Lucky Them).

Money has flowed from these productions to all manner of businesses, from hotels to restaurants to hardware stores, groceries, furniture shops, thrift stores, gas stations, airlines, equipment rental houses, and probably most importantly, the bank accounts of our great local actors and crew members, which then goes to pay their own living expenses and support our statewide economy.

- Megan Griffiths, Director, District 37

Faces of Film

Filming happens in communities throughout Washington State. Whether it's a commercial, a feature film, a non-fiction television show, or a student film, the MPCP (Motion Picture Competitiveness Program) and the state film office works with local and national film professionals to bring these projects to life.

PRODUCTION SPOTLIGHT

These projects have filmed in every legislative district in the state. Check out our Production Spotlight section to learn what's been filmed in your hometown!

CALL TO ACTION

There are 49 legislative districts across Washington State and each district elects a Senator and two Representatives. There were some shake-ups in the 2018 election season which resulted in one in five new legislators, so we encourage you to take the time to identify who your legislators are that represent you in Olympia.

You can do that by visiting the Washington State Legislature Finder. Our goal is to identify creative professionals in every district in Washington State.

FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR

What is Keep Film in WA?

Keep Film in WA is a grassroots advocacy campaign powered by creative professionals across Washington State.

The intent is to communicate how vital the film industry is to Washington State and how the Washington Filmworks production incentive program builds a strong and robust creative economy.

Since launching the MPCP in 2007, over 21,700 jobs have been created for Washingtonians and approved film projects have brought in an estimated $138 million of direct in-state spending.

Read on to get informed, get involved, and share your story.

Get Informed

Get Involved

Share Your Story

GET INFORMED

This section of the website is designed to give the community tools and tips about how to lobby. Take a look and find out the information you need to get your voice heard.

How To Lobby

Meeting with your elected officials can be one of the most powerful ways to advocate for the film industry and your career.

Legislators want to hear your thoughts and opinions because you are a constituent. To make the most of your conversation, check out the Meeting With Legislators Tools and Tips document which will help outline the do’s and don’ts of meeting with elected officials.

How To Lobby

Know Your District, Know Your Legislator

There are 49 legislative districts across Washington State and each district elects a Senator and two Representatives. There were some shake-ups during the 2018 election season, so we encourage you to take the time to identify who your legislators are that represent you in Olympia. You can do that by visiting the Washington State Legislature Finder. If you have recently moved and you are now living in a different legislative district, let us know by sending an email.

Find Your Legislator

Keep Film in WA Fact Sheet

Since 2007, the MPCP has financially supported over 126 projects. These motion picture productions have created 21,700 jobs for local residents and invested an estimated $138 million directly into our statewide economy. And in 2019, Washington Filmworks launched Local Lens, a new funding strategy that makes Washington State the first production incentive program in the country to reserve it’s funding exclusively for projects creatively driven by local residents.

2020 Fact Sheet

NEWS AND INFORMATION

For the most up to date information about the advocacy campaign and to find out about specific Calls to Action, or check out our Keep Film in WA blog here.

Thanks for Coming to Film Day 2020!

Film Day 2020 was a smashing success! And it’s all because of you. Despite the rain, over 100 people represented a majority of the legislative districts across Washington State, meeting with elected officials and legislative staff to remind them how the film industry impacts Washington State through job creation, economic activity, and cultural enrichment. It […]

Film Day 2020 in Olympia: What You Need To Know

Tuesday, January 21 is Film Day 2020 in Olympia! Even if you didn’t RSVP, you can still join us to meet your legislators face-to-face and remind them how the film industry impacts Washington State through job creation, economic activity, and cultural enrichment. Here’s a quick snapshot of what you need to know before heading to Olympia…. […]

Last Day to RSVP for Film Day is January 15, 2020

Don’t let the snow stop you! Don’t let the weather stop you from this important opportunity to meet with legislators face-to-face and remind them how the film industry impacts Washington State through job creation, economic activity, and cultural enrichment. If you’re not working next Tuesday, PLEASE come out and help raise the profile of film in Washington State at […]

IMPACT

The MPCP is proud to have financially supported projects that have filmed in Washington State since 2007. Here are some highlights from the program’s economic impact.

0 PROJECTS

have received funding assistance

0 MILLION DOLLARS

estimated direct in-state spending

0 JOBS

created for Washingtonians

GET INVOLVED

The heart and soul of the Keep Film in WA campaign are the powerful voices of our local cast and crew and the inspiring grassroots activism of the statewide film community. Not only is there strength in our numbers but also power in personal stories that remind our elected officials about the important impact of our industry. The Get Involved section of the website is designed to give our community easy and effective ways to reach out to the legislature in support of the renewal of the production incentive program. Read on to find out how you can be involved. And remember – all politics are LOCAL. It is critical that legislators hear from creative professionals and business owners that live or work in their district.

Email A Business Letter of Support

Motion picture production impacts every sector of Washington’s economy. If you own a business that is supported by or works with the film and creative industries, consider sharing this Business Letter of Support.

Find a Sample Letter Here

SHARE YOUR STORY

Washington’s filmmaking industry is by definition a diverse collection of inspired storytellers and we want to continue to highlight that when reaching out to policy makers. Our story is so much more than economic impact data, it’s about the local businesses and resident cast and crew who live and work in Washington State. So read on to find out how you can share your personal story with our community and elected officials.

Faces of Film is a series of photographs intimately highlighting the people and faces behind the films of Washington State, and showing the public and legislators the lives (and livelihoods) that are at stake if the incentive program disappears.

PRODUCTION SPOTLIGHT

Filming happens in communities throughout Washington State. Whether it’s a commercial, a feature film, a non-fiction television show, or a student film, the MPCP (Motion Picture Competitiveness Program) and the state film office works with local and national film professionals to bring these projects to life.

These projects have filmed in every legislative district in the state. Check out our Production Spotlight section to learn what’s been filmed in your hometown! And if you live in a district where something was filmed, share it with your legislators! Don’t know who your legislators are? Find them here.

District 25: Mysteries at the Castle
There’s no shortage of incredible locations in Washington State including the Meeker Mansion in Puyallup, which recently hosted the Travel Channel’s show Mysteries at the Castle. This is what the News Tribune had to say about hoisting the show locally: The program, which takes viewers behind the scenes of historic and opulent estates, will showcase [...]
District 47: Recoil 3
Recoil 3 made a guest appearance in Washington State using the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe’s land as a backdrop. Recoil 3 is just one of the hundreds of projects the film office works works with each year. Film office projects are generally smaller, more nimble productions than the blockbusters that come through the production incentive program, [...]
District 46: World’s Greatest Dad
"World's Greatest Dad provided me with gainful employment and an opportunity to witness the protocols on a larger-budget production, which gave me a competitive edge and a deeper sense of confidence on future projects." – Megan Griffiths, Filmmaker
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 [...]
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