You may know her as the actress who portrayed Shelly Tambo on Northern Exposure, but Cynthia Geary’s biggest role may just be as a mother of two school-age girls. And as a longtime resident of Washington State, she understands the gravity of the situation concerning education funding, but she doesn’t see education and film as competing issues.

Instead, she points out that the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program serves as a source of tax revenue for Washington and suggests that the presence of a healthy film industry in the state will actually benefit the public school system. And the data bears that out. Since 2007, film productions have brought in an estimated $116 million in in-state spending. That includes taxable production spending at local businesses like restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, and hotels, as well as location rental fees, which are also taxed by the state. The bottom line is: more in-state spending means more tax revenue for Washington, which can be used to fund education.

This Public Service Announcement (PSA) was produced by students and faculty at the Seattle Film Institute as part of a series supporting the Keep Film in WA campaign—in case you missed them, past PSAs can all be found on our YouTube channel.

We’re especially grateful to Cynthia Geary for lending her voice to this campaign and sharing her unique perspective as a Washington State parent and film industry veteran. 

Call to Action:

Share this PSA on social media and email it to your legislator.

Remind legislators that increased business activity means increased tax revenue, and that the modest investment we make in the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program has shown to generate economic growth and significant taxable in-state spending. 

American Grit, District 2

In our ongoing effort to empower the film community with advocacy tools, we are pleased to introduce the new series, Production Spotlight. This series features one film production in every legislative district, a reminder to elected officials that the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program benefits urban and rural communities across the state.

Beachfront Bargain Hunt, District 19

It’s important to remind legislators that Washington Filmworks is the only statewide agency that markets Washington as a destination for motion picture production. The production incentive program and the more than 20 years of production resource information available through the film office division are invaluable tools that help local and national filmmakers bring their commercials, feature films, nonfiction television shows and student films to life.

Lucky Them, District 27

Production Spotlight debuts today profiling a diversity of projects that have filmed in districts 2, 17, 18, 19, 21, and 27. If you live in one of those districts, check out the Call to Action below and write your legislators TODAY.  In the coming weeks, watch for this page to grow as the spotlight moves across Washington, creating an extensive portrait of the work that this state’s film industry has already created and hopefully inspiring support for the renewal of the MPCP, which helps make it all possible.

Call to Action:

Check out our Production Spotlight section to learn what’s been filmed in your hometown! When you see your district come up, share the link with your legislator to let them know that film production benefits your district as well.

Do you have a project you’re working on or planning in your district? Include some info about your plans when you contact your legislator, and remind them how much potential there remains for growth in the creative economy, right here at home. Don’t know who your legislators are? Find them here.