Ninety-five percent of filmmakers are wonderful to work with. Your relationships will be based on communication, trust, and the willingness to accommodate last minute changes. The rewards are a community that feels proud and excited, free marketing of your area, possible tourism dollars, production dollars spent in the area, some local hires, and great stories to share.

Guidelines should be:

• Clear
• Predictable
• Consistent
• Fast turnaround when necessary
• FLEXIBLE
• No hidden surprises

Community’s Goals

• Clear Guidelines that make efficient use of staff time.
• Allow the community to live and work with a minimum of disturbance.
• Make sure the community knows what to expect. For bigger projects, hold a community meeting with a representative from the company and from Washington Filmworks.
• A system that can accommodate last minute requests and change.
• Expect that the company will follow the WA State Production Code of Conduct.
• Advise company of any city ordinances (i.e. noise after 10pm).
• If the film company is going to block business for a day, they should pay compensation for business lost, NOT for expected profit, as that is not predictable. Talk to the company about assigning a Production Assistant to be the liaison to the city to make sure people can get in and out of stores and to help coordinate with the police.
• Require a damage deposit.
• Ask to see the pages in the script where the community is involved.
• Call Washington Filmworks if there are any concerns or problems.

Washington Filmworks Goals

• To have community guidelines that are flexible, but that a company can budget off of; that protects your community; and that allows both parties to work effectively together.
• Guidelines that are hassle-free but promote responsible filmmaking.
• Reasonable system for approvals that can accommodate speed and change.
• Tiered fee structure based on impact that is reasonable and competitive.
• Filming should never cost a community money.
• City guidelines and fees are separate from location fees.
• One primary contact for each party.
• Use the WA State Production Code of Conduct.
• Call Washington Filmworks with any questions or concerns.

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