Film Ready Toolkit
Welcome to the Film Ready Toolkit
Film can be found all over Washington State, generating millions of dollars in economic activity and bringing recognition to our local communities. This toolkit is packed with resources designed to help before, during and after film productions arrive in your community.
Attracting Film to Your Community
Our Reel-Scout Location Database is one of the first stops for film location managers and scouts looking for places to film in Washington State. Listing film friendly locations here is key to attracting film to your community. The resources below will help you determine which locations to submit and guide you through the simple upload process
Taking great location photos is easier than you think. No fancy equipment or experience needed!
Rural locations get a special designation in our database. Find out where your location stands with this handy map!
Working With Private Property Owners
As you add locations to our database, you may work with community members interested in listing their property as a potential filming location. These resources will help you assist property owners in navigating the world of film.
What’s it like to have filming take place on your property? Hear from local businesses about their film experiences.
This FAQ page walks you through some common questions you may receive from property owners about film.
These guidelines offer property owners some points to take into consideration as they work with film productions.
Building a Film Ready Community
It is important for film ready communities to develop community filming guidelines and designate a Regional Film Liaison. This will help set expectations and establish a line of communication between the community, film productions and Washington Filmworks for future film projects.
Community Filming Guidelines
Consider these goals as you create guidelines for filming in your community. Check out the City of Issaquah's Film Manual for inspiration.
What Is a Regional Film Liaison?
Learn more about the essential role Regional Film Liaisons have to play in Washington's film industry.
When Film Comes to Town
A production wants to film in your community — great news! But what now? Following these steps can help you proceed with confidence.
1. Ask Questions
Get the details you need when a production inquires about filming in your community with these key questions.
2. Tell Us What's Filming
Once you’ve got the details, let us know what’s filming in your area so we can provide support.
3. Review the Code of Conduct
If a production company is not adhering to this Production Code Of Conduct, please contact Washington Filmworks.
Sample Documents
As you work with film productions in your community, you may encounter some of these documents. Take a look at the samples below so you know what to expect when the real thing lands on your desk.
Non Disclosure Agreement
Working with a production may require signing a non disclosure agreement. Learn more with our NDA Frequently Asked Questions.
Film Permit
Film permits are issued by government bodies and allow productions to film. This sample is provided by the City of Issaquah.
Certificate of Insurance
Film locations and permitting agencies may request to verify or be added to a production's insurance coverage.
About Washington Filmworks
Washington Filmworks is a legislatively commissioned nonprofit organization that manages the production incentive program, the statewide film office and the state’s workforce development programs for the film industry. Learn more about our work using the links below.
We offer competitive cash back incentives for motion picture projects filming in Washington State. Additional enhanced incentives are available for projects that film in rural counties or tell the story of a historically underrepresented community.
Our Film Office provides unparalleled support to Washington State productions — incentive project or not! This includes location services, a production directory for local film crew and service providers, and a statewide network of regional film liaisons.
Built for the long game, our workforce development programs are helping rising filmmakers from historically underrepresented communities level up and building the crew base needed to sustain a thriving film industry in Washington State.
Additional Information and Resources
Become the expert in your community and dive in with even more local resources.
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