Washington creatives: the Washington Filmworks Innovation Lab is back in action! But if you want to get funded, you’ll need to attend one of our mandatory Innovation Lab Application meetings. See below for information about the upcoming meetings this month, FAQs about the Innovation Lab, and background information.
We look forward to seeing you in Seattle, Spokane and Bellingham!
Innovation Lab Meeting Information:
*To attend: Please RSVP to rsvp@washingtonfilmworks.org and indicate which meeting you will attend*
Innovation Lab Meeting – Seattle
Saturday, July 26, 2014 from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
SIFF Film Center on the Seattle Center Campus
305 Harrison Street, Seattle
Innovation Lab Meeting – Spokane
Sunday, July 27, 2014 from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Red Lion Hotel at the Park, Conference Room
303 West North River Drive, Spokane
Innovation Lab Meeting – Bellingham
Tuesday, August 5, 2014 from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Pickford Film Center
1318 Bay Street, Bellingham
FAQs About the Innovation Lab
- Q: The Guidelines and Criteria state that funding assistance will only be awarded for the physical production of motion picture content. Does this meant that postproduction expenses are not eligible?
- A: Washington Filmworks considers all preproduction, production, and postproduction for motion picture content eligible costs, as long as they fulfill the definitions of qualified Washington Spend.
- Q: I have already shot part of my project. Am I still eligible to apply?
- A: Principal photography may not commence until the project has been approved by WF and a production agreement has been signed. If you are applying for an episodic project and have already shot a pilot, you may only apply for funding assistance towards episodes not yet shot. All qualified expenditures must be incurred after the date of the Filmworks Innovation Lab Funding Letter of Intent.
- Q: The Guidelines and Criteria state that projects must comply with all State and Federal laws, including labor laws relating to minimum wage and overtime requirements. Can I have my friends and family volunteer on the production?
- A: Volunteers are not allowed in a “for-profit” business. Any individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, or any person or group of persons acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer, who permits any individual to work, is subject to the provisions of the Minimum Wage Act. http://lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/files/policies/esa1.pdf This means that for-profit productions must pay cast, crew, and extras at least minimum wage and the associated payroll taxes.
- Q: What happens if I miss this application window? Can I apply again?
- A: Washington Filmworks will accept applications for this cycle from August 21 – August 28, 2014. WF plans to accept applications again in February 2015.
- Q: I have applied in past cycles but was not accepted. Can I re-apply?
- A: If a project is not approved for funding assistance in the current funding cycle, the applicant may submit the project for reconsideration in a future funding cycle if significant changes have been made to the project.
- Q: The Guidelines and Criteria refers to a Jury. Who are the jurors?
- A: The identities of the jurors are not released until after deliberations are complete and funding assistance has been finalized.
The Filmworks Innovation Lab is designed to invest in our local creative community and to encourage the development of original storytelling that capitalizes on new forms of production and technology. By leveraging our existing film infrastructure and the diversity of our in-state technology resources, Washington is uniquely positioned to incubate a groundbreaking digital entertainment platform that fosters a new Creative Economy for Washington State.
What is Available?
The Filmworks Innovation Lab offers funding assistance as a return on qualified in-state expenditures on the production of motion picture content (including labor and talent who are Washington State residents). Projects must spend between $25,000 – $499,999 in Washington and it is important to note that this is not a grant, rather a reimbursement on a project’s investment in utilizing Washington State workers, vendors and goods. The level of funding assistance is determined per project and varies according to each approved project’s merit and application.
Application Process
Washington Filmworks will accept applications from August 21 – August 28, 2014. For a detailed description of the application process, see the current Filmworks Innovation Lab Guidelines and Criteria (dated 5/28/14).
Have questions? Please direct them to Lab@WashingtonFilmworks.org or call staff at 206-264-0667.