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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
On Monday, January 9th the 2012 Legislative
Session opened in Olympia. Legislators face a challenging mix of social issues
and tough decisions about Washington’s budget deficit. In his opening day
remarks, House Speaker Rep. Frank Chopp announced job creation as a top
priority for 2012. The legislature announced a transportation
infrastructure jobs bill this week.
We expect to see more action on the Motion
Picture Competitiveness Program in the Senate soon. However, any real
progress on legislation that impacts the budget may have to wait until state
revenue projections are released on February 16th. Check in at our legislative blog for up to date information.
Govenor Chris Gregoire has declared February 1st Arts and
Heritage Day in Washington. Executive Director of the Washington State
Arts Alliance, Mark Gerth, will be in Olympia, along with hundreds of arts
advocates, discussing a number of proposed bills that would impact the
creative sector. The Washington State Arts Alliance is a supporter of the
Motion Picture Competitiveness Program and calls it an important part of
Washington’s arts economy. If you’d like to participate in Arts and
Heritage day find out more information here.
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A BIG MONTH FOR WASHINGTON FILM
At Sundance 2012 projects with connections to the
Emerald State have been hogging the headlines. Washington Filmworks did not
attend the festival this year, focusing our energies on the renewal of the
Motion Picture Competitiveness Program instead. The great news is that we
were able to share in the celebration thanks to all the buzz for
Washington-based projects.
Washington incentive feature film ‘Safety Not
Guaranteed’ charmed audiences and industry members alike. Every day we
read new praise for the feature film that was shot in and around Seattle in
2011. The timing of ‘Safety’s’ success provides a fantastic example that
illustrates that the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program works.
In a recent Seattle Times article, ‘Safety’
director and screenwriter, Colin Trevorrow, said his film would
not have been based in Washington without the state’s film incentive program.
“Film is the rare art that is also a business, and the incentive
program allows government to support the creative community while
simultaneously invigorating the local economy,” Trevorrow said.
“It’s good economics, it’s good politics, and most importantly, it’s smart
preventative care for the creative health of Washington State.”
Check out some of the other ‘Safety’ press.
Seattle at Sundance: ‘Safety Not Guaranteed’ inks deal – Seattle Times
Sundance 2012: FilmDistrict Grabs ‘Safety Not Guaranteed – The Hollywood Reporter
Time-Travel
Comedy Safety Not Guaranteed Turns Internet Meme Into Romance – Wired
Sundance 2012: ‘Safety’ offers time-travel heart, laughs – The LA Times Blog
Sundance
Review: ‘Safety Not Guaranteed’ – MSN
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STAY CONNECTED ON THE ROAD TO RENEWAL
We are determined to keep you in the loop on
our efforts to renew the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program. With
this in mind, we’ve launched a new blog to keep Washington informed.
Check out Take 2 to get breaking news and find out how you
can be involved.
If you already follow us on
facebook or Twitter, we’ll alert you when there’s new
information on the blog. If you only want news from the blog, sign up for
direct email alerts or follow the blog via our RSS feed. Help be a part of our grassroots
efforts by sharing news and calls for action with your own network. You
are an important part of our renewal efforts.
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WASHINGTON FILMWORKS’ LOCATION OF THE MONTH
The Market Theater Gum Wall is a quirky tourist
destination in downtown Seattle. Hidden below the Pike Place Market, the Gum
Wall is a stretch of brick wall covered in a patina of used gum, several inches
thick. This ever-changing piece of community art has been an attraction
at the Market since the 1990s, when the public tradition began. The Wall serves
as a intriguing backdrop and was featured in the 2009 Washington incentive film
‘Love Happens’, starring Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart.
Filming in and around the Pike Place Market
represents an exciting challenge for any filmmaker – one that can pay off with
big results. Like many attractions in the area, the Gum Wall is not an
official part of the Market. Permits for Post Alley are issued by the Seattle
Office of Film + Music, but filmmakers will need to notify and work with
surrounding businesses to ensure their shoot goes smoothly. The Pike Place
Market is a vibrant and colorful location, but as with any tourist destination,
make certain to allow significant time to prepare.
Be sure to add your contribution to the Gum
Wall while you’re there.
For inquiries about The Market Theater Gum Wall
and other locations connected to the Pike Place Market, please contact Chris
Swenson, Film Program Coordinator for the Seattle Office of Film + Music.
Email chris.swenson@seattle.gov.
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