The Film Task Force is a group of industry and community stakeholders assembled to advise the Office of Film + Music in its advocacy for, and policy related to, the City of Seattle’s support and growth of the local film industry and community. 

The Film Task Force was developed in response to OFM’s 2019 film industry roundtable discussions, which were held to identify ways the City could improve its support for filmmaking.  The impacts from COVID-19 to the film industry have brought urgency to this work.  The need to work closely with industry and community stakeholders is more critical than ever to develop pathways forward for the industry to survive and thrive.

The Film Task Force is comprised of film crew, businesses, actors, educators, associations, festivals, and labor organization representatives.  Its combined efforts are to collaboratively advise workplan priorities for the Office of Film + Music, and to strengthen film industry and community interaction with the Office of Film + Music and City of Seattle.  

Equity and inclusivity are the core of the Film Task Force’s work to advise the City on developing prioritization of film production in its permitting and policies, and its initiatives to grow Seattle’s reputation as a filmmaking destination as the center of the creative economy.  The Film Task Force has developed four subcommittees to move these priorities forward:

• Equity and Inclusivity: Embedding equity and inclusivity into all film office functions
• Film Commission: Development of an ordained Seattle Film Commission
• City prioritization / Cornerstone of Creative Economy: Prioritizing film production in City’s permitting, policy, and public property use, and identify pathways for filmmaking to thrive
• Market Seattle: Develop branding and marketing platforms to market Seattle as a filmmaking destination

The Film Task Force is co-chaired by Shellea Allen, Executive Director of SAG-AFTRA (Seattle Local), and Anthony Tackett, Seattle-based Cinematographer and Producer.  Mayor Durkan made introductions at the Film Task Force’s first meeting in February.

“The Film Task Force was assembled to work with the city of Seattle to advocate and develop policies to market and promote economic growth of Seattle’s film industry,” says Shellea Allen. “As our industry grows, we must make sure our communities are reflected in our policies; we must make sure the folks that work in the Seattle Film Industry, can live in Seattle.  We are doing our work together through the lens of racial, social, and economic justice.  I am excited to be part of the future of film in our city and be the co-chair of the Seattle Film Task Force.”

“We will align our goals with the Mayor’s vision for an equitable city,” says Anthony Tackett. “Where people of color, people of all gender and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities have an equal, if not better, opportunity to find success and to also play a more important role in the growth and development of the creative economy. Our work with the Film Task Force has become a signal of hope for folks who have felt left out of Seattle’s amazing film community.  I am proud to be doing this work with such amazing people.”

“You need a healthy film industry to develop a strong creative industries sector,” says Chris Swenson, OFM Acting Director. “Seattle has always had an incredible film community, and we’re excited to be working with such a diverse, thoughtful, and energetic group.  We’re looking forward to implementing their great ideas.”

In the coming months, The Film Task Force will be sharing its progress with you through the OFM newsletter, direct outreach to the Film Industry, and through networking events as we are able.

UPDATE 04/06/2020
Due to the ever-evolving nature of the COVID-19 crisis, this blog post is now outdated and obsolete. For up to date information on our efforts to help the Film, Music, Nightlife, and Special Events communities during COVID-19, please visit our website.

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We at the Office of Film + Music are following the widespread impact of COVID-19 on the film, music, nightlife, and event industries.  As restrictions and resources are evolving quickly, we are working closely with our City, County, and State partners to identify best practices and resources, and share information as it is updated. 

Increased public, venue, nightlife, and event restrictions are now impacting non-public assembly work, including film productions.  Across the board, creative industry businesses, organizations, technicians, creatives, employees, nightlife, and gig workers in our region are concerned about their livelihoods.  

The Office of Film + Music wants to support you at this time. We know that business closures, travel limitations, and social distancing have already had a tremendous impact on how those in these industries make a living.  We are committed to bringing you resources and support during this unprecedented time. 

Please click below for current activity and permit restrictions and resources small businesses, employees, contractors, and gig workers can take advantage of.  Please contact our industry film, music, nightlife, and events liaisons listed at the Office of Film + Music website. 

SEATTLE PERMIT AND ASSEMBLY RESTRICTIONS AS OF MARCH 23, 2020 

Public Events 

The City of Seattle has canceled all public event permits on Parks,streets, and sidewalks through April 13, 2020.    

Nightlife, Music, and Theater Venues 

Washington State and King County have temporarily shut down restaurants, bars, and entertainment and recreational facilities until further notice.  Restaurants will be allowed to provide take-out and delivery services but no in-person dining will be permitted. The ban will not apply to grocery stores and pharmacies. Other retail outlets will have reduced occupancy.  Learn More Here

Film Production 

Per Governor Inslee’s March 23, 2020 stay-at-home order, Seattle is currently suspending film permits through April 6, 2020. 

TAKE THESE BUSINESS, EMPLOYEE, AND WORKER SURVEYS

It is critical that loss of work and business closures are tracked by State, County, and City municipalities.  Please take time to take these surveys. 

City of Seattle 

Regional Economic Impact Survey  

Small businesses, non-profit organizations, arts, and workers in the Seattle region are experiencing significant negative financial impacts due to the COVID-19. The Economic Impact Survey will identify early local and regional effects of COVID-19 in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, inform strategies for regional economic development and create the opportunity for business and nonprofit organizations/associations to collaborate in allocating much needed recovery resources.  

Washington State

Washington Filmworks – Film crew survey on loss of work 

If you are a cast or crew member in the statewide film industry who has experienced lost wages because of a delay in production, we want to hear from you. To better understand how our statewide film community has been impacted, we want to capture information about lost opportunities via this short survey. The information that you provide will give us powerful tools to help advocate on behalf of the film industry now and in the future. And please share the survey with others who are impacted in your community

TAKE THE FILM CREW SURVEY HERE  

Washington Filmworks – Washington’s Film Industry and the Coronavirus 

This contains contact information and additional resources for filmmakers to help navigate the outbreak of COVID-19 in our region. This document will be updated regularly with information that is specific to the film industry, so please check back often.  

TAKE THE FILM COMPANIES SURVEY HERE  

RESOURCES FOR FILM, MUSIC, NIGHTLIFE, AND EVENTS BUSINESSES, VENDORS, AND WORKERS 

Small Business Resources 

Seattle’s Office of Economic Development has assembled a comprehensive list of business resources, including the Small Business Stabilization Fund, and new initial actions to provide immediate relief for small businesses impacted by COVID-19, broken down into five components:  

1. Deferral of B&O Taxes, effective immediately  
2. Expansion of Small Business Stabilization Fund  
3. Assistance to Access SBA Loans, once it becomes available  
4. Relief for Utility Payments 
5. New Small Business Recovery Task Force 

LEARN MORE 

Seattle Office of Economic Development Small Business COVID-19 impacts weekly webinar 

The City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development is committed to responding to and supporting our small businesses to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19. As this is a rapidly developing issue, we will be holding weekly calls to share new developments, hear about the impacts you are experiencing, and answer your questions. Please join us every Wednesday. A recording and notes from this webinar will be posted to our Bottom Line blog https://bottomline.seattle.gov/ The next webinar is Wednesday, March 18^th from 1 p.m – 2 p.m. PTD. 

Seattle Resident Relief Packages 

Mayor Durkan and Seattle City Council are implementing a series of actions including $5M in grocery vouchers, deferring utility payments and a temporary moratorium on residential evictions, to provide relief for working people financially impacted by COVID-19.  

LEARN MORE 

King County 

King County Guidance for retail businesses and service operators to protect from the spread of COVID-19  

This guidance applies to retail businesses and service operators such as grocery stores; drug stores, movie theaters; restaurants, and other retail establishments. Public Health – Seattle & King County announced new recommendations to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in addition to earlier guidance. Retail service may continue throughout King County; and it is recommended that the following public health guidance is observed in these settings. 

LEARN MORE 

King County Creative 

Leading County-wide information on resources for the creative industries via the King County Creative facebook page and website. 

LEARN MORE 

Washington State 

Washington Filmworks – Washington’s Film Industry and the Coronavirus 

This contains contact information and additional resources for filmmakers to help navigate the outbreak of COVID-19 in our region. This document will be updated regularly with information that is specific to the film industry, so please check back often.  

LEARN MORE

Washington Small Business Resiliency Toolkit 

The Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC) Business Resiliency Toolkit is to be used in conjunction with the Washington SBDC Small Business Resiliency Guide. 

• Business Resiliency Guide Final.pdf 
• Business Resiliency Plan(BRP).docx 
• Emergency Procedures.docx 

LEARN MORE 

Washington State – COVID-19 resource list for impacted businesses and workers 

The Governor’s Office has compiled this partial list of resources to support economic retention and recovery related to COVID-19 coronavirus. Topics:  

• Financial assistance 
• Export assistance 
• Employer and worker assistance 
• •Insurance assistance 

For latest information, resources, and guidance related to COVID-19, please visit the Washington State Department of Health website.  

RESOURCES 

Washington State Employment Security Department for workers and businesses affected by COVID-19 

Employment Security has programs designed to help individuals and employers during this unprecedented time.  If you are affected by COVID-19, Employment Security has programs that adopted a series of emergency rules to relieve the burden of temporary layoffs, isolation and quarantine for workers and businesses. This easy-to-read comparison guide lists some of the most common scenarios that may occur and benefits that may apply.  

LEARN MORE 

National  

SAG-AFTRA –  “Safe Set” Protocols 

SAG-AFTRA is encouraging ALL productions to either suspend shooting completely or extend their breaks if they are already on-hiatus, and are offering these safe set protocols for all productions. 

LEARN MORE 

U.S. Small Business Administration – Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus 

“The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.” 

LEARN MORE  

Private Sector  

Sound Royalties Fund 

US-based finance firm Sound Royalties, LLC has announced a new $20m fund from which music creators impacted by Coronavirus can obtain no-fee royalty advances. Musicians will be able to obtain advances from the $20m pot over the next 30 days, through April 16, or until the money is depleted. Sound Royalties says that songwriters, performing artists, producers and others with royalty income can apply for zero-interest cash advances on a one-year repayment schedule with “no fees or costs of any kind”  
LEARN MORE 

Facebook Small Business Relief Grants 

Facebook just announced they’re giving out $100M in small business relief grants to 30 cities worldwide.  Although the application process hasn’t opened up yet, you can sign up to receive email updates. More info here:  

LEARN MORE 

Additional resources 

The List: COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources

GoFundMe: COVID-19 Mutual Aid Fund for LGBTQ+BIPOC Folks

GoFundMe: Seattle Artist Relief Fund Amid COVID-19

Amazon: Neighborhood Small Business Relief Fund

Seattle rings in the new year with 19 wet-weather productions filming 37 shoot days!  Commercial productions are leading the work with over a third of our permits issued, followed by TV/Reality productions and Corporate/Industrial productions. Here’s a peek at the numbers:

Film Production in Seattle Impacts Look Ahead

The Third Chapter of the Seattle Squeeze

The third chapter of the Seattle Squeeze will last through 2024. Seattle’s downtown will continue to be in a state of transition to meet the needs of our growing city, and along with that comes some impacts to keep in mind!

Need Help with a Location?  Hire a Local Locations Professional!

Keeping your schedule is critical to the success of your production.  Navigating multi-location shoots requires intent and expertise.  When scouting and shooting, we always recommend hiring one of the region’s location professionals.  They are the experts and can help you navigate the landscape and permitting processes in Seattle and the region:

• NWScouts.com:  Seattle region location scouts and managers
• Reel Crew:  Washington Filmworks crew database
• NWFilm.com:  Northwest Production Index

As always, please contact the Office of Film + Music any time if you have questions or input.

Seattle Office of Film + Music
seattle.gov/filmandmusic
700 5th Ave, Suite 5752 | PO Box 94708
Seattle, WA 98124-4708
filmoffice@seattle.gov

You are receiving this email because you were included on previous group invitations or communication from the Office of Film + Music.  If you wish to be removed from future communication, please email filmoffice@seattle.gov. To stay up to date on local film industry news, sign up for our weekly newsletter here.

Nearly 100 people attended the Mixer on Dec 4, to celebrate industry professionals and community stakeholders who took part in the conversations about the local creative ecosystem this year.

Sharon Nyree Williams, Executive Director of CD Forum, welcomed guests to the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute and shared a summary of key themes from this past year’s industry roundtables, identifying opportunities for city government to best support Seattle’s artists and creatives.

The community engagement conducted over the summer builds on research that the City supported in the last couple of years; looking at both statistical data and individuals’ stories to better understand Seattle’s creative economy and creative ecosystem. The main question posed during this process was: how can the City grow, support, and retain creatives while reducing disparities and inequities within the creative economy?

The research over the summer prioritized creatives of color for participation in focus groups. They represented various creative occupations, gigs, and other artistic endeavors. Over 150 individuals participated in 15 prioritized focus groups. In addition to focus groups, several OFM Mixers were hosted over the summer, as well as conversations with film community members, special events and festival producers, and arts journalism and media stakeholders. In total, 850 people provided feedback and input.

A series of themes emerged from these conversations. The most mentioned themes were:

• Lack of Opportunity, Resources, and Mentorship
• Structural Barriers
• Affordability and Wages
• A Desire to Deepen Collaboration with the Tech Sector
• The Need to Celebrate Arts & Cultural Media
• Strengthen Career Pathways

The themes provided a roadmap to 9 Proposed Actionable and Solution-Oriented Goals.

1. Improve Quality of Life for Artists and Creatives: Creatives felt that the City must take the lead in creating a culture of reverence and respect for the vast creative community.
2. Engage Harder to Reach Populations: Community engagement and mixer events reached over 850 individuals. This was a multi-ethnic, multi-generational and multi-arts genre group of creatives who want to use their skills and experiences to inform the work of our city government.
3. Enhancing Existing Initiatives and Create New Initiatives: Further explore the recommended actions for incorporation into existing, expanded, or new opportunities. Use specific opportunities and existing models for increased support to existing assets.
4. Access to Artistic and Creative Work Space: Actively develop and implement innovative approaches to improve housing affordability, venues, and workspaces for creatives.
5. Bridge Artists, Technology and Creativity: To develop and execute comprehensive and sustainable activities that retain and promote a creative economy within the city, there must be a good understanding of the diversity among artists and their relationship with technology and creativity.
6. Strategically Align the Work of the Commissions: The Seattle Arts Commission and Seattle Music Commission and their members are key stakeholders in the upcoming work of the creative economy in the city. Although they are independent bodies working with the City, they should be activated to further develop policy actions together to benefit the entire creative ecosystem of Seattle.
7. Build More Strategic Collaborations Across City Departments: As the Office of Arts & Culture, Office of Film + Music, Office of Economic Development, Seattle Arts Commission and Seattle Music Commission continue to develop their collaborative and inclusive creative economy strategy, all of the independent bodies of work should be used to further develop final policy actions. Prioritize strategies to address the most frequently mentioned themes.
8. Stimulate Innovative Thinking: Following the research conducted by a group of University of Washington Evans School grad students, build upon the strength of grounding any action plan in relevant criteria that bolsters the analysis and stimulates innovative thinking.
9. Integrate Existing Research and Data into Decision-making: The sum of all relevant studies that happened this year should be interlaced with the findings outlined in the “road map” report (to be published in late Jan 2020) to create an overall strategy.

The program featured conversations with four artists who took part in the creative economy focus groups this year: Earnest Thomas, Zoser, Isabella L. Price and Nia-Amina Minor.

“I believe what [the ONYX Fine Arts Collective] are doing, is something really important in the community, by giving artists an outlet to show their artwork.” Earnest Thomas, president of ONYX, a collaborative of artists and supporters committed to celebrating and promoting the visual artwork of artists of African descent.

On activities that would benefit youth in the creative economy: “First, it’s great that we have a lot of people here,” notes Zoser, a young singer/songwriter who blends pop, folk, and hip hop. “But it would be good to have a lot more young faces to learn about the industry. Second, Seattle needs to help young people get on big stages because that will help them push forward with going for their dream.”

Regarding collaboration with tech companies: “Trying to work together with people in the tech industry, there is so much emphasis on data, the math and sciences,” said Isabella L. Price, filmmaker, writer, podcaster, host, performer, and youtuber.  “And there is a weird separation between art and sciences, where there really doesn’t need to be… I think we really need to have more of those spaces that don’t really focus on art or tech, but both so that we can connect.”

On challenges of affordability and gig work in Seattle: “I am really kind of lucky, I have two positions with Spectrum [Dance Theater]; I am an artist and I dance with them full time, and I am their Community Engagement Artist Liaison. But that’s not always the case for a lot of artists,” said Nia-Amina Minor, movement artist and educator. “I dance, I teach, I accept a lot work, it becomes a lot of accepting work and your capacity to work is full. The theme that ‘you’re not making enough’ does have an effect. There’s a lot of exhaustion, there’s a lot of physical and mental toll… It becomes a thing, where the artist has to sacrifice to make this great work and you start to question that. What is a solution for that or will artists have to burn out?”

Thank you to all our featured artists, moderators, and everyone who was able to attend our December edition of the Mixer!

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Stay Involved!

Everyone is invited to continue your involvement in this process to build an inclusive local creative economy.

Resources, presentations, and reports on the Creative Economy/Industries can be found here.

Save the date for the next Mixer on Wednesday, Jan 29, from 5-7 pm at Seapine Brewing Company Taproom (youth and pet friendly!) in SODO.

Happy New Year! It’s that time for a bit of reflection on the work the filmmaking community accomplished in 2019. In compiling our data for the year, we noted 499 film permit applications processed in 2019, with Commercial projects making up over half of all permitted work. 2019 also saw an increase in local hires, as well as an increase in projects by Seattle-based companies. See below for the full run down, and the attached document that gets more into the nitty gritty of things, and comparisons to 2018. Feel free to reach out with any questions about our data!

Film Production in Seattle Impacts Look Ahead

The Third Chapter of the Seattle Squeeze

The third chapter of the Seattle Squeeze will last through 2024. Seattle’s downtown will continue to be in a state of transition to meet the needs of our growing city, and along with that comes some impacts to keep in mind!

Need Help with a Location?  Hire a Local Locations Professional!

Keeping your schedule is critical to the success of your production.  Navigating multi-location shoots requires intent and expertise.  When scouting and shooting, we always recommend hiring one of the region’s location professionals.  They are the experts and can help you navigate the landscape and permitting processes in Seattle and the region:

• NWScouts.com:  Seattle region location scouts and managers
• Reel Crew:  Washington Filmworks crew database
• NWFilm.com:  Northwest Production Index

As always, please contact the Office of Film + Music any time if you have questions or input.

Seattle Office of Film + Music
http://www.seattle.gov/filmandmusic
700 5th Ave, Suite 5752 | PO Box 94708
Seattle, WA 98124-4708
filmoffice@seattle.gov

On Friday, November 22^nd, the City of Seattle’s Office of Film + Music (OFM) hosted a Film and Music Industry Public Meeting and Update. Over 100 industry professionals and stakeholders gathered at the Centilia Cultural Center in El Centro de la Raza to discuss concerns and answer questions about proposed changes to OFM.

Answering your questions:  What has happened, what is happening, and why

The Film and Music Industry Public Meeting and Update intended to provide clarity and answer questions to OFM’s future as the City is prioritizing creatives and creative industries through an inclusive creative economy program.

Prior to the development of the development of the inclusive creative economy program, OFM, the Office of Economic Development (OED), and the Office of Arts and Culture (ARTS) consulted the Seattle Art and Music Commissions, met with over 80 special events industry stakeholders, and met with over 70 film stakeholders representing unions, crews, producers, companies, educators, non-profits, and location managers, which resulted in rigorous reports on priorities and recommendations for the City’s support of the industry. The summary of film recommendations draft was reviewed by film stakeholders. including union representatives, before it was finalized and delivered to the City. These recommendations have and will continue to inform OFM vision and decisions for the future. 

Following this industry and stakeholder outreach, some film and music industry professionals expressed concerns about the proposals for OFM’s future. Most particularly, the City heard concerns that OFM would be dissolved and replaced by the Inclusive Creative Industries Program, or that it would be absorbed into ARTS, or that the transition would eliminate OFM’s prioritization of economic development in its work.

Is the Office of Film + Music Going Away?

No.  OFM has always been part of OED, and will continue be part of OED. OFM will continue programs and initiatives supporting the growth of the film, music, nightlife, and special events industries. Under the Mayor’s charge, OFM will lead the OED’s new Inclusive Creative Industries Program.

The OFM Director role will be redefined as the Creative Industry Director, to call out the work the position has and will continue to oversee. This position will undergo a nationwide search and hiring process in collaboration with film and music labor and industry professionals involvement.

Staff capacity will increase. The Film + Special Events Manager, who oversees policy and permit coordination for both film and special events, will become two dedicated roles: Film Manager and Special Events Manager. A Creative Industries Policy Advisor will also be created to support the initiative and policy work supporting the film, music, events, and nightlife industries. Also, a dedicated Film Permitting support staff will be added during the peak filming season. OED communications staff will now be dedicated to support OFM, and 10% of the entire OED staff will support film and music by launching new efforts that will include OED’s Key Industries, Small Business, Business Districts, and Workforce teams.     

Thank you for your input and collaboration

Thank you everyone in the film, music, events, and nightlife industries.  Thank you everyone who were able to take the time to attend the November 22 meeting, participate in this summer’s roundtables and conversations, and to communicate with OFM as individuals or groups.  OFM’s work must support and be guided by you and your industry.  We will continue to work, and continue our work, with you collaboratively.  The next months will provide many exciting opportunities for direct and public collaboration.  We are looking forward to working with and for you as we explore all of these new opportunities.

Next Steps and How to Get Involved

OFM wants your input.  For those who are interested in shaping OFM and the Inclusive Creative Industry Program, there are some exciting opportunities to get involved:

• The Mixer, a free, all-ages, open to the public meet-up for leaders in the film, music, and interactive industries to share, learn, and make meaningful business connections.=
• Film Industry: Join the Film Task Force to help shape OFM’s work to support and grow Seattle’s film industry. A public application process to join the Film Task Force will be announced soon, and the Film Task Force is slated to start in January 2020.
• Stay in touch with OFM on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or shoot us an email at filmandmusicoffice@seattle.gov and we’ll give you updates in 2020 and beyond.

More Additional Information and Resources

Resources

Seattle Office of Film and Music – Creative Industries

2019 Office of Film + Music and Inclusive Creative Industry Program FAQ

Presentations

9/25/19 The Mixer Presentation: Film Industry Findings and Office of Film + Music Next Steps

11/22/10 Presentation: Office of Film + Music Public Meeting

Research

2019 Film Industry Roundtables: Summary of Findings and Recommendations

2019 Creative Economy Report

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