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Seattle Film + Music Blog

What we heard at The Mixer: Creativity & Technology

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Over the past two years the Office of Economic Development and Office of Arts & Culture have been gathering data to better understand Seattle’s creative ecosystem. Check out these two recent reports:

Four topic areas have consistently emerged and point to the need for more investigation: affordability, youth opportunity, supporting creative workers, and creativity and technology. On May 29 at KEXP we kicked off a series of monthly Mixers in which we invite the community to help the City shape a vision for our creative economy that centers racial equity, affordability, and economic opportunity.

In our first of the series, we highlighted the important relationship between technology and creativity. About 100 people attended, ranging from leaders in the creative sectors including filmmakers, journalists, music producers, visual artists, and marketing professionals, to those beginning their careers, including college students studying video game design and special effects.

The program of the night featured Northwest Film Forum Executive Director Vivian Hua, who moderated a panel with writer, director, and community organizer Netsie Tjirongo and fearless360º Executive Director Sandy Cioffi on the challenges and opportunities for Seattle creatives in engaging with technology. (Learn more about the speakers here.)

Photo of May 29 Mixer panel: Vivian Hua, Sandy Cioffi, Netsie Tjirongo
L to R: Vivian Hua, Sandy Cioffi, Netsie Tjirongo

Tjirongo and Cioffi, who both have used virtual reality (VR) and 360º video for immersive storytelling, explained that technology has the power to build deeper human connection, empathy, and creativity. In her recent work with youth in the Learning Immersive Technology (LIT) program, Tjirongo saw young people gain a sense of empowerment through their own risk-taking – both in overcoming their lack of familiarity with technology, and in practicing character development and other aspects of storytelling.

While financial investments in VR are heavily focused on gaming, military, and medical applications of the technology, exciting and important VR work is happening in arts, culture, and social justice as well – thanks to decades-long organizing efforts, often led by women.

Cioffi challenged the room to consider how to “use creative tech tools involved in decentralizing power and resources”, as technology can often be used to extract value from communities and perpetuate inequity.

Tjirongo added that to increase equity, we need to make concerted efforts to “support the communities with the least amount of representation in the room” as this technology and related economic opportunity develop.

Following the panel discussion, attendees broke into groups to provide deeper feedback on the ways that technology and creativity intersect in their work. Out of these discussions came a number of suggestions including:  how the City could better address challenges in entering the creative workforce; increasing the work spaces where creatives can gather and collaborate; and access to resources for starting businesses, hiring creatives, finding funding, and showcasing creative work. Below are more specifics on what we heard.

Creative Space:

  • Physical spaces are important to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community building. As one attendee said, collaboration is key in this gig economy, and having people together in a space facilitates that collaboration.
  • These spaces could be subscription-based or could rely on donations.
  • Additionally, it would be ideal if new real estate developments were 100% inclusive for community, and arts space was built in tandem with any new development.

Resources for Creatives & Businesses:

  • Support students and their entry into careers.
  • Support from the City to help facilitate partnerships or mentorship among professionals and organizations.
  • Help prepare job applicants – familiarize them with jargon, refine resumes.
  • Help break down barriers for those who are starting small businesses (e.g. tax info and support), especially those that are run by artists.
  • Support matchmaking of businesses and talent, possibly through a centralized job board for creative jobs and internships.
  • Help guide individuals to resources, coaches, and mentors.
  • Increase access to technology in schools and in communities.

Additional Themes:

As always, conversations like these generate new lines of inquiry. Among these questions are: How might we build alliances across tech and art? How can we work to elevate the value of creativity and the arts in the context of automation, artificial intelligence, and other technologies that will change how we work and interact? What is the role of the private sector, and of philanthropy? How can we create opportunities for cross-sector discussion to build understanding and solutions?

These conversations are more important now than ever: the 2019 Creative Economy Report found that Seattle creative workers employed in tech (web developers, for example) are the highest paid in the nation, while creative workers employed in arts and entertainment occupations (such as photographers and musicians) are the lowest paid in the nation. The report also found that women and people of color are underrepresented in certain creative occupations, and that wage disparities exist along job title, race, and gender. We need to hear from you, Seattle’s creative community, to help us better understand the full story behind these disparities and find ways to bridge the gap.

Join us next week on June 26 at Clock-Out Lounge on Beacon Hill for the second Mixer in this series, “Surviving and Thriving in the Creative Gig Economy” with a panel moderated by Washington Filmworks’ Amy Lillard. We’ll have complimentary pizza and soft drinks, and guests 21+ may purchase drinks from the bar. The Mixer is a free event, and all ages are welcome. RSVP here. Spots are filling up fast.

Please mark your calendars for the following two Mixers on July 31 and August 28.

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The Mixer: Surviving & Thriving in the Creative Gig Economy

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Join us at Clock-Out Lounge on 6/26 for our second in a series of community discussions to help shape the City’s vision for the future of our creative economy.

Seattle’s creative workers earned over $6 billion dollars in 2017, and creative jobs in Seattle are growing at a faster rate than in the rest of the country*. On a national level, the “gig economy” is on the rise—allowing flexibility and freedom for creative types, but with less of a safety net. At this month’s Mixer, Amy Lillard of Washington Filmworks will lead a discussion with panelists from different creative fields who will share their secrets of success about freelancing, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to make it professionally in Seattle’s growing creative economy.

Afterwards, attendees will break out into small groups for more networking and to give feedback about how the city can help creatives find the resources they need to not only survive, but thrive in our rapidly growing city.

This event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome. Refreshments will be provided, and alcohol is available for purchase for guests 21+.

For ADA accommodations or accessibility information, contact filmandmusicoffice@seattle.gov.

Please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mixer-june-surviving-thriving-in-the-creative-gig-economy-tickets-63028843969

All members of Seattle’s creative community are welcome at this conversation: visual artists, musicians, music and film industry professionals, teaching artists – whatever role you play in our local creative scene, we want to hear from you!

About the Moderator:

Amy Lillard – Amy Lillard is the Executive Director of Washington Filmworks and has been with the program since it launched in 2007. Under her leadership, WF has helped over 90 film projects complete principal photography, which have brought an estimated $242 million to the statewide economy. Amy Lillard started her career as an independent film publicist out of New York and Los Angeles, designing the release campaigns for groundbreaking films such at “The Blair Witch Project,” “American Psycho” and “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.” Amy retired from publicity in 2000 and took a trip around the world. Two years and 42 countries later, she settled in Seattle where she has worked in various capacities including, director of publicity and promotion at SIFF, festival director of the Reel Cinerama Film Festival, and producer of the Fly Filmmaking Challenge.

*This data and more is available in the 2019 Creative Economy Report. Of note, the report found that Seattle creative workers employed in tech (web developers, for example) are the highest paid in the nation, while creative workers employed in arts and entertainment occupations (such as photographers and musicians) are the lowest paid in the nation. The report also found that women and people of color are underrepresented in certain creative occupations, and that wage disparities exist along job title, race, and gender. We need to hear from you, Seattle’s creative workers, to help us better understand the full story behind these disparities and find ways to bridge the gap.

Please mark your calendars for the two remaining Mixers in this creative economy series: July 31 and August 28.

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Film Industry Update: May 2019

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Seattle Film Industry and Community:

Has anyone noticed Golden Hour™ is getting longer and wrap times are getting later each day? That’s because we’re nearly through May and it’s almost summer! Let’s take a look what productions were up to in April!

[Read more…]
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Meet the Music Commission: Sue Ennis

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Sue Ennis

Seattle Music Commissioner Sue Ennis is Seattle-based songwriter who has co-written more than 70 songs for the Seattle band Heart (30 million records sold and 2013 inductees in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame). She has co-written songs for feature films including The Golden Child starring Eddie Murphy and Thomas and The Magic Railroad. Her hobby band, The Lovemongers, also appeared on the soundtrack of Singles. Sue teaches Music Business, Career Development and Songwriting at Shoreline Community College and Songwriting for Film for the Seattle Film Institute. She also serves as the Pacific Northwest Grammy Board’s national Trustee on the board of the Recording Academy.

We spoke with Sue about her career in Seattle’s music industry, how she approaches her work, and what advice she has for songwriters and musicians.

[Read more…]
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Mayor Jenny Durkan Announces 2019 Mayor’s Award for Achievement in Film

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Mayor Jenny Durkan announced Nesib “CB” Shamah as the recipient of the 14th Annual Mayor’s Award for Achievement in Film.

“I am proud to present the 2019 Mayor’s Award for Achievement in Film to CB,” said Mayor Durkan. “His work is a testament to the outstanding talent and ingenuity of Seattle’s creative community, and I applaud all he does to create opportunity for his fellow local filmmakers. CB both represents and has helped shepherd Seattle’s film industry and is incredibly deserving of this recognition.”

“It is truly an honor to be recognized with the Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film for doing something I love. I am humbled to have my name added to this list of award winners that have been and continue to be a source of inspiration for my work,” said Shamah. “The City of Seattle continues to support and foster Seattle film, and this award is proof of that.”

The Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film recognizes an individual or entity for exceptional work that has significantly contributed to the growth, advancement and reputation of Seattle as a filmmaking city. The award will be presented by Mayor Durkan at the Seattle International Film Festival Opening Night Gala on May 16.

Nesib “CB” Shamah is an Emmy-nominated producer and director best known for the music documentary, Welcome to Doe Bay, SJ Chiro’s Lane 1974 and the science fiction short film Haskell. He attended the Seattle Film Institute before producing and directing over 25 live music shoots and the music web series Destination Unknown. Shamah also led the renovation of the historic Columbia City Theater music venue.

Shamah has contributed to the Seattle film and music landscape for years, from his work on community advisory boards to financing and executive producing many local film projects. As a current board member of both the Satterberg Foundation and the Northwest Film Forum, Shamah advances social justice by telling unique stories in his own films and providing support for other artists to bring their visions to life on big and small screens.

The Mayor’s Award for Achievement in Film will be presented to Shamah at the SIFF Opening Night Gala, where local filmmaker Lynn Shelton’s newest film, Sword of Trust, will kick off the festival.

To learn more about the award and previous winners, visit seattle.gov/filmandmusic/film/mayors-film-award.

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Meet the Music Commission: Tony Kiewel

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Tony Kiewel headshotSeattle Music Commissioner Tony Kiewel is currently Co-President of Seattle-based Sub Pop Records, where he has worked ever since moving to the city in 2000. Tony began his career at Sub Pop as the Commercial Radio Director but shifted to the A&R (artists and repertoire) department soon after his arrival. While overseeing A&R, he was responsible for bringing dozens of artists to the label, including The Postal Service, Sleater-Kinney, Father John Misty, Flight of the Conchords and David Cross.

Tony has been serving on the Seattle Music Commission since September 2016. We spoke with him about his career, challenges facing the local music industry and how the Commission is rising to meet those challenges.  [Read more…]

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2018 Look Back on Film & Special Events

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2018 in Seattle Film

The Office of Film + Music coordinates permissions for film productions to operate on public City of Seattle property by issuing Master Film Permits. A strong Seattle film industry is at the center of the local creative economy.

Scroll through our Instagram snapshot of the numbers from 2018:

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2018 was an amazing year for #filminseattle! Filmmakers, let’s take a look back at what you achieved: . . . 🎞 537 permits issued – a 10% jump over the last 2 years! 👩🏽‍💼5,610 local cast + crew hired 💰56% of all permits were Commercial Productions – year after year, commercial work takes up the bulk of productions in Seattle 🎥 21% of all permits were for Feature Film or Episodic Content, including “Language Arts,” a feature film which was filmed completely in Western Washington over the course of 30 days in the Summer of 2018 🎬 The remaining 23% were for other content including student films, web series, music videos, PSAs, VR/AR projects, and more 🏬 312 out of the 537 permits issued in 2018 were to production companies that defined themselves as a small business 🏞 95 of Seattle’s 485 beautiful public parks were used for filming in 2018 – and parks were used 520 times across all permits ☀️ The top 5 most frequently filmed parks were Gas Works Park, Kerry Park, Volunteer Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park 🏙 42% of all permits were from production companies within Seattle 🏔 19% of permits were from production companies within the rest of Washington State ✈️ The other 37% of permits were from national and international production companies – largely Los Angeles and New York – but also England, Singapore, and Australia . . A strong Seattle film industry is at the center of the local creative economy. Cheers to the great work in 2018, we can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2019! #wecanpermitthisforyou #seattlefilm #filminwashington

A post shared by Seattle Office of Film + Music (@seattlefilmandmusic) on

2018 in Special Events

The Special Events Office operates within the Office of Film + Music, coordinating Special Event Permits for large or impactful public or private events (e.g., Seafair, Rock’n’Roll Marathon, Capitol Hill Block Party) and constitutionally protected free speech marches and rallies (e.g., Womxn’s March).

Here’s a snapshot of the numbers from 2018:

In 2018, 521 Special Event Permits were coordinated This included 426 Special Event Permits, 82 valet permits, and 13 charter vessel permits Total attendance at special events in 2018 was estimated at 2.3 million by event organizers The most popular neighborhoods for special events were Downtown, Queen Anne, Pioneer Square, South Lake Union and Capitol Hill 50% of events were free and open to the public 55% of events occur during the summer months - June through September There were 62 free speech events in 2018 19 events used public waterways 1,662 street segments were used for events There were 64 run/walk/cycling events throughout the year

  • In 2018, 521 Special Event Permits were coordinated
  • This included 426 Special Event Permits, 82 valet permits, and 13 charter vessel permits
  • Total attendance at special events in 2018 was estimated at 2.3 million by event organizers
  • The most popular neighborhoods for special events were Downtown, Queen Anne, Pioneer Square, South Lake Union and Capitol Hill
  • 50% of events were free and open to the public
  • 55% of events occur during the summer months – June through September
  • There were 62 free speech events in 2018
  • 19 events used public waterways
  • 1,662 street segments were used for events
  • There were 64 run/walk/cycling events throughout the year

2018 was an amazing year for film and special events in Seattle. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2019!

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City hosts opioid harm reduction training for club owners and staff

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The Office of Film + Music, thanks in part to a partnership with Public Health – Seattle & King County, is supplying nightclubs with a lifesaving drug called Naloxone to use on people overdosing on opioids.

As part of the new program developed by Nightlife Business Advocate, Scott Plusquellec, club owners and staff will receive training on how to properly identify an overdose and administer the drug. The first training was on Monday night.

“Fortunately, opioid overdoses are rare in nightlife establishments,” Plusquellec said,” However we are aware of incidences where cocaine was laced with a deadly opioid fentanyl. We’re also hopeful the nightlife community can respond to incidences on the streets outside their venues should they see issues. We want to make sure everyone comes out, has a good time and gets home safely.”

“Naloxone saves lives by reversing opioid overdoses and can be effectively administered by anyone who receives training in how to use it. In 2018, we know of 2,235 overdoses that were reversed using naloxone in King County—and that number is likely even greater,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Partnerships like this one with nightclubs help us reach the social networks of those at risk for opioid overdose. If you know or are around people at risk for overdose, please carry naloxone and if you suspect a drug overdose, don’t be afraid to call 911 right way. The Good Samaritan Law serves to protect you.”

Cities throughout the United States are struggling with an ongoing opioid epidemic. In many cases, deaths can be prevented the use of Naloxone, a simple to use medication. Public health agencies are working hard to make life-saving drugs more readily available to the public.

“We need to do everything in our power to ensure that anyone who can save a life has the tools and knowledge to do so. I’m thankful Seattle’s nightlife community wants to be part of the solution,” Kate Becker, Director of the Office of Film + Music said.

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Self Care and Activism: Ways of Living and Surviving in the Music Industry with Sharlese Metcalf

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At this month’s Mixer, special guest Sharlese Metcalf shared her talk entitled “Self Care and Activism: Ways of Living and Surviving in the Music Industry.” Whether it’s through her roles as Education Coordinator and DJ at KEXP, as a member of the TUF collective, or her work as a Music Commissioner, Sharlese has been a leading advocate in Seattle’s music scene for years. If you couldn’t make it to the Mixer, you can watch the full talk here, and we have also included Sharlese’s written script below.

During her talk, Sharlese shared her 26 ways of self care while working in the music industry:

  1. Wake up and don’t look at your phone. Take a walk instead.
  2. Don’t answer emails right away, they can wait.
  3. Take walking meetings at work, if you can. Don’t sit in a room with walls.
  4. Pack your lunch with healthy yummy things and eat your lunch away from your computer. They can wait.
  5. Write fan mail. Write a short letter or text to someone that you love or that inspires you and tell them you appreciate their work.
  6. Compliment someone. I have found that when I tell someone something nice, the impact is that it makes me feel good and them.
  7. Journal thoughts of gratitude.
  8. Meditate and breathe.
  9. Exercise. Do yoga. I do and DJ yoga quite often. You should come!
  10. Listen to your favorite songs and dance alone. Like DoNormaal’s ‘Ego Slave.’
  11. Massage your creativity, like make a mix of your favorite songs.
  12. Eat with intention. Cook your favorite meal. Plan ahead to do so.
  13. Address positivity at your organization. It’s easy to frustrated at work by things that happen. Make sure to talk to your co-workers and find ways to be happy.
  14. Find the good work of others happening in the world, especially in Seattle community and send them to people. It can inspire and motivate positivity.
  15. Find ways to turn the upside down, right side up. Meaning if you found something that’s sad or bad, find a way to bring people together to amplify your voices.
  16. Keep educating yourself. Take a class!
  17. Learn to say no without explaining yourself.
  18. Acknowledge yourself and your strengths and consider your value.
  19. Know peace.
  20. Respect, be kind and forgive yourself. You’re great!
  21. Be intentional and always know where you’re trying to go.
  22. Use your intuition to navigate better. Always trust your heart.
  23. Support live music! Going to show can mean the world for an artists and that in return will make you feel good. To be more real, support the arts! There are so many great artists in the Northwest and if you need help finding cool things to do, Artist Trust has a great calendar of full of statewide events to support. You can also find out about grant applying workshops and more there as well.
  24. Clean your space to your favorite album. It can be a trip to experience actually how an artist creates an album from start to finish.
  25. Spend time with friends and family. These people are some of the most important people in your life and they provide epic support.  
  26. Look up. Everyone looks down, but have you ever tried looking up? A teacher in college recommended that to me and it changes your perspective and you might learn something!

You can find Sharlese Metcalf on Twitter, Soundcloud, and read more about her on our blog. Read below for Sharlese’s scripted speech.  [Read more…]

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Inaugural Seattle Film Career Day connects young people with industry leaders and expertise

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Film + Music Office Director Kate Becker speaking on stage introducing the four Sound + Vision panelists

Film + Music Office Director Kate Becker introducing the Sound and Vision panelists.

Last week, the City of Seattle Office of Film + Music, in partnership with the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) and One Reel, produced the first Film Career Day. Hundreds of students, educators, and young adults gathered at McCaw Hall and the Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center for the day-long event featuring expert panels and networking opportunities with industry professionals.

“We are delighted to offer Film Career Day as a new opportunity for young and prospective filmmakers in the region,” said Kate Becker, Director of the Seattle Office of Film + Music. “It’s more important than ever that we connect youth, especially young people of color and women, with all the exciting creative opportunities waiting for them in our local film industry.”

“As the first generation born and raised into a world dominated by digital video, these kids are cinema-savvy and ten steps ahead of their teenage forebears,” said Marty Griswold, Executive Director at One Reel. “These are kids who just want to get there. Many are already equipped with the explosive creativity and skills to do it. Our job during Film Career Day was to point them in the right direction – and step out of their way. Based on the feedback we’ve received since then, I think we were successful!”

A large room of people seated in circles, talking.

Speed networking at McCaw Hall.

“The inaugural Film Career Day opened the door to the film industry to hundreds of youth from the Seattle area. I was blown away by the dialogue that was created between the young aspiring filmmakers and the industry professionals we invited to speak on the panels,” said Kyle Seago, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NFFTY. “I heard from many industry people that they had never seen such excitement and curiosity about their jobs before. It’s exciting to know that an event like this can serve a major role in growing the film and media industry in Seattle and beyond. Two-way exchanges of information and resources are vital to keeping a creative economy alive.”

Film Career Day began with NFFTY’s speed networking session, giving attendees the chance to meet industry experts, share their stories, and build relationships. Keynote speakers Chris Caldwell, Zeek Earl, and Brice Budke, the writer/producer/director team from Seattle production company Shep Films, discussed how they got their production company off the ground and how they overcame obstacles along the way.

Keynote speakers Chris Caldwell, Zeek Earl, and Brice Budke seated on stage.

Keynote speakers Chris Caldwell, Zeek Earl, and Brice Budke.

Shep Film’s first feature, Prospect, filmed entirely in Washington, premiered this year at SXSW and will be in theaters this Friday, November 2. “It was an emotional grind,” said Earl, describing their long journey to get the green light to film Prospect. “We kept shooting commercials, making money, developing our skills, kept working on our script. It kept getting better and better and better, until we really had our plan down. And we got the green light.”

The rest of the day featured six different panel sessions. Panelists tackled tough questions facing local young people who are pursuing a career in film—for example: Is film school worth the money and time? What are the pros and cons of starting a film career here in Seattle, versus moving to cities like LA or New York? What kind of film work is available right now in Seattle, and how can you find it?

“It gave me a lot to think about,” said one young woman who attended the “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” panel on where to build a career. “I didn’t think so many jobs were on the corporate side. It sounds like that’s where jobs are, if you want to get started [in the film industry].”

Panels also gave attendees a chance to ask questions and hear from professionals who play various roles in the film industry, from producers and directors to composers and costume designers.  The “Sound and Vision” panel featured Mayor’s Film Award winner and costume designer Ron Leamon (Blue Velvet, Man in the High Castle) and film composer Mike McCready (Sadie, We Bought a Zoo); the “Should I Stay or Should I Go” panel featured Mayor’s Film Award winner Jennifer Roth (Black Swan, The Wrestler).

Drawing on Seattle’s reputation as a leader in Virtual and Augmented Reality technology, local experts including Xuny Haley, Operations Manager at CoMotion at the University of Washington, Kim Voynar of WonderTek Labs, and Amy Lillard, Executive Director of Washington Filmworks, held a panel on VR/AR filmmaking.

Big local and national names participated in the inaugural Film Career Day, including surprise guest Mike McCready at the “Sound & Vision” panel. While McCready is best known from Pearl Jam, he has also been composing music for film and television for years.

During lunch, attendees also had the chance to browse through a table fair hosted by local schools and organizations including Scarecrow Video and TeenTix, to learn about part time jobs and internship opportunities and chat with current and former film and animation students.

One Reel has collaborated with the City to host career days, including Music Career Day, for many years. The first Film Career Day presented a new opportunity to partner with NFFTY, who’s experience and expertise were invaluable to connecting with  the youth film community.

The Office of Film + Music looks forward to making Film Career Day even bigger and better next year! If you have ideas for things you’d like to see at 2019’s event, shoot us an email at filmandmusicoffice@seattle.gov.

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