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Due to the ever-evolving nature of the COVID-19 crisis, this blog post is now outdated and obsolete.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.
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:
- Deferral of B&O Taxes, effective immediately
- Expansion of Small Business Stabilization Fund
- Assistance to Access SBA Loans, once it becomes available
- Relief for Utility Payments
- New Small Business Recovery Task Force
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 18th 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.
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.
King County Creative
Leading County-wide information on resources for the creative industries via the King County Creative facebook page and website.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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:
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
