The Film Task Force is a diverse group of film industry and community stakeholders that advise the Office of Film + Music (OFM) and the City of Seattle on ways to best support the local film industry and community. The Task Force has developed four key priority subcommittees that are focused on equity and inclusion, the film commission, film production in Seattle, and making Seattle a prime location for film production. COVID-19 has had extensive impacts on film in Seattle, including a complete shut-down of the film industry. As the City and industry develop policies to support reopening of fllm production and recovery in Seattle, this work will be done with a focus on equity, inclusivity, support and prioritization of BIPOC businesses and communities. .

Equity and Inclusivity Subcommittee

The Seattle film industry, like all industries in the United States of America, is entrenched in institutional racism. It hashas been historically inequitable to people of color, women, queer, transgender, nonbinary, people with disabilities, and people from economically disadvantaged areas. The Film Task Force Equity and Inclusivity subcommittee leads and advises the City on policies, initiatives, and procedures that address equity and inclusivity, and integration for communities and people who are often excluded, into Seattle’s film industry. The Equity and Inclusivity subcommittee works to ensure that OFM embeds the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative in all functions of the office, and leads its work through the lens of race and social justice, in support, prioritization, and advocacy for underserved communities.

Subcommittee members:

• Shellea Allen, Executive Director, SAG-AFTRA

• Ashley Ball, Senior Producer, C+C

• Virginia Bogert, Laughing Dog Pictures, LLC., President Emerita of Women in Film Seattle and curator of Post Alley Film Festival

• Sarah Crowe, Senior Producer, Amazon

• Abie Ekenezar, Seattle-based actress, singer, screen writer and producer

• Maria Gargiulo, Emmy award winning director-producer

• Vivian Hua, Executive Director, Northwest Film Forum

• Susan LaSalle, Senior Producer at Kully Struble, Unit Production Manager in the Directors Guild of America

• Lacey Leavitt, Co-founder/CEO of Electric Dream Factory

• Myron Partman, Owner, Chameleon Creative Services

• Anthony Tackett, CEO Tackett Films, producer at One Vibe Africa

• Cleven Ticeson, Senior Post Production Editor at KCTS

• Netsanet “Netsie” Tjirongo, writer, director, and community organizer

The Film Commission Subcommittee 

 An official film industry advisory commission has never existed in Seattle or Washington State. The Film Commission subcommittee has developed bylaws defining the structure and purpose of a proposed future commission. The Film Commission subcommittee recommends the commission’s mission be to assist and advise in perpetuity the City of Seattle, Seattle Office of Economic Development, and Office of Film + Music, on the economic development, sustainability, and the vital importance of Seattle’s film industry as part of the City’s prioritization of the creative economy, through the lens of equity and inclusivity.

Subcommittee members:

• Virginia Bogert, Laughing Dog Pictures, LLC., President Emerita of Women in Film Seattle and curator of Post Alley Film Festival

• Brice Budke, Seattle-based producer and partner at Shep Films

• Susan LaSalle, Senior Producer at Kully Struble, Unit Production Manager in the Directors Guild of America

• Melissa Purcell, Northern Business Agent at I.A.T.S.E. Local 488

Prioritization of Film Production in Seattle

The Office of Economic Development stated in 2019 that the film industry is at the center of the creative economy.  The Prioritization subcommittee is tasked with leading recommendations related to the City of Seattle’s film-related policies. This includes advocacy for film work , analysis of policies that prioritize film permitting and use of public property, and strategies for protecting and supporting film industry workers and businesses. The committee is spearheading the Film Task Force’s efforts to establish and maintain robust relationships with City officials, City departments and private organizations all engaged on the development of film policies. The subcommittee will continue its work to support the hiring of local production companies and workers to produce content, as well as elevating   the issues of payroll protection and job misclassification for gig, freelance workers and technicians in the film industry.

Subcommittee members:

• Dave Drummond, Seattle-based location manager

• Brice Budke, Seattle-based producer and partner at Shep Films

• Maggie Stenson, actor and Executive Producer, Showtunes Theatre

• Myron Partman, Owner, Chameleon Creative Services;

• Melissa Purcell, Northern Business Agent at I.A.T.S.E. Local 488

• Gregory Smith, Gaffer/Key Grip, Principal Partner-Elevation Grip & Lighting.

Market Seattle as a Filming Destination

While Seattle is a strong indie film and commercial production center, Seattle cannot rely on looks and strong crew alone. Seattle’s industry relies on strong marketing and branding as the place to bring film production. The Market Seattle subcommittee is charged with advising on the development of branding and marketing platforms that will effectively market Seattle as the filmmaking destination. By working with existing stakeholders and data, the Market Seattle subcommittee prioritizes two primary marketing objectives: Work across the industry to define how Seattle can be positioned as a great place to bring a project, and work with local agencies and stakeholders to build Seattleite’s support for the work the film industry brings to our neighborhoods and City.

Subcommittee members:

• Peter Barnes, CEO, Clatter&Din, Inc., Production&Post

• Beth Barrett, SIFF Artistic Director

• Virginia Bogert, Laughing Dog Pictures, LLC., President Emerita of Women in Film Seattle and curator of Post Alley Film Festival

• Dave Drummond, Seattle-based location manager

• Myron Partman, Owner, Chameleon Creative Services

• Gregory Smith, Gaffer/Key Grip, Principal Partner-Elevation Grip & Lighting

• Maggie Stenson, actor and Executive Producer, Showtunes Theatre