Newsletter - April 2010
Washington Filmworks Announces
Washington Filmworks approved funding assistance for a commercial from Digital Kitchen. This project marks a total of 41 projects approved through the Washington Filmworks program since launching in 2007.
Executive Director travels to LA
Due to the challenging economic climate Washington Filmworks decided to gracefully bow out of this year's AFCI Locations Trade Show held annually at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Executive Director Amy Lillard Dee opted for a lower cost option - a strategic and targeted sales trip to LA. Her 2 1/2-day trip was jam packed with 14 meetings targeting movie makers interested in bringing productions to the state. She spent time pushing the states lucrative 30% cash back incentive and abundant location options and co-hosted a filmmaker dinner with Warren Etheredge at Santa Monica's famous Chez Jay.
Scouting Washington
Executive Director Amy Lillard Dee and Production Services Manager Lindsey Johnson hosted two location scouts in April. They met with producers and directors of two features films interested in shooting in Washington State this summer. Locations visited included North Bend, Snoqualmie, Everett, and various locations around Seattle.
Mark your Calendars
Pulling Focus: A Clear Picture of Today's Film Industry
DIGITAL UPRISING
The digital revolution may not be televised. While many boast about the democratizing impact of new, inexpensive technology, has it created false hope instead? Movie-makers may now be able to shoot for next to nothing, but how can the truly independent distribute and market their work? Does digital enable greater creativity or engender a greater dependence on established institutions? How can the film community avoid the pitfalls of analog paradigms and best profit from the latest advancements?
Join us for the second in our series of events about the business of film featuring digital media pioneers Michael Arrieta (Big Air Studios) & Hanson Hosein (Director of the Master of Communication in Digital Media at the University of Washington) on:
Tuesday May, 4
Sorrento Hotel
Top of the Town Room
(Madison and Terry)
6:30 Doors
7:00pm Discussion
Tickets at Brown Paper Tickets or at the door day of event (CASH ONLY)
Following the discussion guests are invited to continue the conversation at a cocktail reception in the Sorrento Hotel Penthouse with wine sponsored by the Washington Wine Commission. For more information please visit Washington Filmworks NEWS + EVENTS.
Make sure to save the date for the last event in the series:
Tuesday, May 11
Washington Filmworks Event Recap
Pulling Focus: A Clear Picture of Today's Film Industry
Washington Filmworks hosted the inaugural event with veteran producer Jay Stern on April 6 at the Top of the Town Room at the Sorrento Hotel. Moderated by the charismatic Warren Etheredge of The Warren Report and with approximately 100 guests in attendance, the event proved to be a huge success. Guest Jay Stern shared stories about his 20 + plus years in the film industry working on commercial hits such as "Rush Hour 1, 2, & 3" and emphasizing his producing experiences and focusing on the business side of things.
Guests were invited to continue the conversation at a wine reception in the Sorrento's Penthouse with wine provided by the Washington Wine Commission. Winemakers Jay Soloff from DeLille Cellars and wine representative from The Magnificent Wine Company, Elizabeth Tveit offered tantalizing libations from some of Washington's top winemakers. Washington Filmworks would like to thank IFP/Seattle, Northwest Film Forum, Northwest Screenwriters Guild, Seattle Office of Film + Music, Seattle Film Institute, Seattle International Film Festival, Women in Film/Seattle, and Warren Etheredge, as well as, hospitality sponsors the Washington Wine Commission and Sorrento Hotel.
"Pulling Focus" is a series of three panels about the business of film designed to speak to a diversity of audience members, from screenwriters to actors, from directors to producers and on to musicians. The goal is to elevate the conversation and design a dialogue that will have a little something for everyone and simultaneously help give our community a rock solid education about how business is done in the film industry.
SIP + SCREEN
Washington Filmworks partnered with W Seattle in hosting SIP + SCREEN with acclaimed Hollywood Director, Editor, Composer John Ottman on Wednesday April 7th. Guests were treated to an evening of lively conversation and clips from some of John's best in editing and composing that included Superman Returns and The Usual Suspects.
Washington Filmworks Staying Connected
Washington Filmworks met with Seattle Area Filmmakers (SAF) founder Gina Lockhart in the 2nd meeting in our "Coffee Talk" series. SAF is a network of local independent filmmakers who among various other things host bi-monthly meetings to discuss opportunities for collaboration. For more information about SAF visit: http://www.seattleareafilmmakers.webs.com/
"Coffee Talk" is a series of casual conversations held every-other-Friday with leaders from the film and business communities to discuss trends, events and politics happening around the state. These discussions provide an opportunity to talk about potential areas of collaboration as well as Washington Filmworks' mission and goals.
Washington Filmworks Welcomes Intern Jessie Wilson
Washington Filmworks is pleased to announce that Jessie Wilson has joined the organization as our newest intern.
Having called many other parts of the United States home, this is the first time Jessie has lived in the Pacific Northwest. A filmmaker and visual artist, Jessie spent the first part of her career working for nonprofit and arts and culture organizations. She later returned to school to complete a MFA in Arts Leadership at Seattle University. When not at Seattle University, Jessie can be found at City Hall, working for Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata.
Welcome Jessie!
Film, Music, Digital Media Happy Hour Tomorrow
You are invited to the Film, Music and Digital Media Happy Hour sponsored by the Seattle Office of Film + Music, Washington Filmworks, the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Recording Academy, and Washington Interactive Network.
Happy Hours are hosted at Spitfire, located at 2219 4th Ave in Belltown (Between Blanchard and Bell).
Seattle has been a growing hub for film, music and digital media over the past several years, and it is vital for these three communities to interact for our city to continue to thrive. This Happy Hour offers just such an environment for people from these industries to socialize, network, and build a unified community.
The Happy Hour events are held the last Wednesday of every month from 5 to 7pm. Attendance at this event is limited to industry representatives and not open to the general public. You must be 21 + to attend. We hope to see you there!
Washington Filmworks Answers
Washington Filmworks strives to bring the filmmaking community the most comprehensive and up-to-date information about locations and production resources throughout the state. In our ongoing effort to help educate and empower the local community, we've created this frequently asked question section to help make you a more informed filmmaker. Enjoy the information and if you have a specific question you would like answered feel free to send us an email at: info@washingtonfilmworks.org.
Q: How do I know who I need to get a film permit from?
A: Washington State does not have an over-riding all encompassing film permit. Permits are based on specific jurisdictions (city, county, state park, national forest, etc.). As a result you may need multiple permits for each shoot depending on the jurisdiction.
For example, if you are filming in a private building or business you will need permission from them, but then you may also need permission from the city you are in if you are parking vehicles or blocking traffic. WF is always available to go over your location list and help you determine what jurisdiction you are filming in, and who you need to contact to get permits. You can also see permit contacts for commonly used areas on our website at: http://www.washingtonfilmworks.org/index.php/Resources/
Around the State
Recap: Langston Hughes African American Film Festival
NFFTY Opening Night
Gig Harbor graduate finds niche in an animated world/ The News Tribune
Pacific Lutheran University's MediaLab set to premiere new documentary/ Tacoma Weekly
Open Screenings at Seattle Film Institute brought to you by 911 Media 2nd Sunday of every month
Check out SIFF's 2010 Trailer on the website
Spring Classes Starting at Seattle Film Institute
NWSG hosts Patric Verrone & Maiya Williams May 15
Northwest Film Forum Annual Gala May 6
State Awards Pickford Film Center $250,000 for Project
National Industry News
A Rebuilding Phase for Independent Film/NY Times
AMC Announcens "AMC INDEPENDENT"/ Filmmaker Magazine
Want To Build An Audience? Start Making Apps/Filmmaker Magazine
Can Scriptapalooza Launch Your Career?/ MovieMaker Magazine