Newsletter                                                   May 2011  

WASHINGTON FILMWORKS ANNOUNCES


 Washington Filmworks approves funding assistance for a feature film. These projects mark a total of 63 projects approved through the Washington Filmworks program since inception in 2007.

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BILL TO RENEW WASHINGTON FILMWORKS DIES IN THE HOUSE

 

The bill to renew the Motion Picture Competitiveness program died last Wednesday night because it never made it to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote. While we were confident that there were sufficient votes to pass the legislation on the floor of the House, it was blocked when Speaker Frank Chopp linked the production incentive program to a House bill related to housing and homelessness that needed to be passed in the Senate.  Since the Senate did not have sufficient votes to pass the housing bill, 2SSB 5539 was never brought to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote.  And as previously reported, Ross Hunter's amendment taking the annual funding for this program from $3.5M annually to $1.75M per year, continued to be problematic for the livelihood of this program.

Washington Filmworks will continue to commit funds that are available for 2011.  In the coming weeks, the Board of Directors and staff of Washington Filmworks will consider what can be done to maintain the presence of film in Washington State and discuss strategies for the 2012 legislative session.  We invite the film community to participate in this conversation and offer creative input about how we can move the film industry forward by sending an email to Info@WashingtonFilmworks.org.

We want to reiterate that there was tremendous support for the bill in both the House and Senate.  If your elected officials voted for the bill or expressed their support for the legislation, we encourage you to write a note of thanks and ask that they continue to work with us in the future to help keep Washington's film industry vibrant and working. 

We want to sincerely thank the film community for the amazing support during this legislative session.  Washington Filmworks believes that all possible efforts were made to pass the legislation and that your voices were heard in Olympia.

 

"PULLING FOCUS" ALMOST HERE


Washington Filmworks would like to thank Deborah Moore for being our key speaker for our May 5 Pulling Focus at the Sorrento Hotel.  Deborah shared her vast experience as a Hollywood producer and helped educate the Washington film community about some of the business realities in movie-making. 

 

July 14 is the next Pulling Focus. Stay tuned to our website and our Facebook for more information on our upcoming panel.

WASHINGTON FILMWORKS LOCATION OF THE MONTH


Washington Filmworks is proud to announce May's Location of the Month.  This featured location will help showcase the wealth of diversity in locations across our state.  If you have a location you'd like (took some words out here) featured as a Location of the Month, please submit to us via info@washingtonfilmworks.org.
 
The May Location of the Month is Landmark on the Sound. Located is Des Moines on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, Landmark is a vacated elder care facility that has a wealth of locations under one roof including:  a hospital wing, a commercial kitchen and an elaborate sitting area.  With spectacular facilities and dedicated staff, Landmark is not only an excellent location, but also very friendly towards interested filmmakers. Director Matthew Clark recently featured Landmark in his 2011 Fly Film titled "After All This."

To find pictures and more information please visit their website: http://www.landmarkonthesound.com/

Those interested in utilizing Landmark on the Sound should call (206) 878-8434 (800) 820-4630 
AROUND THE TOWN

 s a part of Washington Filmworks ongoing efforts to facilitate production and community interaction in the Washington film community here is some of the work we're involved in around the state.
 
Washington Filmworks' Executive Director Amy Lillard was invited to Bellevue College Film club where she spoke about Filmworks' involvement in the motion picture community and what aspiring young filmmakers can do to advance their careers.

Washington Filmworks attended the gala opening night of the Seattle International Film Festival.  The best and brightest of the Seattle film scene rubbed shoulders with movie-fans of all shapes and sizes to see the premiere of Justin Chadwick's inspiring film THE FIRST GRADER.
 
The Filmworks staff was on hand to present the premiere of the 2011 Fly Filmmaking Challenge on Monday, May 31st at the Egyptian Theatre. Filmmakers Matthew Clark, SJ Chiro and Timothy Watkins showcased their talents as well as skills of the dedicated pool of actors and crew here in Washington.  For those who missed a chance to see these exceptional short films, another screening will be held 5:00pm June 7 at SIFF Cinema. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for more info.
   
Washington Filmworks was honored to participate in the Museum of History and Industry's 1st Annual "History Is______" Short Film Competition and to attend the premiere.  The winning films will get a chance to play during SIFF. Congratulations to all those who submitted films to this great program!