Since February 2007, the film  industry has brought $109 million to Washington State. Meanwhile,  just across the border, the film industry in British Columbia is bringing the province over a billion dollars in revenue annually. Here in Washington, fledgling  and experienced filmmakers alike flee to Los Angeles to make a career in film. With neighbors like BC as an example, film- and lawmakers in Washington State want to make the state a  film industry destination by increasing incentives to film here.

King 5 in Seattle did a short piece on film incentives in WA:

If video does not load click here.

If you live in Washington and want to see our film industry grow, write to your legislator in support of House Bill 1554 and Senate Bill 5539, which address Washington Filmworks and the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program.

Washington Filmworks has excellent guidelines for writing and information on how previous incentives have increased filmmaking in the state on their website. WA Filmworks even provides a link to a site where you can find your legislators, and an example letter. Here are some of their recommendations for writing:

Write in your own words and style.

Get to the point in the first sentence or two, and mention House Bill 1554 and Senate Bill 5539, which addresses Washington Filmworks and the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program.

Incorporate key program successes: Immediate Job Creation, Family Wage Jobs, and without the incentive the businesses wouldn’t come.

If you can cite a particular instance in which Washington Filmworks has been helpful to you and others mention it.

Make certain you tell the legislator that he or she represents you. If you have met the legislator or been a political supporter in the past, mention it in passing.

Always end by asking the legislator for a response to let you know where he or she stands on the issue.

If the legislator has helped you in the past or done something recently that you approve of, add a compliment about it.

If the legislator responds with a message of strong support for your request, say thank-you in a short reply. If the legislator says no, it’s sometimes helpful to respond by saying you are disappointed and that you hope that he or she will reconsider later or find other ways to help.

The Washington Film Political Action Committee (FilmPAC) is another organization to check out how you can get involved with supporting filmmaking in Washington State!

Finally, here a few example letters from members of the Spokane Committee to their legislators in support of increasing incentives and growing the film industry in Washington State.

From Mike Vukas, a freelance Directory of Photography in Spokane, who often works at NXNW:

Thank you for taking the time to read my input on SB 5539/HB 1554. I live in Spokane and have seen first hand how successfully the current incentive program has been. Without it I doubt that there would be a film business, surely not one that would allow me to make a living in the great State of Washington. I love living here and being a part of the community. I understand the difficult financial times that we are in and that hard choice need to be made. I haven’t done extensive research, but here are some facts about the Louisiana film industry that I found interesting.

Some key facts about Louisiana’s film industry:
• More than $2 billion in productions have been filmed in Louisiana since 2002

• The total direct impact to Louisiana’s economy is $1.48 billion

• The percentage of film budgets spent in Louisiana has risen from 33% in 2005 to 87% for 2007

• Film-related jobs in Louisiana have grown at a rate of 23% per year

• Over 50 projects were completed in 2007 statewide
• An estimated 65 projects will be completed in 2008
Source: Louisiana Film Office

Nothing against the State of Louisiana, but Washington is a much more desirable place to be. We are closer to Hollywood, more diverse geographically, have an educated work force, and the list goes on.

I feel very strongly that we could build the Washington film business into a significant economical force of we can give it the support it deserves. If there are any questions I might answer for you, please feel free to contact me.

And here’s a letter from Producer and Director of Purple Crayon Pictures Juan Mas, who also contracts with NXNW:

Honorable Senators and Representatives,

I write to you in hopes that you will continue to support the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program and the work of Washington Film Works.  I could list numbers and facts to support why a program like this brings great benefits to our great state but I am sure you have reams of paper for your review that tells you all the facts.

What I am not sure if those rims of paper tells you how a program like this has influenced young college students and film makers not to flee to  Los Angeles. That they have stayed  to get involved with their community and continue their growth and education in film production. They are the future and they have reason to stay if there is work.

Since moving here over ten years  from LA for a better life I have never regretted my decision. I have been a guest speaker at Washington based Universities and Junior colleges. I have created and develop internships with these schools to further help their students get the exposure they need. I participated in organizations that support and helps novice film makers that are students or non.  I have created several film programs and competitions for these young film makers to challenge themselves.

Still I have struggled when listening to so many young people  tell me there is no reason for them to stay here. That  they have to go LA to really become film makers.

Yes our state offers so much like a diversity of locations and looks and a strong network of technical support from professional business but our work force is small. It is growing fast and over the last five years their has been a rise of a strong knowledgeable work force. This comes from an increase of television and film production in our state. And this largely to do with Washington Film Works and  Motion Picture Competitiveness Program.

With out this we lose the ability to be competitive in the industry but more important we then will lose the opportunity to hold on to those young people that could become active and vibrant members of  our community.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further please contact me.

Thank you for your time and Patience.