Get in the Conversation with WF
Whether you’re thinking about your own career or thinking bigger picture, Washington Filmworks will host and participate in a series of events over the coming days in Seattle, designed to get audiences excited about the future of film in Washington State. No matter where you’re at in your film career, there’s a little something for everyone. Check it out.
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Want to get your film career started?
May 26 – Washington Filmworks: Careers in Film - Join Washington Filmworks at our panel at Northwest Folklife this Sunday, May 26, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm at SIFF Cinema. This fun and informative panel is moderated by Warren Etheredge (host of Emmy-nominated The High Bar) and includes union leaders and prominent names in the state film industry, including Amy Lillard (Washington Filmworks), Set and Artistic Designer, Lisa Hammond (IATSE), Actor, John Patrick Lowrie (SAG-AFTRA), and Costume Designer, Ron Leamon (IATSE). See clips from projects made in Washington and learn about local careers on set and on screen. Ask panelists about their experiences working in the industry and learn ways to build your own film career in Washington. This event is free. MORE INFORMATION HERE.
Much Ado at SIFF 2013
SIFF Opening Night Gala Red Carpet.
Last night kicked off a month of films from all around the world at the 2013 Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF). The festival expected nearly three thousand movie fans in attendance to enjoy the fanfare of the Opening Night Gala, featuring Joss Whedon’s adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing. Opening Night 2013 sold out in less than six hours and is one of the largest gala events each year in Seattle. The evening of film took place at McCaw Hall with an after-party at the Seattle Center’s Exhibition Hall.
Opening Night broke SIFF’s box office records.
Washington Filmworks Board Member, Paul Matthaeus, was presented with the 8th Annual Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film. Read More…
A Round of Applause to the Jury
Lab Finalist Team, Tracy Rector and Lou Karsen. (Photos courtesy of Philip Eichner.)
Washington Filmworks staff, Board and jury members spent last Friday hearing pitches from five applicants, selected as finalists for the inaugural innovation cycle of the Filmworks Innovation Lab. The Lab is Washington Filmworks’ newest funding assistance program. The Board may allocate up to $175,000 in funding assistance in this cycle, which was designed to support Washington filmmakers using new forms of production and emerging technologies.
Lab Finalist Team, Scott Schaefer and Steve Edmiston.
The day was filled with passionate presentations, thoughtful deliberation, and a well-deserved reception. Please save the date to join us Saturday, June 8 when Washington Filmworks will officially announce the outcome of the Lab at a program at the Seattle International Film Festival. Read More…
Washington: Permission to Film
Interstate Bridge in Vancouver
Washington Filmworks strives to showcase the diverse looks our state has to offer production. Whoever said “you can’t be in two places at once” has obviously never filmed here. While your cast and crew are in Washington, they can also be in a snow-covered Bavarian village, a serene Japanese garden, or a wine country vineyard. No matter what setting you envision, chances are you’ll find it within the borders of Washington State.
Aurora Corridor, Shoreline
Once you find that unspoiled location in the perfect town it’s time to secure permission to film there. But with nearly five hundred municipalities in Washington, where does a filmmaker start? Washington Filmworks can help connect you with a Film Liaison, the proper city authorities in most areas, but if you’re reaching out on your own, begin with a little research. Area Film Liaisons help to facilitate motion picture production within their jurisdiction. Liaisons are often an appointed staff member of a city or representatives of a Chamber of Commerce, who assist in communications between production and the host community to ensure the best possible outcome for all parties. Read More…
Washington Filmworks Announces Finalists for Innovation Lab
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington Filmworks Announces Five Finalists for Innovation Lab
Program designed to support Washington filmmakers using new forms of production and emerging technologies
Seattle, WA – May 7, 2013 – Washington Filmworks is pleased to announce the five finalists for the inaugural Innovation Cycle of the Innovation Lab. This cycle of the program offers up to $175,000 in funding assistance support and is designed to challenge local filmmakers to create motion picture content that traverses multiple platforms. Each of the five finalists will move on to the “Pitch Session” of the program where they will be encouraged to present new business and revenue models that leverage Washington’s film infrastructure in the digital era. Read More…
Explore Independents with STIFF
Spring film festival season is in full swing. The Seattle True Independent Film Festival (STIFF) begins its 9th year tonight, May 3. STIFF is dedicated to the exhibition of independent, underground, and experimental films. The festival was founded eight years ago by a group of filmmakers who saw a need for a film festival for independent films, made without lavish budgets and all-star casts.
STIFF founders set out to create a film festival free of long lines, high ticket prices, and exclusive parties. In that tradition, STIFF brings together films that rely on creativity and passion. This year’s film festival lasts 9 nine days, May 3-11, and will showcase shorts, narrative features, Cartoons & Bloody Marys, and STIFF’s more risqué program, “Indepenetration,” showcasing more provocative films. Read More…
Seattle: Your One-Stop Permit Shop
The Seattle Office of Film + Music is your one-stop permit shop for all film work on public City of Seattle property. Our office issues over 350 film permits per year and has a 75 year filmmaking history from Tugboat Annie, to Sleepless In Seattle and Northern Exposure, to Humpday and Eden. Seattle has done and seen it all.
The Seattle Great Wheel opened to the public on June 29, 2012, and is one of the highest observation decks on the west coast.
Film permits are a critical component when you are filming or staging vehicles and equipment on public property. Film permits allow you first right for the public locations you are working. Film permits ensure you have the correct permission from the correct governing authority, which is particularly important while filming in Seattle since there are numerous permitting agents for public property including the Pike Place Market, Port of Seattle, Washington Ferries, and others. Just as important as permission, film permits set the framework for your production to have successful location planning, successful shoot days, happy crews, and neighborhoods that want you to come back.
Unique Seattle landmarks offer great places for filming, such as the Seattle Public Library, located Downtown.
We believe the not-so-secret key to successful location filming is communication. When you communicate in advance what you are doing and when you are doing it, you will always have a successful shoot. Nearly every complaint we have is from neighbors who were not aware of the filming or work impact in advance. Because of this, a requirement of the Seattle Film Permit is advance notification to everyone
