Lights, camera, action! The Seattle City Council confirmed the appointment of the first members of the Seattle Film Commission on Friday, April 21 marking a “transformational moment in the future of film in Seattle,” according to Councilmember Sara Nelson.
The commission was established through legislation spearheaded by Councilmember Nelson in partnership with the Office of Economic Development. It will advise the city on policies and programs to strengthen the regional film industry, create more living wage jobs in the creative economy, and attract more film and television production to Seattle.
About the Commission
The 11-member commission will serve as a conduit between the city and the film industry and community to advise on the development of efforts that reinforce and grow the role of film in the region’s content and creative industries, build inclusive career pathways into the film industry, and drive economic growth by attracting and retaining local, regional, national, and global business.
The Council confirmed the appointment of the first 10 commissioners on Tuesday. They include:
- Position 1: Lowell Deo (On-screen talent or their representatives)
- Position 2: Melissa Purcell (Film industry labor unions)
- Position 3: Michael Huang (Advertising and creative agencies)
- Position 4: Tom Florino (Commercial producers or production companies)
- Position 5: Laura Cronin (Film schools, film programs, or film educators)
- Position 6: Champ Ensminger (Post-production companies and personnel)
- Position 7: Kat Ogden (Film production crew)
- Position 8: Beth Barrett (Film festivals or film content distribution companies )
- Position 9: Mark Freid (Film location managers )
- Position 10: Anthony Tackett (Film organizations belonging to and advocating for underrepresented communities)
These commissioners will now elect the 11th commissioner themselves.
We have all the pieces we need for a thriving film industry, and this talented group will help us capitalize on the opportunities in front of us,” said Markham McIntyre, Director for the Seattle Office of Economic Development.
New state and local resources for film production
The Film Commission will build on work by the Washington State Legislature to raise the state’s filmmaking incentive from $3.5 million a year to $15 million, making Washington more competitive and allocating more funds towards underrepresented communities. In addition, King County unveiled the 117,000 square-foot Harbor Island Studios nearly two years ago, which has two soundstages and has already hosted production of shows like Three Busy Debras and Love Is Blind.