The movie industry may have a new friend at the helm of Washington state. Governor Inslee recently signed the legislation for the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program. That means incentives to produce a film locally is more attractive. The $3.5 million incentives has almost tripled with the stroke of a pen.
It became tough over the years to compete with other cities. Even Canada seemed to make more sense to filmmakers over the years. Vancouver, BC became a go-to location to get better benefits for making films. They may all change due to the new law. This move has created excitement among Washington’s film industry professionals.
There is talk of big money for the local economy and good jobs for workers with the possibility of big productions returning to the state and with new tax incentives going into effect. For the last thirty years, the film Sleepless in Seattle has been brought up whenever filmmaking is mentioned in reference to Washington State. That success seems to be the goal to create more memorable films in the future.
Filmmakers in the state have been pushing to boost incentives and tax credits for studios and production companies for years. And now, they may have the economic situation and lawmaker to make it all happen. The bill signed by the governor puts Washington in a more competitive position to lure productions. Oregon lawmakers got into the game as well providing $20 million a year with the state of Montana following with $12 million.
This is big for those seeking to make movies and reality shows. Now there will be no overlooking the area when shooting locations are being discussed. And, the local community could benefit greatly. Big money films spend about fifty percent of their budget on paying people and fifty percent goes to local businesses in food services, studios and much more.
