Washington State is taking the film industry seriously. Lucrative jobs and business opportunities are built into moviemaking. National news is showing the writer’s strike which is bringing major studio productions to a halt. But, that is not stopping independentfilms and commercials. Washington’s Motion Picture Competitiveness Program created by the Legislature is not taking no for an answer in drawing filmmakers and TV creators to Washington.
More money is already being realized. For instance, in 2022, the budget for Washington state film production incentives went from $3.5 million to $15 million in 2022. Oregon has a $20 million dollar incentive while Montana is at $12 million. Washington is no stranger to big films.
Tom Cruise created a major opportunity for the State. Summer 2022 movie blockbuster season kicked off May 27 with the release of the sequel to “Top Gun.” Cruise reportedly insisted on filming the aerial action in real fighter jets and rejected where possible using computer-generated imagery. NAS Whidbey Island hosted an advance screening on the base on May 21.
The movie incentives come in small, medium and large. Large companies must spend at least $150,000 for commercials, $300,000 per episode for series and $500,000 for movies to qualify for funding. Local businesses can be included in the filmmaking process. Also, those dollars create union jobs and business opportunities for food preparers, auto rentals, make up artists, jig opperators and much more.
Medium-sized productions with budgets between $2 million and $10 million like “Z Nation” and “Going Home” are in demand. Online films are big now and artists are finding ways to benefit largely because streaming services need content. Tax incentives and discounts save money and helps increase the bottom line.
There is something for the little projects. The Small Budget Project Initiative is funded by Washington Filmworks. It encourages new filmmakers to apply for project funding. Submissions for the latest round were reviewed in early July. Filmmakers should br ready next year.
This is all about film art and business. Washington Filmworks offers funding assistance of up to 40% for commercials filming in rural counties. That means companies receive cash-back, up to a certain percent if they invest in wages, benefits and services in Washington.
