City of Seattle Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor

NEWS ADVISORY
SUBJECT:   Mayor proposes legislation to support local film industry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    9/22/2003  11:00:00 AM	FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Economic Development, Karin Zaugg (206) 733-9810 Office of the Mayor  (206) 684-4000

Mayor proposes legislation to support local film industry
Solid living-wage jobs for crews, production staff, vendors

SEATTLE - Mayor Nickels proposed legislation today to City Council that would support Seattle's local film industry and seek to attract more national filming to Seattle, bolstering a Seattle industry that in 2001 contributed $207 million to the local economy, including $63 million in salaries to local workers.

"During these tough economic times, it is critical to support our key industries and local jobs," stated Mayor Nickels. "The Seattle film and video industry employs almost 5,000 people, who produce independent and feature-length films, commercials and company videos. The film industry creates jobs for not only the filmmakers, but for actors, film crews, post-production professionals and caterers - all excellent living-wage jobs."

Seattle is competing with many other cities to attract major film productions. Many cities, such as New York, Philadelphia and Phoenix, as well as Vancouver, B.C., all offer a variety of incentives to filmmakers. The Mayor's proposed package to support the film industry includes:

• Reducing the City film permit fee to $25 a day; current charges are from $50 to $300 a day;
• Providing filmmakers with the use of City property and facilities as part of the City film permit fee;
• Providing location scouts with parking permits;
• Offering limited Seattle Police Department (SPD) assistance to low-budget independent filmmakers.

This package is an investment that supports the local independent filmmaker as well as the big productions coming in from out of town, both of which create job opportunities for local workers," stated Jan Drago, City Councilmember and Chair of the Finance, Budget, Business & Labor Committee.

The City's Office of Economic Development and the Mayor's Office of Film and Music recently commissioned an industry study with ECONorthwest quantifying the economic impact of the film industry. Key findings of this study show that in 2001:

• Film and video production produced 2,266 direct jobs in the city and supported a total of 4,991 jobs as a whole
• The film industry contributed $207 million to Seattle's economy
• Out of state film production companies spent $21.3 million in the city
• The average annual salary in the film industry paid $41,620.

"In this competitive business, it's critical for the City to help attract national filming to Seattle," stressed Don Jensen, owner of Alpha Cine Labs and member of the Mayor's Economic Opportunity Taskforce. "Given the current economic environment and slowdown in the film industry, producers are particularly sensitive to cost, and if the City can make the difference in a producer's decision, that can mean millions of dollars coming into our area."

"On the Stephen King mini-series 'Rose Red', more than 300 people represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IASTSE) Local 488 earned over $4 million in wages, health and retirement benefits," said Joel Youngerman, Business Manager for IATSE Local 488. "It is a great example of the impact this industry has on individuals."

Councilmember Jan Drago's committee will review the Mayor's proposed legislation at the October 1, 2003 meeting of the Finance, Budget, Business & Labor Committee.

For a full copy of the Seattle study, please contact Karin Zaugg, Office of Economic Development, at 206-733-9810. The City of Seattle partnered with the State of Washington on the commissioning of this study by ECONorthwest. For a full copy of the statewide impact of the film industry, please contact the Washington State Film Office at 206-256-6151.

For more information, visit the Mayor's website at www.seattle.gov/mayor.

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Office of the Mayor

Seattle's Film & Video Industry's Economic Impact

Definition of Film & Video Industry:

• Feature film, videos, television movies, television programs, commercials, commercial still photography, documentaries, animation, music videos

Benefits of the Film & Video Industry to Seattle:

• Provides strong economic contribution to the local economy
• Stimulates local employment
• Generates tax revenues
• Builds positive image of Seattle and stimulates tourism
• Supports Seattle's cultural resources and creative sector (artists, arts organizations, etc)

Revenues:

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