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Councilmember proposes film task force, $10,000 seed request to grow Tacoma film industry
Summary
A councilmember told the Economic Development Committee on April 14 that Tacoma issued far fewer film permits than Seattle and proposed a film task force plus a $10,000 contingency fund to update permitting and the motion-picture municipal code to attract local productions and create jobs and youth opportunities.
A councilmember presented a proposal to the City of Tacoma Economic Development Committee on April 14 to form a film-industry task force, request a $10,000 contingency fund to support initial work, and update the city's motion-picture municipal code and permitting process to attract more local film projects.
"Last year, Tacoma only issued 11 film permits, while Seattle issued, about 360," the proposer said, arguing that Seattle’s permitting volume supported more than 4,000 local crew and cast members and that Tacoma has untapped locations, hotels and crews who currently commute. The councilmember said the Grama Cinema will launch a film task force and she plans to bring a contingency-fund request to a study session on April 21 or 28.
The proposal would have the task force develop recommendations for council consideration including permitting updates, improved connectivity for local productions and measures to expand youth access to film-industry careers. The proposer said the task force would be diverse and include representation from above- and below-the-line crew, producers and youth; she asked committee members to consider cosponsoring the request.
Committee members expressed general enthusiasm and connected the proposal to economic-development, small-business and training goals. Several members noted potential youth opportunities (short films, visual-media labs, apprenticeships for electricians and carpenters on sets) and observed that the city's motion-picture municipal code has not been substantially updated since 1992, making a refresh timely.
City staff and the proposer noted ongoing permitting work and an update to the municipal code and permitting process being led by department staff. The committee did not vote on funding during the meeting; the proposer said she would bring the item forward at the scheduled study session for additional consideration.
