Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 17, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Film industry pumps up rural economies in state

OLYMPIA - Film makers spending big dollars in Washington are pumping up many rural economies, underscoring the importance of the film industry to Gov. Gary Locke's Rural Economic Development initiative. The initiative challenges rural communities to seek and discover their own creative ways to improve local economies rather than relying solely upon state government to solve economic problems.

"Communities are learning to make the best of what they have in their own backyards," said Gov. Gary Locke. "They are proving that they can sell themselves and reap substantial economic rewards from productions shot in their local areas."

Last year, "The Postman" left $10 million in Pend Oreille County. IMAX left $800,000 in Forks for "T-Rex", and television's Northern Exposure left $80 million in and around Roslyn from 1990-95. Overall, the state has received $150 of benefits for every dollar spent promoting Washington as a location for film and television productions.

Most recently, Warner Bros. spent $3.2 million in Coupeville and the San Juan Islands while working on the film project "Practical Magic." The film created 1,311 local temporary jobs and generated nearly $1.2 million in wages. Also benefiting from the project were hotels, hardware stores, car rental companies, retail stores and gas stations, according to Suzy Kellett of the Washington State Film Office (see break-out of spending below).

Other recently completed or current film projects in Washington include:

"Snow Falling on Cedars" produced by Kennedy/Marshall Films for Universal Pictures, was filmed last spring in Cathlamet, Whidbey Island and Port Townsend. The production hired over 200 locals and spent $1.5 million during its stay.

Currently filming is a production by Touchstone Pictures "10 Things I Hate About You," a contemporary adaptation of "The Taming of the Shrew." The 10-week filming schedule includes Tacoma and Seattle.

"The Book of Stars" by Seattle's ShadowCatcher Entertainment is in the final days of its 28 day schedule in Seattle. Last year ShadowCatcher produced "Smoke Signals" in Soap Lake, leaving approximately $1 million in the state and receiving critical acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival.

"Roadblock" directed by Joey Travolta and production managed through North by Northwest in Spokane hired l70 local cast and crew and left $360,000 in the Spokane community during their three week shoot.

The Washington State Film Office housed in the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, promotes the state for feature film, television, and commercial production.

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