Viva Tacoma Film and Arts

When’s the last time you took an out of towner around Tacoma, showing off our rich history of film locations?  For me, it’s a common occurrence.  But it’s been over twenty years since the last major motion picture was shot in Tacoma.

-Ten Things I Hate About You

-The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

-I Love You To Death

-Three Fugitives

-Get Carter

-Stephen King’s Rose Red

We need to bring the film industry BACK to T-Town.  Why?  Because we have a beautiful city and splashing those scenes on the big screen around the country, and the world, is important to the success of Tacoma.  Not only does the film industry provide jobs for locals, but it also enriches tourism and a sense of pride in our region.  Tacoma has so many cinematic features that make it a very attractive location for the film industry.  So much diversity in architecture, unique venues, amazing waterfronts and parks, beautiful neighborhoods and storefronts to portray the needs of any script.

The lack of films being shot is not just a Tacoma issue, it’s a statewide issue as well.  Other states are making it more attractive to film studios to do business elsewhere.  Tax breaks and incentives in other states and cities play a huge part in where the studios decide to shoot their movies and we need to rectify that situation.
As Mayor, I would arrange meetings with the Powers That Be at the state level and work on finding solutions to end this drought of film makers coming to our state and to Tacoma in particular.  We have grown so much since the last time a movie was filmed here and we have so much more to offer the world, cinematically.  It’s time for us to generate more interest to Tacoma and bring back what could be a wonderful working relationship with Hollywood.

My hope is for future generations to give those same tours to guests, showing off a rich history of movie making magic and a sense of pride of what I feel is one of the best kept secrets in America.

Tacoma is a gem for all to see.