Summary: The Texas Film Commission was created in 1971 by the Governor. Willow Park will now be registered in the Texas Governor's list of Film-Friendly Designations, marketing Willow Park's potential as a place in Texas that welcomes and encourages the filming industry.
• Latest Update: posted 15 January 2025
• Tags: #Finance #Communications
• Note: Willow Park Civics is about Willow Park but is NOT associated with or managed by the City of Willow Park.
Willow Park is now a "Film-Friendly Designation."
The Texas Film Commission (TFC) was created in 1971 by Texas Governor Preston Smith. [1] During the 14 January 2025 Council Meeting, Willow Park joined the program as a Texas Film-Friendly Designation. (*Pending approval by the State.)
In the eight years since the Forth Worth Film Commission was established (2015), filming "has had a $655 million economic impact on Fort Worth," [2]
According to the City's Communication Director Rose Hoffman, filming has already occurred in (and around [4]) Willow Park, specifically The Shops at Willow Park. In context of Fort Worth's success in generating income at "minimal expense," Hoffman proposed the City of Willow Park become a Texas Film-Friendly Designation. [3]
Willow Park will now be registered in the Texas Governor's list of Film-Friendly Designations, marketing Willow Park's potential as a place in Texas that welcomes and encourages the filming industry.
Willow Park Sources and Resources
• [1] Office of the Texas Governor > Texas Film Commission > Certified Communities > North Central Area > DFW Area
The Texas Film Commission (TFC) was created in 1971 by Texas Governor Preston Smith, who found that it was, “in the social, economic and educational interest of Texas to encourage the development of the film-communication industry”. Since then, the TFC has expanded to include the television, commercial, video game, animation, visual effects, and extended reality (AR, VR, MR) industries.
[2] Action! Movie industry has multi-million impact in Fort Worth, City of Fort Worth, posted 21 February 2024
Visit Fort Worth rolled out the red carpet to the movie and film industry when it launched its Film Commission in 2015. It’s been an Oscar-winning performance since.
Over the past eight years, the Film Commission has had a $655 million economic impact on Fort Worth, Film Commissioner Jessica Christopherson told the City Council Tuesday.
[3] 14 January 2025 Council Meeting, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 10 January 2025 / Agenda Item 10. Discussion/Action: for the adoption of Film-Friendly Designation and acceptance of the Filming Guidelines policy.
• Background: As part of the City of Willow Park’s application to become a Certified Film- Friendly City with the Texas Film Commission, we are required to put filming and permitting guidelines in place. The attached guidelines are based on the template put forth by the state, staff is seeking council’s approval of the documents to move forward with the application.
• Exhibits: [See the Agenda Packet linked from the 14 January 2025 Council Meeting Willow Park Blog.]
• Application for Commercial Filming
• Guidelines for Filming in Willow Park, Texas [Excerpts]
I. Purpose
The Guidelines contained in this policy are intended to create a program for promoting economic development activity within Willow Park and the vicinity of the City. The following Guidelines are also intended to protect the personal and property rights of Willow Park, Texas residents and businesses, and to promote the public health, safety and welfare.
II. City Control/City Authority II. CITY CONTROL/COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AUTHORITY The Communications Director, in consultation with the City Manager and Chief of Police,
III. Permit Requirements and Fees
V. Use of City Equipment and Personnel
VI. Use of City-Owned Real Estate VII. Vehicles and Equipment
VIII. Hours of Filming Unless express written permission has been obtained from the Communications Director in advance, and affected property owners, tenants and residents have been notified, filming will be limited to the following hours: Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. / Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
IX. Notification of Neighbors The Applicant shall provide a short, written description, approved by the Communications Director, of the schedule for the proposed production to the owners, tenants and residents of each property in the affected neighborhood(s)
X. Certificate of Insurance
The Applicant shall attach a valid certificate of insurance, issued by a company authorized to conduct business in the state of Texas, naming the City of Willow Park and its agents, officers, elected officials, employees and assigns, as additional insured, in an amount not less than $1,000,000 general liability,
XI. Damage to Public or Private Property XII. Hold Harmless Agreement
[4] Willow Park Civics Blogs
• Here’s how to get in on the filming action in Fort Worth, 09 to 13 December 2024 Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 29 November 2024
• Taylor Sheridan's new "Land Man," filming around Fort Worth and Weatherford, is casting local oil roughnecks. Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 19 January 2024
• A new Christmas movie is filming in Granbury, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 06 December 2023
• Film Industry in Texas gets big boost from TX 88th Legislature. Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 14 September 2023
• Header Photo: McKinney: A Texas Film Friendly Community
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