Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Between state ferries, Pike Place Market, and the Space Needle, there are a lot of reasons Hollywood directors love to cast Seattle.
But today, most feature films set in the city aren't actually shot here. That's pushed Seattle to find other ways of capitalizing on its unique on-screen charms. Instead of feature films, the city is betting big on commercials.
On today's episode: How did Seattle’s feature film industry end up on the cutting room floor? And what would it take to bring back its golden era?
GUEST: Chris Swenson (washingtonfilmworks.org/team/chris-swenson) , Film Program Manager, Seattle Office of Economic Development.
Do you have a story idea for us? Give us a call at (206) 221-7158 (about:invalid#zCSafez) and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at booming@kuow.org (mailto:booming@kuow.org) .
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes (kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes) .
Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith (kuow.org/authors/carol-smith) . Our producers are Lucy Soucek (kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek) and Alec Cowan (kuow.org/authors/alec-cowan) . Our hosts are Joshua McNichols (kuow.org/authors/joshua-mcnichols) and Monica Nickelsburg (kuow.org/authors/monica-nickelsburg) .
Support the show: kuow.org/donate
See omnystudio.com/listener (omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
Between state ferries, Pike Place Market, and the Space Needle, there are a lot of reasons Hollywood directors love to cast Seattle.
But today, most feature films set in the city aren't actually shot here. That's pushed Seattle to find other ways of capitalizing on its unique on-screen charms. Instead of feature films, the city is betting big on commercials.
On today's episode: How did Seattle’s feature film industry end up on the cutting room floor? And what would it take to bring back its golden era?
GUEST: Chris Swenson (washingtonfilmworks.org/team/chris-swenson) , Film Program Manager, Seattle Office of Economic Development.
Do you have a story idea for us? Give us a call at (206) 221-7158 (about:invalid#zCSafez) and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at booming@kuow.org (mailto:booming@kuow.org) .
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes (kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes) .
Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith (kuow.org/authors/carol-smith) . Our producers are Lucy Soucek (kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek) and Alec Cowan (kuow.org/authors/alec-cowan) . Our hosts are Joshua McNichols (kuow.org/authors/joshua-mcnichols) and Monica Nickelsburg (kuow.org/authors/monica-nickelsburg) .
Support the show: kuow.org/donate
See omnystudio.com/listener (omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
