Unveiling the Cinematic Charm of Yakima
In the heart of central Washington lies a city often overlooked but brimming with untapped cinematic magic - Yakima. Kate and Brooke delve into the unique attributes that make Yakima a compelling backdrop for indie filmmakers and their creative endeavors.
We kick off with a discussion about podcast titles, where we contemplate the significance of our podcast title "First Draft Films." The catchy title, they note, embodies the spirit of their discussions—free-flowing and unscripted, much like a first draft. The sub-title of our podcast, “From Indie to Hollywood”, isn't about ending up in Hollywood but rather about transforming the cinematic landscape right where they are—in Yakima.
Contrary to popular belief, Yakima, with its 90,000 inhabitants, stands as the largest city in the region. Nestled amidst a desert landscape, Yakima surprises with its varied topography, boasting not only sand dunes and cacti but also lush riverbanks. Yakima sits at 1000ft above sea level, not the previously assumed 100ft.
Our favorite aspects of Yakima, though, are the people and the tight-knit community. We don’t like to focus on topics like crime rates, but instead on the inexplicable charm that keeps people rooted in Yakima. It's like a love letter to the city, showcasing its magnetic allure beyond the stereotypical portrayals.
Sagebrush is prevalent, giving the landscape a distinctive character. Yakima, we would argue, is more than just a desert; it's a region with diverse features, including the majestic Columbia River and the breathtaking Cascade Mountains.
The Cascades, unarguably the most beautiful mountain range in America, maintains a host of fond memories for both Kate and Brooke, and their respective families. With Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, and Mount Clemens, the view from almost anywhere in Yakima is hardly boring.
Yakima is proudly the apple capital of the world, and has been for some time. As “apple experts” (by association and nothing more) we recommend avoiding the infamous red Delicious and opting for varieties like Honey Crisp, Fuji, Cosmic Crisp, Gala, Pink Lady, and Johnny Gold.
We plan to establish Granon Film Studios in Yakima, leveraging the region's diverse landscape for our sci-fi show, "29 Trouble." We are excited about showcasing Yakima's rich tapestry on screen, and promise a departure from the generic portrayal of desert planets in sci-fi.
The local indie scene is brimming with talent. We have worked with so many talented individuals, including, but not limited to, Gage Clift, Kyle Roy, and Mikaela (Meeks) Cerna. Each person contributes a unique perspective and skill set, enriching the local filmmaking community.
We have also met fellow filmmakers in other places around the Pacific North West, like the Doomed Productions trio from Portland, bridging the gap between cities and fostering a sense of unity. We envision a future where Yakima becomes a hub for indie filmmakers, The recently introduced Washington tax incentives for filmmakers will hopefully attract more projects to the region.
We invite all filmmakers to join us in unlocking Yakima's cinematic potential and utilizing the city's vibrant storytelling landscape.
