City earns Film Friendly Texas Certified Community designation

On July 2, Willow Park was designated a Film Friendly Texas Certified Community by the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office.

The city was designated by the Texas Film Commission, joining more than 200 other communities in the state that would help media and film projects scout and work within the city.

Rose Hoffman, Communications and Marketing Director for the City of Willow Park, said the idea came when a television production came and asked if they could shoot within the city limits a few years ago.

“We didn’t really have a permitting or any policy in place,” Hoffman said. “It was our motivator to get this done. I’m sure you are familiar with the film industry in North Texas is getting really explosive and there are a lot of stuff going on here. We thought it was only a matter of time until we were scouted again so we wanted to make sure we were prepared.”

The hit show “Landman” is the biggest example of a recent show shooting in Fort Worth that has opened the floodgates for more media productions in the area.

The city had to take multiple steps to to earn the title of designation.

“I had to take a class with the Texas Film Commission, they explained how it works, what the process looks like, and what you have to do to be prepared,” Hoffman said. “After that you have to establish what your permitting requirements and what your policies are going to be related to your film stuff.”

Hoffman brought the proposal to the city council to show them what the application would look like, permitting would look like, and the policies would be. There was no opposition from anyone on the council as it passed with enthusiasm.

The final step was going around and taking pictures of all the city owned properties to put into the TFC data base online so filmmakers could look to see if they would want to shoot in Willow Park.

Productions will have to get approval from Hoffman and city departments will be able to inspect all structures, property, devices, and equipment if it is deemed necessary. All of the guidelines for filming is expected to be posted on the City of Willow Park’s website this week so residents can see for themselves. 

Hoffman sees one benefit for outside media productions coming to town being the boost to the local economy.

“When these people come in, they bring in really large crews sometimes,” Hoffman said. “It might be a hundred people in a parking lot somewhere with a tent camp. All of the people, cast and crew, will have to eat somewhere, stay somewhere, get their groceries. When we have the ability to open our doors to them as a city, that makes it more likely they will stay here and spend their money here.”

Another benefit will be showing off the the city to outsiders as well as the thrill of residents seeing where they live portrayed in media.

“We are just excited to show off Willow Park to other people,” Hoffman said. “We think we have a really good thing going here and we think its an awesome thing to share with other folks.”