Coupeville residents and businesses might get more time to prepare for commercials, TV shows, photo shoots, major motion pictures and smaller, independent films being shot in town.
According to Mayor Molly Hughes, the town wants to create an application process for future projects that take place in Coupeville. The application will provide information about what the project will entail, what locations will be involved and how it might disrupt daily operations and life.
In an email, Hughes clarified this is not in response to the “Practical Magic” sequel. She has not been contacted by Warner Bros. about any plans to shoot the film in Coupeville again and has no information about a possible return.
In some instances, the town has used a special events application that fails to provide all of the necessary information to fully prepare for those projects, Hughes said. As mentioned during a meeting with the town council last week, she has previously discussed with the Whidbey Island Tourism Committee the possibility of creating a “one size fits all” application for all of Island County, though that did not work because each area is different.
In other instances, the project has had little to no impact on routine activities that a permit wasn’t necessary, though each case is different, she said.
The information provided in the permit application, once shared with the community, would allow residents to avoid the locations involved or have fun observing the work in progress, while businesses can prepare for road closures, loss of parking, blocked sidewalks and large crews with plenty of time in advance.
“We have problems with them contacting us at the last minute,” she said. “It’s always a real scramble to make arrangements and get everything ready.”
Back in 2016 for example, according to a South Whidbey Record article from the same year, the town got little notice for an Alaska Airlines commercial that was filmed at the Coupeville High School gym.
“Practical Magic,” a beloved Halloween classic and the most famous film shot on Whidbey, is also remembered for causing a bit of a stir back in 1998 for disrupting the summer tourism season by closing Front Street.
According to a recent Whidbey News-Times article, former Mayor Nancy Conard said a committee was formed to create rules for future filming projects in town, though she couldn’t recall any resolutions being passed.
At the same time, attracting studios and smaller creators has brought significant benefits to the town and Whidbey, increasing tourist traffic and profits for local businesses, Hughes said. To this day, for example, there are events inspired by “Practical Magic.” The town can also recommend film crews to dine, sleep and shop at local businesses, she said.
With a sound permit application process, the town would also be able to decide whether the project should be allowed or not, Hughes said.
The mayor said there are some plans to shoot an independent film in 2025 in downtown Coupeville, with “very low impact to the community” and “very brief street closures,” she said.
