UPDATE: About the film crew at Fauntleroy Park

| Fauntleroy | Seen around town | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Added: WSB photos)

11:15 AM: Several questions so far this morning about a film crew set up on the SW Barton side of Fauntleroy Park. We asked the Fauntleroy Watershed Council if they had any notification, since this is salmon-release season and they routinely have volunteers in the park as well as dozens of visiting students. They hadn’t been notified in advance but did some investigating for us and volunteer John learned, “They’re shooting stills for Kia car company that will be used in a variety of marketing material. They will be there all day.”

12:29 PM: Added photos. As volunteer John added in a followup email, “They’re taking shots of a new Kia vehicle nestled under a cedar.”

Just wondering May 19, 2025 (2:17 pm)

Isn’t that the model of car that could be stolen by using a USB?

WSB May 19, 2025 (2:34 pm)

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I don’t know what model Kia this is, but yes, Kias and Hyundais were the subject of that kind of theft for a while, largely older models, though, I seem to recall.

Jim P. May 19, 2025 (3:18 pm)

What is the process for allowing a private, for profit company to take over a public space like this?I take it public hearings are not held so as to avoid local citizens having a say in how their local park is cut off from public use?

The wondering Filmaker May 19, 2025 (7:56 pm)

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Almost every City in the country has a process for allowing film crews to use different things (streets, parts of parks, landmarks, etc.) for a specific period of time for filming. There is usually a cost associated with getting that permit. On top of that, these sorts of things employ local crew, which is very important for Seattle, as there is not much of a film industry to speak of, so any work is awesome to have. You can read about the permitting process here: https://www.seattle.gov/economic-development/key-industries/creative-economy/film/film-permitsAll of your favorite films, TV shows, commercials, etc., were filmed somewhere. I think it’s pretty cool that we’ll hopefully get to see one of our local parks on TV!

Joe May 19, 2025 (4:22 pm)

They should be made aware of the fact that their stolen cars to this date continue to affect Seattle. They have no shame

Rhonda May 20, 2025 (2:21 am)

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100% of the blame is on the car thieves, not Kia.
- Com. Sens. May 20, 2025 (10:26 pm)
  
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  Kia saved money by not adding standard security features, not disclosing their absences to customers, and didn’t even pass the savings on to the customer. just like any oil company, they forced the environment and community to shoulder a burden they created to pad margins. they are absolutely not blameless unless you put profits over people always.

John H May 19, 2025 (4:40 pm)

That is so cool and what a great location to get the shots!

Loy May 19, 2025 (5:45 pm)

OMGosh really!? We should be glad to hv filming in Seattle again. Lighten up…

Lincoln Park Eagle May 19, 2025 (5:49 pm)

Do we know if Kia pays the city for such access? Seems such funds, if levied, could support the salmon release program or other worthwhile activities. I noticed the temporary “no parking” signs last night.

WSB May 19, 2025 (6:16 pm)

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I hope to follow up on this but generally a permit would be issued by the city Special Events/Film office and fees would be paid. There are often shoots in city parks, though this kind of thing has been far more commonly seen at, for example, Don Armeni Boat Ramp, with the city backdrop – TR
Jim May 20, 2025 (1:24 pm)

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You realize this is not Kia doing this but a company hired to produce video and pictures for them….

MyThruppence May 19, 2025 (5:54 pm)

I personally hate all the car/truck companies using the “in the wild” marketing images and approaches. It makes me wonder how much damage is done to relatively pristine ecosystems by vehicles/owners constantly primed by marketers to go farther and farther into untouched back country. Every time I see a car driving through a river in a commercial I feel sick to my stomach, knowing it may take decades for those type scars to heal themselves. Stop feeding the destruction! We don’t have much unadulterated nature left so we all need to stop glorifying treating it so shabbily.

Skipalapondo May 19, 2025 (10:22 pm)

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Thank you for this comment! I agree. Off roading may be a sport for some folks, but I personally consider it just an awful hobby that separates you from the very nature you’re plowing through to “enjoy.” Plus the emphasis on power and size “for when you have to ford a river!” makes those types of vehicles a hazard and nuisance on city streets, where most of them will spend the majority of their time.
anonyme May 20, 2025 (6:01 am)

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Thank you for saying this; I agree completely. It makes me sick when I see ads with supersized vehicles tearing through pristine terrain. Jess also makes a good point: if bikes aren’t allowed on the trail, why a car – for any reason? I’m all for filming in Seattle but car worship (along with gun worship) have gripped the imagination (and taken the lives) of too many Americans.
dhg May 20, 2025 (10:34 am)

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Even worse is when car companies give an exaggerated view of their car’s capabilities. Jeep would show their car driving INTO THE OCEAN, suggesting it’s ready for any off road adventure. A woman tried to drive her jeep across a creek that was just 3 feet deep. It picked up the car and swept it downstream and the woman died.

Jess May 19, 2025 (6:00 pm)

How did they get approval for this? No bikes on the trail=no cars on the trail!

ams May 20, 2025 (7:12 am)

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See above comments regarding permitting. Seattle has been extremely unfriendly to film and commercial production for decades. I think it is good the City has begun to “reopen” (floabt) this line of work.Did you know that for a few hundred dollars you and you neighbors can apply to have your street closed to all traffic for a day to throw a party? Search “street use, block party”.
K May 20, 2025 (7:19 am)

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There’s an application and approval process. There are fees paid to the city. Commercial film shoots are also helpful to local businesses, where crew members will stop and have lunch or make other purchases while they’re here. There are rules governing these shoots, and I guarantee they are watched much closer than the scores if off leash dogs that tear up the park daily.

Alki resident May 19, 2025 (7:21 pm)

It amazes me how a handful of selfish people are in this community. It’s a public park and everyone is welcome, except pickleball players and KIA of course. Seems as if someone is inconvenienced by filming as if there aren’t three other entrances to the forest.

Melissa May 20, 2025 (8:47 am)

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This is Fauntleroy Park, Alki Res, not Lincoln Park. It’s a much smaller, wilder park with fewer access points. And none of them are wide, which means that this car and the crew are damaging the undergrowth.

Good Riddance May 20, 2025 (5:36 am)

Reading these comments just reinforces my decision to no longer be part of West Seattle. Just relax – you’re not better than anyone else and WS is not you’re personal island that nobody can visit.

Really? May 20, 2025 (10:49 am)

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Well, considering you’re on the WS Blog still reading and contributing, I call BS….
- Alki resident May 20, 2025 (8:20 pm)
  
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  Considering he still has connections to West Seattle, it’s perfectly acceptable and normal that people still follow what goes on around here even if they are now hundreds of miles away. You still see the occasional obituary of someone who moved away years ago but still had ties and history to West Seattle. When we move, we’ll still be reading local media pages. It’s not that serious. People need to stop being so petty around here.

Dan May 20, 2025 (9:38 am)

What a daring film crew, imagine a future where you can have a kia sitting on Fauntleroy and it isn’t stolen, couldn’t be me (who had their kia stolen off Fauntleroy…like a month ago🙄😑)

melissa May 20, 2025 (11:59 am)

My Kia Soul was stolen from my parking space in Mill Creek. It was found a few days later half submerged in silver lake with engine still running. It was a total loss. Window was smashed they left the screw driver in the car and steering wheel was taken out and usb they used to start the car was also left in car. Car was ran sacked. Wonder if those images will be part of their commercials.