Meet Steph Shannon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steph Shannon.

Hi Steph, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The diligent advocacy work of the all-volunteer Film Commission and local industry stakeholders resulted in the City of Kansas City, MO, and Visit KC re-opening an officially sanctioned film office for Kansas City in October 2014. I am the lucky person hired to fill the roll as Director and take on the service of Film Commissioner for the Kansas City Metro Region.

My background is in production including producing work and other facets of physical production as well as advertising agency roles and sales/marketing roles inside and outside of the industry. Even though I didn’t grow up in Kansas City, it is home and I’m wholly dedicated to igniting a passion for Kansas City.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As exciting as starting something new is, it can also be daunting. KC Film Office needed systems, protocols, processes, relationships, and in short order needed to establish Kansas City in the industry at large as a film-friendly destination for production work. I did a 45-day listening tour and met with many people in the industry and across governments to hear what they believed our needs were and any ideas they had to get us moving in the right direction. I had great support from Missouri Film Office and Kansas Arts Industries Commission, who respectively are resources state-wide for the industry.

A major challenge for Kansas City at the beginning is that we didn’t have any incentive (business incentive) to recruit production work here, like most states and many cities across the U.S. have. I am proud to say that Kansas City rectified this by unanimously passing a modest local filming incentive program ordinance called KCMO Film Development Program. This program has been key in recruiting film, TV, and commercial productions like Netflix show Queer Eye Seasons 3 and 4, NBC’s American Ninja Warrior, the independent feature films All Creatures Here Below and The Stylist, and commercial projects like Got Milk? and Dixie Paper Plates.

I do imagine a day soon when one or both states (MO and KS) have statewide incentive programs that give us a competitive edge to capture some major projects with large budgets. We have certainly had the interest and I enjoy maintaining those relationships, even though the work didn’t manifest for us in KC.

I’d like us to witness Kansas City on big and small screens all over the world!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have a unique job, “Film Commissioner.” It means that I focus on recruiting projects (sales), showcasing the Kansas City region in a myriad of ways to the industry (marketing) and I provide production assistance and resources to projects that do film here. I am proud that KC Film Office averages serving 200 projects each year for an estimated impact of more than $10M annually. I also advocate for our industry at the local and state levels to ensure leadership understands that this industry is important and growing.

I’m also proud of the care and attention our office gives clients. Here are some of my favorite quotes:

“Over the years, our company has been fortunate to shoot in cities across the globe. Kansas City, MO, has eclipsed them all…”
– Geoffrey Lind, Executive in Charge of Production, ITV “Queer Eye”

“We could not have asked for a better experience. Everything from the location to the cultural activities has been universally praised by our staff and crew.”
– Kristen Stable, Executive VP Production “American Ninja Warrior”

“I’ve never felt more supported by a city as a filmmaker. Thank you so much, Kansas City. We WILL be back.”
– Amy Greene, Film Producer

Finally, I’m incredibly proud of our crew and filmmakers in Kansas City. We have top-notch professionals that are as good or better than pros in the big markets like Atlanta, LA, and NYC.

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I have a great team of people around me at Visit KC and within the city. So often, I’m a “go go go” person who loves setting and getting goals accomplished. To do these things, I have to work outside my comfort zone to speak publicly, make cold calls, deal with issues that arise, do interviews, give testimony, and more.

Knowing that the higher good is at stake – our region, our city, our industry is all that matters. I will do whatever is needed to get the job done and for us to be represented with integrity, purpose, and authenticity. Showing up, being present, having enthusiasm are all part of the risks that bring great rewards.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
• Website: KCFilmOffice.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filminkc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FilmInKC
• Twitter: @kansascityfilm
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSkfHG3irbD2bhYEgEsCIDw

Image Credits
Headshot photographed by Lindsay Dorsey