City turns to Whitefish firm for video

The city is going ahead with hiring a company to create a promotional video, but it will be using a local company, not the Florida-based Today In America Terry Bradshaw video company.

The Columbia Falls City Council on Aug. 20 unanimously approved an $8,140 video contract with Adam Pitman, of Whitefish, and his company, Badfritter Films, to do the work.

Pitman and his crew have made two award-winning films, “Roulette” and “Paper Dolls,” a feature-length documentary on the 50th anniversary of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, and promotional videos for communities and businesses.

City manager Susan Nicosia said Badfritter Films could start shooting video right away but, with other projects in the works, the city’s video might not be completed until November or December.

Mayor Don Barnhart said he wanted to hear the council explain one more time, “Why are we doing this?”

To attract families and businesses to Columbia Falls, councilor Mike Shepard explained.

“Then it’s for economic development,” Barnhart agreed.

Councilor Dave Petersen noted that the video could accomplish a lot at a fraction of what other Flathead communities spend promoting themselves. He also suggested a 60-90 second “kicker” would help remind tourists what town they passed through on their way to Glacier National Park.

Nicosia said she would talk to Montana West Economic Development about getting some funding for the video.