The reaction among filmmakers to the news that Mayor Ed Murray has given the boot to James Keblas, the director of the Office of Film + Music? Shock. "It's hard to imagine any plausible reason why he shouldn't continue to hold this position for as long as we're able to keep him," the award-winning director Megan Griffiths wrote in the comments on a Change.org petition last night, right after the news broke. "I remember the Seattle film community before James Keblas, and it has improved so vastly and completely under his guidance," Griffiths wrote.

"He has had a huge direct impact on my ability to make the films I've made," Griffiths added in an email to me. "I was around before he was appointed, and can say with some authority that he has made it a better town for filmmaking."

Filmmaker Lynn Shelton is in Los Angeles right now, directing an episode of New Girl, but last night she pleaded with Mayor Murray on Twitter to reinstate Keblas. Reached for comment today, Shelton added that Keblas was the best ally Seattle filmmakers have ever had at city hall. "James spearheaded a seismic shift in the attitude of our city towards film production. Emblematic of this shift: streamlining the street permitting process and slashing the fee from $200/day to $25/day. He was a champion of local film artists but also rolled out the welcome mat for out-of-town productions, which enabled local crew folk to actually make a living while staying in Seattle."

Shelton added, "I am dismayed and saddened and shocked that Mayor Murray would even consider not reappointing the man who so creatively and effectively helped to transform our city into a warm and welcoming environment for both the local film and music communities."

"I want to know the mayor's rationale," said Basil Harris, an actor who's appeared in locally made feature films like Safety Not Guaranteed, along with four of Shelton's movies, including the forthcoming Laggies, which just premiered at Sundance. "By all accounts, Keblas was a superstar in his job and he wanted to keep doing it, so the mayor's decision appears arbitrary and politically tone-deaf," Harris said. "Again, I really think he owes a specific explanation to the arts community and the business interests connected to it."

Ben Kasulke, the cinematographer who won a Stranger Genius Award last year, told me: "James Keblas and his assistant badass Chris Swenson have done more for this city film-wise than anyone else. I am only privy to talk about the indie feature scene, but there is a whole community of film professionals that live off of commercials that shoot in our backyards. Keblas and his efforts have directly lead to local and out-of-town films having an amazing production experience in Seattle, a city that in the eyes of an often myopic industry based in Los Angeles or New York may as well be on the moon. Without James, Chris, and the crew at the Office of Film + Music, films like Safety Not Guaranteed, Lucky Them, and Laggies would not have been as easily transplanted to Seattle. Keblas helped a lot of my loved ones export cinema from the city we are proud to call home."

Evidently seeking to reassure filmmakers that she isn't just a music person, Kate Becker issued a letter today responding to the backlash. Here's one paragraph:

For those who are expressing concern, please know that I am deeply committed to advancing the success of the work that is underway and the work of the future. I have an extensive background in leadership and community organizing, deep music community history, and a lifelong love of film. While I have a degree in filmmaking and history that includes building a media lab and launching a filmmaking program for teenagers, I look forward to meeting and working with many others whom I haven't met yet.

Becker's entire letter is below.

Hello Film and Music community stakeholders,

It is with tempered excitement that I agreed to step up to the plate to head the phenomenal work of the Office of Film and Music (OFM) that has been led by my respected friend and colleague James Keblas. All of this has happened very quickly, and is causing some fervor and concern in the community.

It is very clear that people have tremendous admiration for James and his legacy, as do I. I have had the good fortune to work with James in multiple capacities over the years. He and I have been in the trenches together, including co-founding the Vera Project with Shannon Stewart in 2000. We have mutual respect for each other, and have supported each other throughout our careers. We continue to do so now as the community hears this news.

One of the most appealing aspects of accepting this appointment is knowing that I'll be attempting to fill the giant shoes of a highly successful and effective director. His stellar work will be continued by the top notch OFM staff with my full support. With your help, we will take what has been built and advance even further the mission of making Seattle a great place for film and music. While this office has seen tremendous success, there is more that can be done. I look forward to building that with you.

For those who are expressing concern, please know that I am deeply committed to advancing the success of the work that is underway and the work of the future. I have an extensive background in leadership and community organizing, deep music community history, and a lifelong love of film. While I have a degree in filmmaking and history that includes building a media lab and launching a filmmaking program for teenagers, I look forward to meeting and working with many others whom I haven't met yet.

When I came to work at the City of Seattle ten months ago, James jumped in to support me and help me adapt to new work, new colleagues, and new opportunities. I have complete faith, as well as his commitment, that he will be there for me now as we move through this transition. I am honored to have the good faith and trust invested in me by the Mayor to carry on this work.

I have reviewed the ambitious 2014 work plan of the OFM, and am excited to continue advancing the City of Music and Commercialize Seattle initiatives that are the foundation of Seattle's unique public/private partnership to support musicians and filmmakers in a highly competitive environment.

I am also honored to oversee the function that coordinates city-wide permitting activities for film, special events, and neighborhood farmers markets. This function is a critical piece of supporting economic development, artistic and cultural expression, first amendment rights, recreation, small businesses, and stronger connections with everyone who lives and works in, and visits, Seattle. I look forward to bringing my consensus building skills to find common ground to improve the quality of all these events, and broaden support for, and understanding of them, across government and the public.

Ultimately, the most important thing is carrying the good work of the OFM forward while addressing new issues and advancing new ideas generated by the film and music community. I look forward to doing this in partnership with the excellent and accomplished OFM staff and you.

There will be multiple celebrations of James and his incredible achievements and everyone will be invited. I look forward to celebrating with you.

Kate Becker