The Confluence

Open Signal’s 2nd annual music video make-a-thon will be hosted on Saturday June 18th, and will honor Juneteenth celebrations by making music videos for Black Portland-based musicians. Spots are limited to 24 Open Signal Members and the registration deadline is May 23rd.  Filmmakers will work together to come up with concepts, storyboard, shooting, and editing all within the 6 hour time limit and Open Signal will host a screening that night to view the music videos. Check out Open Signal’s website for more information about the event here.

The Portland Film Office, in partnership with Travel Portland, has announced the recipients of its 2022 Portland Post-Production Grant Program. Selected from a pool of  23 applicants, four local filmmakers will receive $7,500 each for their respective projects.

The grant program is intended to support the professional development of local Portland filmmakers by providing funds for such activities as sound, picture editing, color matching, color grading, closed caption, tech specs for distributors, and music clearances using local post-production houses.

Grants encourage the completion of a local feature-length film and position local producers to build toward larger, more resourced productions. Past recipients of the Post-Production Grant have included Sophie Jones and Clementine, both picked up by Oscilloscope Studios for world-wide theatrical release and streaming services.

Thalia Martinez, manager of the Portland Film Office, said, “We were inspired  by the work of so many talented filmmakers this year and the creativity and diversity they represent both on and off the screen. The Portland film industry is fortunate to have such an incredible array of local talent.”

Participation in this training is the first step towards securing PA opportunities via the Oregon Media Pathways Program, which helps place folks from underrepresented communities in paid positions on set. If you’re looking for training and access to paid opportunities as a production assistant, head over to the link in bio to apply! Priority will be given to BIPOC and marginalized folks.

#otfpdx

The Historic Jefferson County Courthouse and Jail in Madras, OR has now been restored and is ready for you to film your next project there. Today, the 6,500-square-foot courthouse features offices on the first floor for a property management company and two law firms. The second floor, which was used for trials and still has its original jury chairs, is open for events like weddings and anniversaries. Outside the courthouse has a landscaped lawn and a gazebo. The current owner is even open to renting out their classic cars. Check out the listing on the Oregon Film’s locations database here.

Moviegoing is back. And Portland’s independent filmmakers are telling stories that many audiences—particularly white ones—have never seen before, including what it’s like to be a Black woman hiking with chronic pain or a Pakistani couple on a date at a McDonald’s.

Willamette Week profiles the storytellers and stories from a dynamic group of emerging local filmmakers.

We are excited to introduce you to our new and improved platform that will help us come together as a community, share information and shape the future of the industry. Creators welcome.

▷Check It Out Now!

NEW AND IMPROVED DIRECTORY.
Take advantage of expanded categories, new search filters, links to social, banner images, favorites list and links to your work.

A TOOL TO PROMOTE OREGON.
The OMPA website and its Directory showcase all Oregon has to offer the world. Help demonstrate the depth and breadth of talent and resources here by being part of this promotional tool and ensuring it’s up to date.

TOTALLY FREE OR UPGRADE.
You can have a free account and can maintain your listing in one category for free. Upgrade to OMPA membership and you can list in more categories, add images and links to your work, rank higher in search results, access the jobs board and more.

CELEBRATE AND MAKE CONNECTIONS.
OMPA invites you to come celebrate with us at our Website Launch Parties! Join us in person to reconnect with your peers and meet new folks while celebrating the new website! There will be fun activities, beverages and bites. Our Website Launch Party is one event, two days apart and in two locations!

Website Launch Party in Portland | May 6th | 5-8pm | Koerner Camera
Cameras and Cocktails in Southern Oregon | May 4th | 7-9pm | EdenVale Winery

Oregon plays Washington in this first installment of the Twilight saga coming on June 6 as part of the #OregonMade Film Series at The Hollywood Theatre.

St. Helens, Silver Falls SP and Ecola SP double for the Washington forests and coastline around Forks. It’s been about 15 years since the couple that recently caught accolades for playing Princess Di and The Batman came to our state to lay the ground work for that difficult choice between Team Edward and Team Jacob. And just to be authentic – it’s on 35mm print. Come experience the magic because when the saga moved to British Columbia it lost all of its…well…magic.

Get your tickets here.

The 2022 Sustainability Labs applications are now open. This NEA funded program is in its second year and seeks to place focus on mid-career artists and creative makers themselves, rather than a specific project. Creative story-telling field can be a difficult one to continually navigate without fears of burn out and feeling overwhelmed. These labs were created for that very purpose, to give makers an edge as they move forward in their career, by being able to pitch themselves while expanding their talents to a multitude of creative pathways.

Over the course of one week in October, five fellows will work with mentors and a life coach on developing future goals for personal, professional, and financial growth based upon their creative aspirations. In addition, fellows will be treated to guest speakers and presentations from a number of successful industry professionals and leaders. After the final week, the fellows will continue to work with their mentors over the course of 5 months culminating in a presentation to the public and for a select group of respected individuals at the Cinema Unbound Awards in March of the following year.

The 2021 fellows were made up of artists from New York, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C. and Oregon working in Documentary, Narrative, Television, Immersive, and Animation. This program is seeking out mid-career makers working in these mediums, plus Podcasting, Gaming, VR, AR, etc.

Find out more here.

‘The College Girl’ was shot in 2015 and finally premiered on Amazon Prime on April 20th, 2022. Described stylistically as Jim Jarmusch meets Kevin Smith, this deadpan satire follows an innocent young girl from farm country who moves to the big city to pursue her dreams. But as time goes on, she finds that her expectations might be out of touch with cold, hard reality.

“Awkward friendships, awkward relationships, awkward classes, awkward calls to mom and dad, lame parties, nightmare internships, and—gasp—taking the bus are just a few of the rites of passage Jane faces with a weary and aloof resolve.” – Matt Wild, Milwaukee Record

“The cast proves to be one of The College Girl’s strengths, as Salimes coaxes performances that are unusually fluid and natural for a low-budget film—presumably produced on a tight schedule with limited opportunities for rehearsal or retakes. Filmed in black and white with an eye for cinematic detail and composition, The College Girl’s plot advances sluggishly, yet it’s a sweet and funny story about a small-town girl coming of age on campus in a big city. The dialogue rings true.” – David Luhrssen, Shepherd Express

The film can be streamed or purchased here.

Documentary filmmakers so often find themselves working in isolation, away from larger centers of filmmaking — Oregon Documentary Camp seeks to create an environment for learning, connecting, and support for filmmakers wherever they are. Doc Camp includes workshops, panel discussions, film screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and the chance to share stories with other filmmakers.

Doc Camp is crafted for working media professionals, ideally, those who have experience completing a documentary feature or short. Due to the pandemic, this year we’re offering both online and in-person programming.

Find out more here.

• Doc Camp Online – 1-day online event
• Doc Camp Nights – 3 in-person evening events in Portland, OR
• Doc Camp Lab – A 3-day in-person event for 24 filmmakers in Portland, OR
  • Includes access to both Doc Camp Online and Doc Camp Night