"Coraline" among the top grossing indie films of the decade

NY Film producer Ted Hope is one of the most prolific “tweeters” I know.  All of his tweets focus on either NYC or indie film.  Most of the indie film stuff is pretty insightful as Ted is well known as one of the top indie film producers in the U.S..  Anyway he posted the list of the top grossing indie films with the question – “What Do the Top Grossing Indie Films of the 2000s Reveal?”  I’m not sure I know the answer but I did notice LAIKA’s Oregon made “Coraline” made it in at #11. Continue reading... “"Coraline" among the top grossing indie films of the decade”

Security Expert Keeps Intruders Out and Secrets In for 'Leverage'

The Intern Report: How Oregon Businesses Profit From Local Productions

A short and sweet interview with Larry, owner and founder of KnightHawk Security and man of zen-like silence and mystery… Next week the fourth and final installment of this project will go live, thanks for reading!

Michal Orczyk

Oregon Governor’s Office of Film and Television Continue reading... “Security Expert Keeps Intruders Out and Secrets In for 'Leverage'”

Meek’s Cutoff Selected For Toronto Film Festival

Meek's Cutoff was shot entirely on location in the high desert in Burns, Oregon

The Toronto Film Festival has announced its 2010 lineup.  Among them is Kelly Reichardt’s “Meek’s Cutoff” as part of the Comtemporary World Cinema  Programme.

Kelly Reichardt directed the short films Ode (99), Then a Year (01) and Travis (04). Her feature films include River of Grass (94), Old Joy (06), which won a Tiger Award at the 2006 Rotterdam International Film Festival, Wendy and Lucy (08), which was named best film of 2008 by the Toronto Film Critics Association. Continue reading... “Meek’s Cutoff Selected For Toronto Film Festival”

The City of Portland "gets it"

I was sent this blog posting from Jennifer Yocom today and I have to give the city of Portland some props.  Not because Jennifer mentioned my name but because she crystalized the argument for supporting the film and video industry.  Thanks Jennifer and thank you to the city of Portland and the Portland Development Commission for all your help over the years.

For those of you who live outside Portland, I encourage you to engage with your local officials as well.  Continue reading... “The City of Portland "gets it"”

Like "The Simpsons" and Portland? – Bill Oakley is your guy on Twitter

As is the case when you do a little digging, it’s amazing how many talented writers, directors, actors, and other creative professionals living in Oregon slightly under the radar. A few months ago I met such a talented individual – Bill Oakley. Bill was the show runner for the sixth and seventh seasons of “The Simpsons” as well as many other credits and now he calls Portland his home.

Recently I picked up on Twitter that Bill has started up a Twitter account and I found several of the postings to be pretty funny. Continue reading... “Like "The Simpsons" and Portland? – Bill Oakley is your guy on Twitter”

That's a Wrap! La Grande Summer Film Project Concludes for 2010

The La Grande Summer Film Project has officially wrapped for 2010. The project drew over 75 participant this year as 8 teams battled through 48 hours in efforts to create 3-7 minute short films based on criteria given to them at the start of the project. 8 genres and 8 featured locations in La Grande, Oregon were used and the final films were screened outdoors on Depot Street next to Mt. Emily Ale House on Friday Night, August 20th. The event was packed and over 200 people witnessed the LGSFP 2010 premiere. Continue reading... “That's a Wrap! La Grande Summer Film Project Concludes for 2010”

Even Movie Stars Need a Two-by-Four

The Intern Report: How Oregon Businesses Profit From Local Productions

Hello, and welcome back for the second installment of the Intern Report! This week’s article takes us down to a hardware and lumber supplier in Southeast Portland for an interview with the Besaw brothers, Steve and Dave.

Michal Orczyk

Oregon Governor’s Office of Film and Television Continue reading... “Even Movie Stars Need a Two-by-Four”

Archaeology FestFilm Series at DIVA Center – Eugene

Eugene, OR. The DIVA Center is hosting the last two programs in a four part “Best Of” the Archaeology Channel International Film and Television Festival series this weekend.

August 13th. DIVA screens The Archaeology FestFilm Series Program C “Standing With Stones” at 7:30 PM. Admission: $6. Doors open at 7:00. Continue reading... “Archaeology FestFilm Series at DIVA Center – Eugene”

The Intern Report: Film Industry a Budding Market for Portland Florist

How Oregon Businesses Profit From Local Productions

Over the next few weeks, just as I wrap up my internship at the Governor’s Office of Film and Television, I’ll be delivering the fruits of my labor in this four-part series on the media industry’s effects on the local economy. Since late June I’ve been interviewing Oregon businesses that work with production companies to see how the presence of the film and media industry has affected the local economy. Florists, hardware store owners – these people might seem to have little connection to the film industry. Continue reading... “The Intern Report: Film Industry a Budding Market for Portland Florist”