Media Bias? Creator Bias?: “Free Willy”

On the Surface: “Free Willy”

The Mere Exposure Effect Workshop
Media Bias? Biased Creators.

It’s great to watch movies set in your hometown.  For many of us, Free Willy is a childhood favorite. This Sept. 22nd, when attending the #OregonMade film event, pay close attention to the implicit biases that show up in this film. The last time I watched “Free Willy” two scenes left me shaking my head in disbelief.  How had I not noticed these scenes before?  Today, it’s my job to turn a critical eye toward all media and unpack biases. Continue reading... “Media Bias? Creator Bias?: “Free Willy””

PassinArt Theatre: Pacific Northwest Multi Cultural Readers Series & Film Festival

PassinArt Theatre is having their second biennial Pacific Northwest Multicultural Readers Series & Film Festival Thursday – Sunday, August 17-20, 2023 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Portland, Oregon.

The festival will be a jam-packed, four-day whirlwind of wall-to-wall readings, screenings, masterclasses and panel discussions addressing the issues of the day as they shape theaters of color, television, and film.

In attendance, we will have celebrity co-hosts Javon Johnson [The Oval, Boo! Madea Halloween] and Bobby Yan
[Stalker, K Love] welcome industry luminaries including Regina Taylor [I’ll Fly Away, CSI Vegas, Justified]; Rose Bianco [Cobra Kai, East New York, Minx]; Rhavynn Drummer [Tyler Perry/national casting director]; Ted Lange [The Love Boat]; Stephanie Frederic [film/tv producer Girls’ Trip, All Eyez on Me, Night School, American Gangster]; Professor Vera J. Continue reading... “PassinArt Theatre: Pacific Northwest Multi Cultural Readers Series & Film Festival”

Mt Angel Theater Studio & TUNE TOURS

Seasoned photographer and musician, Jon Deshler has taken over the Mt Angel Theater & Studio. A unique 3000 sq ft space in a special town, built out by a novel local, his friend – Stu Rasmussen. Deshler once owned and worked out of what is now the Coopers Hall in SE Portland and has for a time been working just outside of the Portland metro area south of Oregon City in the beautiful countryside of the north Willamette Valley. Having collaborated with Rasmussen over the last twelve years on myriad projects, the two became friends and supporters of each others endeavors. Continue reading... “Mt Angel Theater Studio & TUNE TOURS”

Why indie films need creative marketing

Show biz on an indie budget takes creative marketing.

Official Poster

This summer, Willamette Week, Portland’s Pulitzer-winning paper of a juicy half-of-a-million readers, reviewed a press release from Hapstance Films, and look what happened — an engaging full-paged story in last week’s issue. Check it out here. Continue reading... “Why indie films need creative marketing”

HouseSpecial signs Director John Robson

May 20, 2019 PORTLAND, ORE – Animation studio HouseSpecial has signed Director John Robson to its in-House director roster. Robson brings a digitally-rich portfolio that includes the Vimeo Staff Pick CG short Quality Time and memorable content for brands including Xbox One X, Nike, IBM, Apple, Gnarls Barkley and Campbell’s Soup. A Southern California native, Robson refined his accomplished narrative sensibilities in Los Angeles at studios such as Blind, ManvsMachine, Brand New School and Motion Theory.

Robson is also the founder of Late Lunch Inc, a studio specializing in live action and post production, including 3D animation, conceptual design, compositing and virtual reality. Continue reading... “HouseSpecial signs Director John Robson”

October 26 Is The Last Chance To Register For The National Arts Marketing Project Conference

2018 National Arts Marketing Project Conference
November 9-12
Seattle, WA

This November 9-12, the National Arts Marketing Project Conference is coming back to Pacific Northwest for the first time in 5 years! More than 600 arts marketers from across the country will meet in Seattle to explore the latest in storytelling, cultural equity, immersive technology, revenue generation and more.

30 inspiring and challenging sessions, 3 must-attend keynotes, leading marketing experts and the best arts marketers from across country – the only thing missing is you! Continue reading... “October 26 Is The Last Chance To Register For The National Arts Marketing Project Conference”

Cole Haan Introduces ZERØGRAND With Stitchlite™ Wool & Partners With HouseSpecial To Bring The Idea To Life

Let's get Wooly for Cole Haan

September 25, 2018 – Cole Haan, the innovative American lifestyle brand and retailer, releases ZERØGRAND with Stitchlite™ Wool — the newest style transforming the familiar to extraordinary this Fall.

Watch the spot here.

Cole Haan continues to push boundaries with ZERØGRAND with Stitchlite™ Wool, the next iteration of ZERØGRAND footwear for men and women. Like a sweater for your feet, the ZERØGRAND with Stitchlite™ Wool was designed to keep feet dry and warm throughout the colder months, making it the ultimate thermal, breathable and flexible shoe that will last all season long. Continue reading... “Cole Haan Introduces ZERØGRAND With Stitchlite™ Wool & Partners With HouseSpecial To Bring The Idea To Life”

HouseSpecial and Wieden + Kennedy Create A New Tourism Campaign For Travel Portland

Portland’s creative agency, Wieden + Kennedy, and  pioneering animation studio, HouseSpecial, have together created an interactive tourism campaign that is currently traveling the country, along with their (slightly) larger-than-life “Portlanders!”

The collection of statues will be touring selected cities around the US.  The public can peek into the back of their heads to view a VR-like experience of animated shorts that portray a whimisical Portland.

Working with Travel Portland, Wieden + Kennedy was the creative agency behind this eclectic campaign while HouseSpecial designed the charcters and animation shorts (see the shorts here.) Continue reading... “HouseSpecial and Wieden + Kennedy Create A New Tourism Campaign For Travel Portland”

#OregonMade Kamp Grizzly Gets AdWeek Shout Out

AdWeek gave a well-deserved shout out to Kamp Grizzly this week, calling them the agency that makes “disruption a part of every creative brief.” Kamp Grizzly is a “a full-service immersive studio” based in Portland and New York, that places film production at the core of their work.

  Continue reading... “#OregonMade Kamp Grizzly Gets AdWeek Shout Out”