Who We Are and What We Do – Oregon Film – January 2025

Happy New Year everyone. As we often do, we’d like to give you some highlights from the past year as well as a small dose of “Looking Forward.”

For those of you who don’t know, Oregon Film, sometimes called the Oregon Film & Video Office (OFVO) other times called the Governor’s Office of Film & Television, is the oldest US state film commission that we know of. Founded in 1968 our mission is to develop, grow and support the film and media industry here in Oregon. Continue reading... “Who We Are and What We Do – Oregon Film – January 2025”

Gearhead Hosts New Classes

Gearhead Grip & Electric is hosting two new classes in November & December. Signup via the embedded Eventbrite links  below.

Intermediate Grip & Electric

This 6-week class is on Thursdays, starting Thursday NOV 7th until Thursday DEC 19, 6:00pm – 9:00pm. NO CLASS THANKSGIVING

In this course you will continue to develop your lighting and grip skills through lectures and hands-on workshops. Our experienced instructor will guide you through as you continue to develop techniques to feel confident on set. This class will go deeper into the specialized tools of the Grip and Electric departments. Continue reading... “Gearhead Hosts New Classes”

‘The Evergreen’: All about Oregon’s Animation Magic

OPB’s “Evergreen” podcast recently explored all about Oregon’s award-winning animation scene. Just think of “Coraline,” “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” and Will Vinton Studio’s California Raisins ad from 1986.

OPB’s Oregon Art Beat producer Eric Slade helped make a documentary about that state’s animation industry, and he’s here to break down how creators have established the state as a reigning animation powerhouse that’s influencing the art form’s legacy and future.

Listen to the episode here.

  Continue reading... “‘The Evergreen’: All about Oregon’s Animation Magic”

Outside the Frame Gala Screening – “Reel Ambitions” – Nov. 7

Come make a difference in our city

Reel Ambitions: Films by youth who have experienced homelessness

The November 7th celebration will feature our best work yet (again), which we couldn’t do without your support!

The lineup includes “American Teenager,” a slice of life drama about a girl living in a motel and “The Spot,” a comedy about young people crammed into their first apartment. Reel Ambitions will also premiere “My Shoes,” a music video by OTF alumnus Talilo Marfil featuring legendary indie rapper Tech N9ne. Continue reading... “Outside the Frame Gala Screening – “Reel Ambitions” – Nov. 7”

Lights. Camera. Portland!

Discover Portland: Where Your Creative Vision Comes to Life!

Welcome to Portland, the ultimate city for filmmakers and creatives, brimming with diverse, vibrant locations. From gritty urban landscapes to breathtaking forest scenes, every shot in Portland is a masterpiece in the making.

But here’s the real draw: Oregon offers a substantial 25% cash rebate on production expenses through Oregon Film, making your project not just creatively fulfilling but financially savvy, too! Get an additional cash payment of up to 26.2% of payroll wages for production personnel working in the state. Continue reading... “Lights. Camera. Portland!”

SOU’s Film School is a Rising Star, with Growing Ambitions

Andrew Gay, dean of the SOU School of Arts and Communications, talks about how the school’s Digital Cinema Department has grown to be one of the best in the country. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini

Ashland News recently did a great story on the Digital Cinema Program at Southern Oregon University after it was was recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as a Top Film School in the US and Canada.

Alongside big-name schools such as the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles, SOU was chosen for its hands-on education and networking opportunities with Film Southern Oregon and the Ashland Independent Film Festival. Continue reading... “SOU’s Film School is a Rising Star, with Growing Ambitions”

The Hollywood Commission Presents “Creating a Welcoming, Inclusive and Accessible Production”

The 2022-2023 Entertainment Industry Survey revealed that workers with a disability experience discrimination more than any other population of entertainment workers. They are twice as likely to report they “often” or “very often” experience bullying, bias, and sexually harassing behaviors, compared to workers without a disability.

This training from Disability Belongs, a diverse, disability-led nonprofit that works to create systemic change in how society views and values people with disabilities, will walk organizations through building an environment of inclusion. Trainers will discuss small, easy-to-implement disability inclusion initiatives that will make production workplaces accessible to millions of people with disabilities. Continue reading... “The Hollywood Commission Presents “Creating a Welcoming, Inclusive and Accessible Production””

Nina Oberlin – Featured Designer Of “Cat Usher” On Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail

 

Nina Oberlin

Nina Oberlin is the owner of Shadow Streak Productions, a freelance set builder, animator, puppeteer, puppet-maker, and the artist the Oregon Film Trail sponsored to design a unique cat on the LAIKA and Downtown Portlands’ Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail. Nina brings a talented, unique skill set to this project. We caught up with her while she was hand painting “Cat Usher”.

We asked Nina to tell us a little about herself; ” I live in Lafayette, Oregon, with my family.

Continue reading... “Nina Oberlin – Featured Designer Of “Cat Usher” On Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail”

Level Up: Filmmaker Career Advancement Toolkit Workshop

Join us and independent filmmaker Dawn Jones Redstone (www.dawnjonesredstone.com) for this fun and informative deep dive into what it takes to be an indie filmmaker in 2024. Space is limited so get your ticket today!

This introductory class will equip you with the knowledge you need to get your film out into the world, covering everything from project conception and funding to production and distribution, bios, pitch decks, websites and reels. Honing in on the power of intentional storytelling, we’ll focus on your personal values as an artist, taking risks, and fostering community connections. Continue reading... “Level Up: Filmmaker Career Advancement Toolkit Workshop”

Get Your Gear from CrocJaw

The Strength of CrocJaw

Founded by a Hollywood 30+ year veteran/inventor, Owen Stephens, SOC, CROCJAW company services Pacific northwest studios, commercials and independent film producers with Owen’s custom camera truck, and grip & lighting rentals.  These include his award winning soft-lighting systems and his very powerful and versatile Crocjaw clip invention.

Inventing by Necessity

An engineer from S Africa with a creative bent, Owen started his film career in the Motion Picture & TV industry at Pinewood Studios with Superman, and climbed the ranks to Gaffer and Director of Photography on a long list of feature films, music videos, and tv commercials, working alongside some of the top cinematographers in the world.  

Continue reading... “Get Your Gear from CrocJaw”