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”

SOU Digital Cinema Named as a Top Film School

It’s official: Southern Oregon University’s Digital Cinema program makes SOU one of the best film schools in North America. The current edition of MovieMaker magazine, which bills itself as the world’s most widely read independent film magazine, includes SOU among its picks for the “30 Best Film Schools in the U.S. & Canada.”

“When we launched the Digital Cinema program in fall 2019, one of our big aspirations was to become a nationally-ranked film school,” said Andrew Gay, a professor of Digital Cinema and director of SOU’s School of Arts & Communication. Continue reading... “SOU Digital Cinema Named as a Top Film School”

Wrapbook’s “On Production” Podcast Talks with Oregon Film’s Tim Williams

Oregon Film’s Executive Director Tim Williams recently connected with Matthew Smith at Wrapbook to talk about all things Oregon – production, crews, incentives, film trails, VFX, animation and our work to help make this state the best possible location for your next creative project.

For those of you who don’t know, Wrapbook is a one-stop-shop platform for your next production. Wrapbook centralizes production management: pay your crew, monitor spending, and synchronize your team—all in one platform.

Check out the entire interview here. Continue reading... “Wrapbook’s “On Production” Podcast Talks with Oregon Film’s Tim Williams”

Oregon Film – Who We Are and What We Do (June 2024 Update)

It’s that time of year again. Here’s an update on the work we’ve been doing.

Oregon Film, sometimes called the Oregon Film & Video Office 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.

That mission has pretty much remained the same for years but the things that we do and how we try to achieve them often change. Continue reading... “Oregon Film – Who We Are and What We Do (June 2024 Update)”

Open Signal Presents – Lights, Camera, Connection: Real to Reel

Join Open Signal for a day of collaboration and opportunity with Portland’s community of nonfiction media makers! Saturday, June 29, 11a-3p.

Lights, Camera, Connection: Real to Reel will showcase the collaborative spirit of Portland’s community of nonfiction media makers. Our city is full of independent production companies and freelance creators working in advocacy, broadcast, documentary, event, sports, journalism, and many other fields of content creation.

We invite you to mingle in community and explore the wide range of creative opportunities in nonfiction media, connect with local professionals, lay the groundwork for future partnerships, and launch your ideas. Continue reading... “Open Signal Presents – Lights, Camera, Connection: Real to Reel”

LAIKA is an Industry Trailblazer in the Pacific Northwest

The award-winning feature film studio based just outside of Portland, Oregon uses cutting-edge technology and innovative processes to create stop-motion animation in a way no other studios are. And the company’s culture — focused on DEI and growth opportunities — is driven by team members who share a passion for telling great stories.

“We have a collaborative culture and a great deal of diversity in terms of creative voices and ways of working across the studio,” said David Burke, LAIKA’s chief marketing and operations officer. Continue reading... “LAIKA is an Industry Trailblazer in the Pacific Northwest”