BendFilm: Basecamp is a 3-day immersive, all-inclusive retreat for 40+ filmmakers that precedes the annual Bend Film Festival – a place where filmmakers gather to equip themselves with knowledge and skills before embarking on the challenging and rewarding process of creating films. It provides a foundational and preparatory experience, setting the stage for innovation and exploration in the art of filmmaking. It’s a one of a kind opportunity for next generation filmmakers to connect with industry professionals, workshop pitches with other filmmakers, and receive hands-on training and mentorship to advance their careers in today’s film industry.
Continue reading... “BendFilm’s Basecamp Opens for Applications May 1”
Trekking through the woods by her apartment in late March, Southern Oregon Digital Media student Kazsia Connelly reminisced about making a zombie short film a few years prior, using this very forest as a backdrop for the movie, which a classmate wrote and directed and Connelly starred in for a media production class in high school.
Connelly, 18, grew up in Willamina, Oregon, a small town of under 2,500, just minutes down the road from Grand Ronde. In January, she started at Southern Oregon University in Ashland and plans to pursue a degree in digital cinema. Continue reading... “OPB: SOU Student Looking to Advance Indigenous Representation in Film”

In partnership with Desert Island Studios and Keys, Beats, Bars, local Portland filmmakers Martin Vavra and Aileen Sheedy are teaching an eight-week beginning film class starting May 1, 2025.
The class, which is capped at 12 students, is aimed at those who are interested in making their own films but may not know where to start. The class is structured with both a lecture/discussion portion as well as hands-on practice with film equipment, and covered topics include script breakdowns and storyboards; camera, audio, and lighting gear; and working with actors. Continue reading... “Scholarships Available for Beginning Filmmaker Class”
Hi everyone! Jeff Rutherford here. After eight years in New York, I’m glad to be returning to my former home of Portland. I’m very excited to offer a series of workshops starting this March. The first workshop is SCREENWRITING.
Whether you’re an experienced writer, a movie lover, someone looking for a creative outlet, and/or truly anyone, I’ll be happy to have you in this workshop. I’ll meet you where you are, and I’ll do my best to guide you toward your goals and the best versions of your ideas. Continue reading... “New Screenwriting Workshops starting soon with Jeff Rutherford”
Are you looking to break into the film and media industry? Join Outside the Frame‘s upcoming PA Pathways training session. This one day, in-person training is intended to place underrepresented filmmakers into paid production assistant positions on professional commercial, motion picture and television sets. Applications are now open and must be submitted by January 27, 2025 to be considered.
The application can be found here.
This program is made possible, in part, by Oregon Film and the Creative Opportunity Program. Continue reading... “Oregon PA Pathways Training at Outside the Frame”
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 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”
Portland State University and award-winning Portland-based animation studio LAIKA — known for groundbreaking Oscar®-nominated animated feature films such as Coraline, ParaNorman and Kubo and the Two Strings — today announced an industry partnership to help develop and diversify the region’s creative workforce.
“This partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to nurture the creative talent that will enhance Portland’s vibrant arts and cultural landscape,” said PSU President Ann Cudd. “We believe diversity of thought and experience is the spark of creativity and innovation. Continue reading... “PSU & LAIKA Announce Partnership”
Desert Islands Studios presents a Level UP Workshop:
The World of Production Design
Saturday, October 26, 2024; 10:00am – 1:00pm
Desert Island Studios, 1316 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
Join Desert Islands Studios as they host another Level Up workshop about “The World of Production Design” with Erin Eskila.
This next Level Up will be hosted by experienced Production Designer and Art Director @erineskila, and this workshop will give participants interested in a career in the Art Department a practical overview of its structure, procedures, and priorities through production across the spectrum of filmmaking formats. Continue reading... “Level UP Workshop: The World of Production Design”
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”