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”
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”
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 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””
10 years – 20 youth workshops – 26 films – it’s time to celebrate! Please join POWGirls for the premiere of their Summer 2024 films and a retrospective of their films from the past ten years!
🎬✨ Doors open at 1:15 PM—come early to grab a seat, snack, and a drink from the concession stand, and check out our supporter tables! 🍿🥤 The screening kicks off at 2:00 PM, followed by a Q&A with the amazing POWGirls, both past and present! Continue reading... “POWGirls 10th Anniversary Celebration”
Four panelists RaShaunda Brooks, Miró Merrill, Cassandra Nicholson, and Amy Polansky will discuss how to create compelling pitch decks and successful presentations on “The Art of the Pitch” a panel being hosted by Women in Film PDX.
There will be free giveaways and a community mixer that’s sure to make an eventful night. This event is open to all gender identities, backgrounds and experience levels.
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”
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.”
The Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation, and Technology (PFCAT) announced that its 2024 event will be held at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) from August 21 to August 25 and will include screenings, panel discussions, parties, and special events in the Empirical Theater, Theory, the Kendall Planetarium, and OMSI’s auditorium.
This year’s festival includes screenings of over 120 films by visionary filmmakers, including over a dozen Portland-based filmmakers and animators. Innovation will also be displayed in the screening methods utilized at the festival. Continue reading... “PFCAT Returns To OMSI August 21st Through 25th”
Tuesday was the first day of production for an independent film being shot in southern Oregon.
Described as “Driving Miss Daisy” meets “Reservoir Dogs,” the 75-minute feature film, “The Plan” follows an Uber ride from Sacramento to Josephine County with unexpected consequences.
The film, directed by Brad Douglas, will be shot entirely in southern Oregon and features Los Angeles Comedian and Actor Henry Coleman, local Actress Marlyn Mason, and Oscar winning Special Effects Artist Jeff Dawn.
The producer, Ray Robison talks about why the film is being shot in southern Oregon, “the time is right, to get this done, and this is the right place to do it because there are so many talented people around here.” Continue reading... ““The Plan” Begins Production in Southern Oregon”
Desert Islands Studios presents a Level UP Workshop:
Come make a difference in our city
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.
10 years – 20 youth workshops – 26 films – it’s time to celebrate! Please join POWGirls for the premiere of their Summer 2024 films and a retrospective of their films from the past ten years!
Four panelists RaShaunda Brooks, Miró Merrill, Cassandra Nicholson, and Amy Polansky will discuss how to create compelling pitch decks and successful presentations on “The Art of the Pitch” a panel being hosted by 
Join us and independent filmmaker Dawn Jones Redstone (
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.”
Tuesday was the first day of production for an independent film being shot in southern Oregon.