“So, Why Make Movies in Rural Oregon? And Why La Grande?”
It’s a perfectly fair question for H. Nelson Tracey, whose directorial debut Breakup Season was shot entirely in La Grande, Oregon. Especially considering Nelson’s background: he’s from Denver, Colorado, and has lived in Los Angeles since graduating college.
“I was going to find a way to direct my first feature one way or another. It’s so hard to make a movie to begin with, and I was looking everywhere for pathways to plausibility. Continue reading... “Case Study: Making Indie Movies in Oregon”
The locally produced feature film “A Simple Machine” will premiere at the Lighthouse International Film Festival on June 7. The film tells the story of Nick, an indecisive young man, who, in order to get out of debt, makes a series of radically frugal lifestyle choices without telling his girlfriend that he will be homeless and living off the grid.
Written and directed by Mark Alan Hoffman and starring Richard Blackmon, Gabriela Quezada and Brad Carter the film was shot in Portland. Continue reading... “#OregonMade “A Simple Machine” to Premiere June 7”
The #OregonMade feature film “Outdoor School” will premiere at the American Black Film Festival in Miami on June 11. Portland’ Ime Etuk’s feature loosely based on Vin Shambery’s experiences features local cast, crew and locations.
A tree can be a home and a forest can be a school, but raised in the wilds of 90’s Portland, Vin must first learn to be a child. A transformative true story about the search for shelter and the power of being seen.
Find out more here. Continue reading... “#OregonMade “Outdoor School” to Premiere at American Black FF”
Eastern Oregon Film Festival (EOFF) is thrilled to announce the first ‘Trippers’ of its new Filmmaker Field Trips program’, a unique initiative designed to support independent filmmakers by providing them with direct access to the stunning landscapes and vibrant communities of Eastern Oregon.
The inaugural Field Trip, taking place from June 23-30, 2025, will welcome director Zach Green and writer Devin O’Rourke, the creative duo behind the feature film project “Bad Day for Bigfoot.” The two filmmakers, who previously wowed audiences with their sci-fi buddy comedy “FOIL” at #EOFF2023, are returning to Eastern Oregon to scout locations, connect with the local community, and immerse themselves in the region’s unique atmosphere as they prepare to bring their latest project to life. Continue reading... “EOFF Filmmaker Field Trips Program with “Bad Day for Bigfoot””
There’s something very special about the creative community here in Oregon. You can see it in everything we do. Because of that, we recently partnered with CineRent West and director Devin Boss to create “Make it Here,” a short film that shows the talent, landscapes, passion and joy that creating work in our state entails.
You can see it in the people, you can see it in the places and you can see it in the product – Oregon is a special place and if you come here to make your next creative project, you’ll want to come back. Continue reading... ““Make it Here” – Bring Your Next Creative Production to Oregon”
Central Oregon Daily News’ “Destination Oregon” recently traveled to Salem to highlight the 50th anniversary of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” The film that won five Academy Awards was set at Oregon State Hospital in Salem.
Author Ken Kesey’s book about the institutional overreach and the dehumanization of the mentally ill was kryptonite to many mental institutions who did not want to be associated with this controversial cultural issue. So when Hollywood came looking for a place to make the movie, there were no takers. Continue reading... “Destination Oregon Hightlights “Cuckoo’s Nest” 50th Anniversary”
The Motion Picture Association highlighted the Oregon Film Trail with a well rounded interview with SetJetters. Appearing in The Credits section of their website and MPA and SJ highlight the power of Film Tourism and just some of the ways that Oregon Fil has led the way in qualifying that power into economic spending.
If you haven’t seen it yet, please check out the animated graphic we’ve done with our partners at SJ illustrating how Film Tourism impacts the Oregon economy. Continue reading... “Motion Picture Association Highlights the OFT”
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”
Oregon has been Hollywood’s backlot when it comes to movies and television projects. That includes Central Oregon — “Rooster Cogburn,” “The Postman and “Wild,” to name a few. Central Oregon Daily‘s “Destination Oregon” took a trip on the Oregon Film Trail. Visiting sites where movies and television shows were filmed is a huge tourism industry called Set Jetting.
“Right now, we believe it’s about $151 million a year that’s coming into Oregon through film set jetting,” said Tim Williams, the executive director of the Oregon Film Office. Continue reading... “Destination Oregon: The Oregon Film Trail”
Portland and Oregon are surprisingly popular locations to film in: There’ve been over 700 films and TV shows shot in our region! City Cast talked with Katie Rasmussen, a location manager who’s worked with big-budget movies and TV shows like “Grimm” and the upcoming Amazon Prime series “Criminal.” She’s discussing how the places we all know and love get translated onto the big screen, and why Oregon often has the favored locations for some darker-themed films and TV shows.
Listen here. Continue reading... “City Cast Portland: What Hollywood Wants From Portland, According to a Location Manager”
“So, Why Make Movies in Rural Oregon? And Why La Grande?”
The locally produced feature film “
The #OregonMade feature film “Outdoor School” will premiere at the American Black Film Festival in Miami on June 11. Portland’ Ime Etuk’s feature loosely based on Vin Shambery’s experiences features local cast, crew and locations.
Eastern Oregon Film Festival (EOFF) is thrilled to announce the first ‘Trippers’ of its new Filmmaker Field Trips program’, a unique initiative designed to support independent filmmakers by providing them with direct access to the stunning landscapes and vibrant communities of Eastern Oregon.
There’s something very special about the creative community here in Oregon. You can see it in everything we do. Because of that, we recently partnered with 
The 
and just some of the ways that Oregon Fil has led the way in qualifying that power into economic spending.
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.
Oregon has been Hollywood’s backlot when it comes to movies and television projects. That includes Central Oregon — “Rooster Cogburn,” “The Postman and “Wild,” to name a few. 
Portland and Oregon are surprisingly popular locations to film in: There’ve been over 700 films and TV shows shot in our region! City Cast talked with Katie Rasmussen, a location manager who’s worked with big-budget movies and TV shows like “Grimm” and the upcoming Amazon Prime series “Criminal.” She’s discussing how the places we all know and love get translated onto the big screen, and why Oregon often has the favored locations for some darker-themed films and TV shows.