Gus Van Sant’s "Restless" Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7bHEuN8ulU&w=600&h=340

Restless, starring Mia Wasikowska (Alice In Wonderland) and Henry Hopper (Dennis Hopper’s son), is set in Portland and shot on location in the greater metro late last year.  Written by  Jason Lew (The Experiment) and directed by Portland native, Gus Van Sant (Milk, Good Will Hunting, Finding Forrester) is set to be released January 2011. Continue reading... “Gus Van Sant’s "Restless" Trailer”

The Mountain Crumbles at Salem Film Festival 2010

tmcposter

“The Mountain Crumbles”, a feature drama by Portland/New York based director Matt Jay, will see it’s home state premiere this sunday, October 17th, at the 2010 Salem Film Festival.

The film tracks the events of a weekend camping trip between two brothers who appear to have grown apart over the years. The already fragile relationship receives it’s real test when the brothers meet and are joined by a mysterious young woman, whose presence changes the dynamic of the trip.

“The Mountain Crumbles” was shot entirely on Mount Hood, and features a cast and crew of young Northwest based or originating talent. Continue reading... “The Mountain Crumbles at Salem Film Festival 2010”

Town Hall: A Film & TV Political Party

Ye Olde OMPA, One Man One DrinkThursday, October 21

@Large Films
807 NE Couch Street
Portland, OR

Hosted By OMPA

6:00 pm Doors
7:00 pm Presentation

Oregon’s commercial, film and TV workforce development programs are due to “sunset” on January 1, 2012 unless they are renewed by the 2011 state legislature. The candidates running for your state House and Senate seats today will be making difficult budget decisions for the state, and will decide which tax credits are renewed, including the Oregon Production Investment Fund and the equally important Greenlight Oregon Labor rebate. Continue reading... “Town Hall: A Film & TV Political Party”

"Breaking Bad" Actor Talks of His Film in Oregon

RJ Mitte who plays the son in the AMC series “Breaking Bad” appeared on KATU’s AM Northwest yesterday morning.  Here’s the link to the piece. RJ is in town filming “House of Last Things” which is being directed by Michael Bartlett.  “House of Last Things” was the third film to apply for the new iOPIF program.

Between KATU’s piece on RJ and KOIN’s piece on Lauren Henry, it’s been a media flury this week for Film and Video projects in Oregon! Continue reading... “"Breaking Bad" Actor Talks of His Film in Oregon”

"Meeks Cutoff" gets distribution

So I was doing the Oregon Film rounds Friday night (very rare for me).  I first stopped by OMPA’s “Oregon’s Got Talent” event which was literally packed with talent.  Then I headed over to a wrap party at the North Portland Chopsticks – equally fully with creative talent.  At the party I heard producer Neil Kopp was at the bar celebrating the news that “Meeks Cutoff” got a distribution deal with Oscilloscope Laboratories.  I went looking for Neil before my curfiew of 11:00 but could not find him to congratulate him on the news.  Continue reading... “"Meeks Cutoff" gets distribution”

OpenLens Film Festival Calls for Entries

Eugene, Oregon. The Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts (DIVA Center) announces its Seventh Annual OpenLens Short Film/Video Competition call for entries.  The deadline for submissions is 5PM December 1st. Screening and awards will take place during the three-day OpenLens Festival event – January 28th, 29th, and 30th, 2011. Continue reading... “OpenLens Film Festival Calls for Entries”

Glowing review of "Meeks Cutoff" from Variety

Meeks Cutoff

Variety film critic Justin Chang gave a rave review of Kelly Reichardt’s film “Meeks Cutoff” last week in Variety.  He saw the film at the Venice film festival.  Among the things he praised were the locations credited to location scout Roger Faires.  How often does a location person get credit in a review? Here’s an excerpt from the review.

“Reichardt’s decision to shoot in the 1.33 aspect ratio enhances the docu-like feel and yields one majestic composition after another, the nearly square frame capturing the wide-openness of these harshly beautiful desert vistas (Roger Faires is credited for the film’s Oregon locations, which look utterly of the period). Continue reading... “Glowing review of "Meeks Cutoff" from Variety”

Filmmaker Michael Bartlett Begins Shooting "House of Last Things" in Portland, OR

Starring Actors from “True Blood” and “Breaking Bad” and Portland Area Actors

Portland, OR—September 9, 2010—On September 13th, award-winning Portland-based filmmaker Michael Bartlett commences principle photography on HOUSE OF LAST THINGS the supernatural thriller screenplay he wrote.  The film stars actors from “True Blood” and “Breaking Bad” as well as  Portland Area Actors.

The film, which will be lensed by veteran cinematographer Ken Kelsch, ASC (known for “Big Night” and his collaborations with Abel Ferrara including “Bad Lieutenant” and “The Funeral”) and shot entirely on location in Portland for five weeks, stars LINDSEY HAUN (“True Blood”), RJ MITTE (“Breaking Bad”), and BLAKE BERRIS (“Days of Our Lives”), as well as local actors Randy Schulman, and Diane Dalton in lead roles. Continue reading... “Filmmaker Michael Bartlett Begins Shooting "House of Last Things" in Portland, OR”

News of "Meeks Cutoff" premiere in Venice

Michelle Williams at Premeire courtesy of Wire Images

Shawn Levy from the Oregonian picked up on some stories about the premiere of the Oregon made film “Meeks Cutoff” at the Venice International Film Festival.  Here’s the article he wrote over the weekend.

As Shawn mentions in his article several positive reviews are already surfacing.  We were also able to find several other web stories about the premiere.  Here are a few links to more information on the film’s premiere.

Yahoo Movies

NY Times

AceShowbiz

The Guardian (England)

NPR

Huffington Post

OK so it didn’t hurt having Michelle Williams walk the red carpet with a new hair style but the general coverage of the film was very positive.  Continue reading... “News of "Meeks Cutoff" premiere in Venice”

"Coraline" among the top grossing indie films of the decade

NY Film producer Ted Hope is one of the most prolific “tweeters” I know.  All of his tweets focus on either NYC or indie film.  Most of the indie film stuff is pretty insightful as Ted is well known as one of the top indie film producers in the U.S..  Anyway he posted the list of the top grossing indie films with the question – “What Do the Top Grossing Indie Films of the 2000s Reveal?”  I’m not sure I know the answer but I did notice LAIKA’s Oregon made “Coraline” made it in at #11. Continue reading... “"Coraline" among the top grossing indie films of the decade”