On October 26th, local Portland-based filmmakers, the Brothers Freeman, commence principle photography on THE WEATHER OUTSIDE, the first of two feature films made back to back under the i-OPIF incentive program this fall from their production company Polluted Pictures.
Four filmmakers embarked on a doomed location scout in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. What started as a preliminary scout at the base of the cascades, ended in a bloodbath in the unforgiving wilderness. ‘Evidence of the Sasquatch’ is the film shot during this scouting by the filmmakers. This footage was found and the film was put together chronologically to show what these pour souls experienced in the days leading up to their final moments. This film shows the undeniable truth about the existence of the Sasquatch.Continue reading... “‘Evidence of the Sasquatch,’ to Screen October 27th, 2010”
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”, 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.
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”
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.
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”
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”
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”
Four filmmakers embarked on a doomed location scout in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. What started as a preliminary scout at the base of the cascades, ended in a bloodbath in the unforgiving wilderness. ‘Evidence of the Sasquatch’ is the film shot during this scouting by the filmmakers. This footage was found and the film was put together chronologically to show what these pour souls experienced in the days leading up to their final moments. This film shows the undeniable truth about the existence of the Sasquatch. 
Thursday, October 21
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 
