Security Expert Keeps Intruders Out and Secrets In for 'Leverage'

The Intern Report: How Oregon Businesses Profit From Local Productions

A short and sweet interview with Larry, owner and founder of KnightHawk Security and man of zen-like silence and mystery… Next week the fourth and final installment of this project will go live, thanks for reading!

Michal Orczyk

Oregon Governor’s Office of Film and Television Continue reading... “Security Expert Keeps Intruders Out and Secrets In for 'Leverage'”

Meek’s Cutoff Selected For Toronto Film Festival

Meek's Cutoff was shot entirely on location in the high desert in Burns, Oregon

The Toronto Film Festival has announced its 2010 lineup.  Among them is Kelly Reichardt’s “Meek’s Cutoff” as part of the Comtemporary World Cinema  Programme.

Kelly Reichardt directed the short films Ode (99), Then a Year (01) and Travis (04). Her feature films include River of Grass (94), Old Joy (06), which won a Tiger Award at the 2006 Rotterdam International Film Festival, Wendy and Lucy (08), which was named best film of 2008 by the Toronto Film Critics Association. Continue reading... “Meek’s Cutoff Selected For Toronto Film Festival”

The City of Portland "gets it"

I was sent this blog posting from Jennifer Yocom today and I have to give the city of Portland some props.  Not because Jennifer mentioned my name but because she crystalized the argument for supporting the film and video industry.  Thanks Jennifer and thank you to the city of Portland and the Portland Development Commission for all your help over the years.

For those of you who live outside Portland, I encourage you to engage with your local officials as well.  Continue reading... “The City of Portland "gets it"”

Even Movie Stars Need a Two-by-Four

The Intern Report: How Oregon Businesses Profit From Local Productions

Hello, and welcome back for the second installment of the Intern Report! This week’s article takes us down to a hardware and lumber supplier in Southeast Portland for an interview with the Besaw brothers, Steve and Dave.

Michal Orczyk

Oregon Governor’s Office of Film and Television Continue reading... “Even Movie Stars Need a Two-by-Four”

The Intern Report: Film Industry a Budding Market for Portland Florist

How Oregon Businesses Profit From Local Productions

Over the next few weeks, just as I wrap up my internship at the Governor’s Office of Film and Television, I’ll be delivering the fruits of my labor in this four-part series on the media industry’s effects on the local economy. Since late June I’ve been interviewing Oregon businesses that work with production companies to see how the presence of the film and media industry has affected the local economy. Florists, hardware store owners – these people might seem to have little connection to the film industry. Continue reading... “The Intern Report: Film Industry a Budding Market for Portland Florist”

OPB's Think Out Loud, Fri. Aug. 13th:Oregon on Screen

What is Oregon’s on-screen image… and how are the TV and film industries faring here?

We’ve been reading lots of TV show news recently. The TNT show Leverage, which will wrap up shooting its third season on Friday, just announced it would be back in Oregon for a fourth season. Fans of the online series Thunderant will be happy to hear that it’s being turned into a new show all about Portland, debuting next year on the Independent Film Channel. Continue reading... “OPB's Think Out Loud, Fri. Aug. 13th:Oregon on Screen”

IFC Takes Comedy Journey to ‘Portlandia’

‘SNL’ vet Armisen co-created, co-stars in sketch series

IFC has given a greenlight to a Lorne Michaels-exec produced sketch comedy half-hour, “Portlandia,” co-created by and starring Fred Armisen of “Saturday Night Live.”

The series, which begins production of six episodes in Portland, Ore., this month, is scheduled to premiere on IFC in early 2011. Former Sleater-Kinney guitarist Carrie Brownstein co-created “Portlandia” with Armisen and co-stars in the series, which will be directed by fellow creator Jonathan Krisel of “SNL.” Continue reading... “IFC Takes Comedy Journey to ‘Portlandia’”

OREGON LENS Spotlights Northwest Independent Filmmakers

OPB Press Release:

Oregon Public Broadcasting brings indie-theater directly into your home over five nights in August as the work of some of the Pacific Northwest’s most talented independent producers is showcased on OREGON LENS August 16-20 at 10pm.

“We’ve some exceptional films in season 12,” said Steve Amen, executive producer and host of OREGON LENS. “Oregon is rising fast on the independent filmmaking scene. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching a course in filmmaking at PSU over the past couple of years, and I continue to be amazed by the talent in our community,” said Amen. Continue reading... “OREGON LENS Spotlights Northwest Independent Filmmakers”

"Meeks Cutoff" in Competition at the Venice Intl. Film Festival

The Venice International Film Festival announced that Kelly Reichardt’s feature “Meeks Cutoff” which was shot in Burns, OR, will be in competition at this year’s festival in September. The film was produced by Oregon native Neil Kopp and it is his third film with Kelly (“Old Joy” and “Wendy and Lucy“).  The film stars Michelle Williams, Bruce Greenwood, and Paul Dano.  Recently Paul Dano talked about filming “Meeks” in this interview.    For those who don’t know the story behind the making of the film, it’s pretty remarkable that they were even able to complete the film. Continue reading... “"Meeks Cutoff" in Competition at the Venice Intl. Film Festival”

"Stand by Me" 25th Anniversary Celebration July 24th

"Stand by Me"

Brownsville, Oregon is about to come alive with “Stand By Me” fans!

Twenty-five years ago, Rob Reiner and his crew came to Brownsville to make the movie Stand By Me.  On Saturday, July 24th, Brownsville will be celebrating the movie’s anniversary with an event that’s fun for all ages.

There will be an amateur pie eating contest (where contestants eat blueberry pie with both hands behind their backs); dancing with a live band playing 50’s music; an old car cruise in; a photo display of pictures taken behind the scenes in 1985 and lots of other things to do and see. Continue reading... “"Stand by Me" 25th Anniversary Celebration July 24th”