Grimm Doesn’t Just Look Green Because Of The Weather….

We could not have been happier when NBC Universal contacted us to collaborate on their greening efforts for the series, Grimm.  We immediately recognized this particular show as a good match and unique opportunity to put the foundation of our previous work in identifying green vendors and services to good use.

NBCUniversal’s Green Is Universal initiative has an admirable, on-going, corporate-wide environmental initiative that attempts to lessen their shows’ environmental impact by working with local resources and finding innovative ways to improve on their overall footprint. Continue reading... “Grimm Doesn’t Just Look Green Because Of The Weather….”

Success of Oregon’s Film and TV industry highlighted in Hollywood Reporter

Recently the media that covers the film and television industry has taken notice in all the work happening in the state.  In the web based trade “The Wrap”, a recent article about the state of the TV industry mentioned Portland as a city on the rise for TV production. We were also contacted by the Hollywood Reporter a month or so ago as they decided to do a feature on the TV work in the city.  Some of you may remember that they did a “Made in Oregon” feature a year and a half ago.  Continue reading... “Success of Oregon’s Film and TV industry highlighted in Hollywood Reporter”

Change in Mileage Rates

The Internal Revenue Service is revising the optional standard mileage rates for computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, medical, or moving expense purposes and for determining the reimbursed amount of these expenses that is deemed substantiated. This modification results from recent increases in the price of fuel.

The revised standard mileage rates are:

(1) Business 55.5 cents per mile

(2) Medical and moving 23.5 cents per mile

The mileage rate that applies to the deduction for charitable contributions is fixed under § 170(i) of the Internal Revenue Code at 14 cents per mile. Continue reading... “Change in Mileage Rates”

Commercial Production Brings Value to the Community, the Environment and the Local Economy at the Same Time

Not uncommonly, we just had a major US retailer shoot a commercial here in Oregon but this one was different, they did it with a sustainable mandate that came from the client’s corporate office.  The greening company, EcoSet was hired to oversee the process.  EcoSet operate as an  “environmental production resource committed to implementing customized, practical, and sustainable environmental solutions for commercial productions”.   A relatively new breed of environmentalists are finding a way to green commercial and feature productions in creative and resourceful ways by plugging into what communities already offer. Continue reading... “Commercial Production Brings Value to the Community, the Environment and the Local Economy at the Same Time”

Wait, That Was Done In Oregon?

If you’ve ever watched IFC then you’ve seen their signature quirky-cool ad campaign. But did you know that it was designed and created by Oregon-based Feel Good Anyway? Or that the 40+ special effects in the NBC movie “A Walk in My Shoes” were done by Portland’s visual effects company Hive-FX? Or if you’ve been to Canada lately and seen Koodo Mobile’s adorable spokesman El Tabador, that he was produced by Bent Image Labs based in – you guessed it – Oregon? Continue reading... “Wait, That Was Done In Oregon?”

“Commercially Speaking . . .”

Most of the attention of late has focused on feature films and the renewal of the production incentives. The press loves to write about the “Leverages,” the “Grimms,” the “Gones” and the “Portlandias’ because they bring recognizable star talent to Portland.  And because they have a mystique about them; they are, for all intents and purposes, “the movies,” “Hollywood.” But we don’t want to loose sight of that portion of the production world that has provided a reasonably steady stream of work for local crew and local vendors; the COMMERCIAL. Continue reading... ““Commercially Speaking . . .””

Oregon Animation: Call for Submissions

UPDATE: Deadline extended to 5 PM on Monday, May 23th 2011!

Following the successful effort to create a voice for the Oregon Film and Television community in this blog, we recently convened a group of Oregon animation and visual effects professionals that we know, and asked them how a site dedicated to their segment of the industry might be received. After lots of lively conversation and great ideas, it became clear that there was great interest, and that it would be very helpful for drawing attention to the fact that Oregon has more than just great locations, amazing acting and crew talent, and not to mention, a terrific film incentive program. Continue reading... “Oregon Animation: Call for Submissions”

Two Spots Left for HD/Film Makeup Workshops

Aspiring artsists learn the latest HD/film techniques through hands-on instruction that utilizes live models and HD cameras and monitors.

There are two slots remaining for Colour Box Makeup Studios’ upcoming HD/Film makeup workshops in Portland.

The five-day Makeup Artist Boot Camp and one-day Airbrush Seminar, scheduled for June 1-6, are limited to 12 aspiring artists, all of whom will be trained by award-winning celebrity/film/television makeup artist Kerry Herta. Each artist will receive hands-on training using live models and have their work analyzed using HD cameras and monitors. Continue reading... “Two Spots Left for HD/Film Makeup Workshops”

Earth Day April 22nd – Call for Green Vendors for Searchable Database

The Film Office has recently been working with the Producers Guild of America by adding to an on-line searchable database of green vendors for production in Oregon.   As Earth Day approaches on April 22nd, you might consider joining the “A Billion Acts Green®” by  suggesting a green vendor, to add to this database. There is no charge for these listing and the more there are, the more opportunities productions have to make green choices. Continue reading... “Earth Day April 22nd – Call for Green Vendors for Searchable Database”

Colour Box Announces HD/Film Makeup Workshops in Portland

Colour Box Makeup Studios founder Kerry Herta returns to the Northwest to teach aspiring makeup artists the latest techniques used in the entertainment and beauty industries.

Following successful workshops in Seattle over the last two years, Herta’s workshops – the five-day Makeup Artist Boot Camp and one-day Airbrush Seminar – come to Portland June 1-6. The exclusive workshops are limited to 12 aspiring artists, all of whom will be trained by Herta and complete assignments using live models and industry-leading products and equipment. Continue reading... “Colour Box Announces HD/Film Makeup Workshops in Portland”