Phrenic, my futuristic thriller made in Portland, premiered in the App Store this week. Not in a theater. Not on YouTube. In the same App Store where you go to download Temple Run or Angry Birds.
I began thinking about creating a story for mobile devices last year when I realized I was watching fewer feature films but binge-viewing full seasons of compelling TV shows. What if I could make a miniature version of this experience? Smaller in terms of budget and scale, but also shorter episodes that could be watched on the bus or–let’s face it–in the bathroom. Continue reading... “Phrenic: A Futuristic Thriller for Mobile”
The first screening of its kind — “Arc” is a theatrical program dedicated to the art, creativity and complexity of animated infographics. As its name suggests, the screening lies at the confluence of storytelling and data visualizations — an intersection that will be appeal to interaction designers, journalists, writers, researchers, number-junkies and analysts.
It’s that time again. The Portland area Visual Effects & Animation user group, VFX/PDX, has their winter meeting on tap, and it will surely heat up an otherwise chilly Monday night.
Lead Compositor James Chick of Hive-FX will be showing in-depth breakdowns of their work on the series Grimm, as well as other projects from a very hopping 2012. James is a talented Compositor who’s weapon of choice is Adobe After Effects, and recently he’s been funneling his free time and filmmaking skills into an impressive run of short films, which should make his presentation one not to miss. Continue reading... “Next VFX/PDX Meeting – Monday February 11th”
In Oregon we are blessed to have people who know how to tell stories. Storytelling has always been a part of Oregon’s DNA. We have great novelists, great song-writers, and great filmmakers. We also have great innovative storytellers. One such group of innovative storytellers is Second Story Interactive Studios. Founded in 1994 by Julie Beeler and Brad Johnson, Second Story is thought of as one of the leaders in the interactive industry, collecting over 400 awards and accolades.
Governor Kitzhaber presents the Award for Innovation in Media Arts to Second Story Interactive Studios (photo: Frank DiMarco)
Ashland, Ore.—The Ashland Independent Film Festival (AIFF) today announced a multi-part transmedia showcase to be unveiled as part of the 12th annual festival, April 4 – 8, 2013 in Ashland. Created to showcase new forms of digital and interactive storytelling, the program has been developed in collaboration with Southern Oregon University’s Emerging Media and Digital Arts (EMDA) program, and is sponsored by the Governor’s Office of Film and Television, Project A, the Portland Incubator Experiment (P.I.E.), and Second Story Interactive Studios. Continue reading... “Ashland Independent Film Festival announces eMerge Transmedia Showcase for the 2013 Festival”
Portland produced “Appisode” “The Digits” recently was nominated as Best Educational Web Series by the International Academy of Web Television. The IAWTV is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of web television. The award ceremony will be in Las Vegas during the International Consumer Electronic Show January 8. Congrats to creator Scotti Iseri and his entire team on the nomination and best of luck in January! Don’t know about “The Digits”? See below their most recent media release. Continue reading... ““The Digits” Nominated for Best Educational Web Series by IAWTV”
Airing this Friday, October 26, 2012 7pm/6pm central on Hallmark Channel …
Bent Image Lab and Hallmark have joined forces once again this time to produce the 2D animated comedy “hoops&yoyo’s Haunted Halloween”. Based off of the popular Hallmark e- card characters, the “hoops&yoyo” TV Special was directed by Bent’s Rob Shaw and features the hilarious pink cat and green bunny getting trapped in a haunted mall on Halloween night. 
This October, the McKenzie River Trust invites you to enjoy a weekend of films and events that focus a lens on the amazing landscapes of Oregon, and beyond. These films cast a whole new light on the rivers in our own backyards, exploring and celebrating our relationship to the lands and rivers that surround us.
Opening Night – Meet the Filmmakers
Friday, October 12 at 6 pm
Wildish Theater in downtown Springfield, Or
The McKenzie River Trust will host an intimate evening with some of the Living River Festival filmmakers, a sneak peek at the new documentary film Willamette Futures (currently in production), and a catered reception by Heidi Tunnell Catering Co. Continue reading... “The Living River Film Festival: Oct 12-14”
