The Confluence

“Meek’s Cutoff” Opens at Portland’s Fox Tower on Friday

For all of you who haven’t seen “Meek’s Cutoff”, the film opens at Portland’s Fox Tower on Friday. Local Writer Jon Raymond and Producer Neil Kopp will be on hand for a Q&A session at screenings on Friday and Saturday night. Almost a month ago we held a screening of the film at the Elsinore Theater in Salem and the film was very well received. It is a stunningly beautiful film featuring great acting, great directing and great locations! Please do check the schedule of the Fox Tower later in the week to get more details about the show times as well as the times that Jon and Neil will be doing their Q&A.

Mayor Sam Adams Unveils Portrait of Filmmaker Todd Haynes in City Hall

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/22418896[/vimeo]

Yesterday Portland Mayor, Sam Adams unveiled a portrait of local filmmaker Todd Haynes that will be displayed in Portland’s City Hall. Haynes is the creative force behind movies such as “Velvet Goldmine,” “Far from Heaven,” and the recent HBO miniseries “Mildred Pierce.” This is just one example of the city’s ongoing support of local artists and the local film/television community. The portrait was painted by local artist Steven Cohn, who paints under the pseudonym “Jasper Marks.”

You can read a full review of the unveiling and view additional videos on PortlandOnline.com

World Premiere of Wake Before I Die

We are very proud to announce the World Premiere of the feature film Wake Before I Die on May 15th at McMenamins Bagdad Theater in Portland. The screening is FREE and attendance will be based on a first come first serve basis. This HD screening is also ALL AGES though the film, when rated, will most likely be a PG-13 rating.

Wake Before I Die was the first film to utilize the i-OPIF program which provides rebates of 20% of goods and services and 10% of Oregon labor for films produced by Oregon filmmakers who spend a minimum of $75,000 but not more than $750,000 on their project.

SourceOregon.com 2011 Directory Release Party!

Skip your lunch break and come on down to the OMPA office and pickup your book, a beer, and some BBQ!

Friday, April 15th from 2:00pm – 7:00pm

901 SE Oak St. Suite #104, Portland

Join friends and colleagues for this celebration of Oregon’s production industry.

OMPA members – come get your book! Please note that Student and Actor Add-On Members do not receive a free copy of the directory with their membership. (Actors agencies and managers do receive books however.)

Van Sant’s Restless to Open the Cannes Film Festival

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgq6SQTDYi8[/youtube]

As you will read in Shawn Levy’s blog post today Gus Van Sant’s film “Restless” is set to open this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Van Sant has been a long time favorite of the festival dating all the way back to the 1995 film “To Die For” which opened the festival back then. This is the second Oregon film to premiere in a major international film festival over the last year. The first one being Kelly Reichardt’s “Meeks Cutoff” which opened in theaters this past week.

Payroll Update for Crew Work in New York

Under New York State’s Wage Theft Prevention Act (“WTPA”), Employers are required to provide a Payroll Notification to workers at the time of hire that advises workers of their rate of pay and regular pay date.

This form is required each time you are hired, even if you have worked for that employer in the past.
The form must be completed within 10 days of the date of hire.
Working under a union contract or collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”) does not absolve the employer of this responsibility.

Live Wire! Radio Celebrates Seven Great Years with Special Guest Todd Haynes

Live Wire! Radio celebrates is 7th Anniversary and 150th Sesquisensational Episode at the Portland Art Museum on Friday, April 15, 2011. Among the many special guests for the evening will be Oregon’s own Todd Haynes. The Academy-Award nominated writer/ director of Far From Heaven, I’m Not There, and Safe will be on hand to discuss his most recent project, Mildred Pierce, the 5-hour miniseries currently airing on HBO.

Tickets are on sale now. Get $5 off with a special OMPA discount code: SEVENYEARS (all caps)

Considering Applications Again for iOPIF Projects

I just wanted to send out a note that we are now considering applications for iOPIF again. As the fiscal year is coming to an end we have gone through several audits of the projects that had applied for the program and now know what funds are available. In addition with the new fiscal year comes a new round of funding for iOPIF. So if you are a producer with a local project in the fall, please feel free to contact me to inquire about iOPIF.

Earth Day Is Around The Corner and “A Billion Acts of Green®” Is Already Happening In Oregon

It’s April, it’s beginning to sprout green everywhere you look and there are many good and green projects out there that make evident Oregonians are doing their part for Earth Day and a “A Billion Acts of Green®” this year.

The Ashland Independent Film Festival is screening a handful of Oregon made eco-films, the 48 Hour Go Green project has chosen two Oregon filmmakers to screen at Cannes and we have been working with the Producers Guild of America to help with a searchable green vendor data base to help green your next project.

Changes to FUTA Rates for Some States

The U.S. Department of Labor will require supplemental FUTA tax assessments in some states due to budget deficits. Attached is a chart from the U.S. Department of Labor indicating projected increases beyond the base rate of 0.8%. If an increase rate is 0.3%, then the revised FUTA tax rate will be 1.1%. FUTA tax contributions are assessed per employee on the first $7,000 in wages. Changes are not scheduled for Oregon or Washington, but if you are filming in other states, you may have to make adjustments to your payroll budgets.

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