The Confluence – Page 259 – The Oregon film community's official blog.

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.

Saving Pelican 895 Screening at the NW Film Center April 6

Salem & Bend listed on “10 Best Small Film Festivals”

So, I entered my new short film, The Bag in to the Tupelo Film Festival (TFF). That’s right Tupelo Mississippi. I had heard good things about TFF and when it came time to enter film festivals I thought why not Tupelo. After all it is the hometown of Elvis Presley and since the writer/star of The Bag was Elvis’ leading lady in The Trouble with Girls maybe TFF would find a little extra interest in the film. Fast forward about 5 weeks and I haven’t heard anything back from Tupelo other than acknowledgment that they received my screener.

Cinema Pacific’s Industry Symposium Open to the Public

When Richard Herskowitz called me to let me know that he was able to get Terrence Chang and David Linde to speak at this year’s Industry Symposium, I leaped at the chance to participate. It is very rare for an event in Oregon to have one person with this much industry experience let alone two people. And the best news is that the entire event is FREE!!!!! Check out the line up below and also check out all the other great things happening this year at Cinema Pacific.

“Meek’s Cutoff” Insustry Night at the Elisonore Theatre

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/21400776[/vimeo]

March 15th was a night to celebrate the screening of “Meek’s Cutoff” at Salem’s historic Elsinore Theatre. As seen in the video above, many local film industry workers took the time to show their support by giving a brief interviews discussing how important it is to Oregon and to Oregon’s film community that productions like this continue to be filmed here in our state. Many people from the Oregon film industry along with quite a few state senators and representatives showed up for this special screening to benefit the Oregon Cultural Trust.

Recent Posts