The Confluence

#OregonMade “The Berlin Bride” Now Available on Amazon

The Berlin Bride was very fortunate to have premiered with a live audience in Germany and Chicago in November, and now, finally, Oregon filmmaker Michael Bartlett can share with us that the worldwide rights to his crazy little Portland – Berlin production has been acquired is premiering today on Amazon Prime with more countries to follow. Below is a commentary Michael put together that you that talks a bit about the journey.

“A plan to complete The Berlin Bride began almost immediately after the House of Last Things premiere in Berlin.

First Look at #OregonMade “The Rental” From Dave Franco

The Bandon, OR-shot feature film, “The Rental,” is the upcoming horror-thriller directorial debut of Dave Franco. And it looks to be as chilling as expected. The atmospheric and secluded aesthetic of “The Rental” may surprise people.

The film stars Alison Brie (“Mad Men,” “Glow”), and Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey”), as a couple looking to get away for a weekend of fun and relaxation. With another couple — Sheila Vand (“A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night”) and Jeremy Allen White (“Shameless”) — they retreat to a house seemingly ideal for their vacation…but maybe it isn’t after all.

Ashland Makes MovieMaker Magazine “Best Online Film Fest” List 2020

Film festivals are not alone in having to innovate the way they are doing business these days and going forward the on-line festival format is making a lot of sense. MovieMaker Magazine highlighted a handful of festivals that seem to be doing it well, including the Ashland Independent Film Festival.

The virtual festival begins May 22nd and runs through June 14th. Learn how it works here.

Oregon Post-COVID Production Protocols

Gov. Brown has laid out a Three Phase Reopening plan for Oregon. As of June 19, all of the state’s 36 counties are open under either Phase 1 (4 counties) or Phase 2 (32 counties).

Production is welcomed here in the state but all productions will need to adhere to the applicable elements of those general guidelines including social distancing.

Permits are, in general, being issued but most agencies have had a staff reduction during the last few months and therefore permitting may take longer to obtain.

A Conversation With Prop Master -Greg McMickle

Over the years, Portland local, Greg McMickle, has expanded his skill-set to include many talents; Propmaster, Production Designer, trumpet player, writer, and Proprietor of The Prop House. We recently caught up with him to ask more about his time working on #OregonMade projects, specifically, “Mr. Holland’s Opus” that shot here in 1994.

Oregon Film: How did you get your start as a Prop Master?
Greg McMickle: I received my degree in Film & TV Production from Mt. Hood in ’77 and worked in various forms of media in Portland before moving to L.A.

Iconic Ford Coupes Featured In Film

There have been many iconic Ford’s featured in films over the years, from the pioneering Ford Deuce Coupe in the 1973 classic American Graffiti to the high-performance Ford GT40 in the contemporary docu-film Ford v Ferrari. Ford’s Coupes and the idea of what a coupe is has transformed over the years but regardless of the nomenclatures implication, Ford’s cars have always been favorites with car and film aficionados alike. With the significant presence of both the automobile and film-making industries in the USA and considering Ford’s American origins, there’s no wonder to the numerous appearances of cool-looking Ford Coupes on the big screen.

Filming “Crossing Shaky Ground”

During a business retreat, an epic earthquake hits Astoria Oregon, forcing Aaron (Sean McCarty) to set out on foot to reach home, unsure if he’ll survive the 725 mile journey and what he’ll find at the end.This year I’m releasing the most controversial feature film I’ve ever made, a movie that will probably make my broad-minded friends and family cringe because it refutes everything we believe about how to help less-educated, economically-challenged rural Americans. My intention with the film isn’t to anger the audience; it’s to help people from my cultural background understand why people vote against their best interests.

Soma Games Staff Bio – Level Designer Sammi Riff

Soma Games LLC is an indie video game developer located in Newberg, Oregon. We believe video games can be far more than time-wasters. Video games hold the potential to showcase beauty, reward adventure and excellence, and challenge thinking. Our goal is to passionately and dutifully craft the games that elevate humanity rather than waste it. To learn more, check out our website.

SAMMI RIFF

Well-seasoned with sass and spunk, Sammi infuses fun and joy into whatever she does. Her current title is “level designer,” but her roles have ranged from a research intern to a puzzle wizard since she started in 2017.

Free Learning Resources For Creatives

Covid-19 has stopped life as-we-know-it in its tracks and with many of Oregon’s creatives wondering what is next we took a look around and found many free learning, and continuing education resource opportunities to help fill the void until life gets back to “normal”.

Adobe
Previously reported on No Film School, Adobe is offering at home access to its Creative Cloud for students as well as K-12 programs. Access will be granted until May 31st, 2020. Details here. Adobe has also released a how-to work remotely series available here.

Ashland Independent Film Festival Releases Program for Virtual Festival

The 19^th annual Ashland Independent Film Festival released its schedule for an interactive virtual festival that will capture the intimacy and magic of the annual Southern Oregon event popular with filmmakers and audiences.

Richard Herskowitz, AIFF Executive and Artistic Director, in a special 30-minute video available at www.ashlandfilm.org, will preview highlights of the 30 feature films and over 100 short films accepted to the annual April festival, which was cancelled by the coronavirus but which quickly moved to an expanded online event.

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