RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARCHIVE: Halloweentown (Duwayne Dunham 1998)

This week’s Hooray for Horregon RotLA edition comes with two truly great ingredients: Debbie Reynolds and St. Helens. If you haven’t seen HBO’s Emmy nominated “Bright Lights” (full disclosure, it was produced and directed by friend, former business partner and Astoria-filmed “Short Circuit” actor Fisher Stevens and his life-partner baby[ies]-mama Lexy Bloom), and, if you haven’t visited St. Helens (at Halloween or, as a seasonal alternative, by boat to the town dock in August for a riverside lunch and a beer), you need to do both. Continue reading... “RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARCHIVE: Halloweentown (Duwayne Dunham 1998)”

The McDowell Colony Seeking To Support Oregon-Based Artists + Filmmakers – Applications Being Taken

About McDowell: Founded in 1907, The MacDowell Colony  is “the oldest artist colony in America. Artists (about 300 a year) receive Fellowships to pursue their work on 450 woodland acres in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Any artist may apply for residency at MacDowell; the only criterion for acceptance is talent demonstrated by work samples. Every accepted artist receives a Fellowship covering all residency essentials, including: use of a private studio with amenities designed to suit specific disciplines and three meals a day and living accommodations. Continue reading... “The McDowell Colony Seeking To Support Oregon-Based Artists + Filmmakers – Applications Being Taken”

Writing The West@Black Hat Books, Oct. 12, 7:00 PM

Who writes the West? Rich Wandschneider, Richard Etulain, and Anne Richardson will pool their thoughts on October 12, at 7:00 PM at Black Hat Books, 2831 NE MLK.

Richard W. Etulain is a prize-winning historian specializing in the history of the American West. He has been honored as president of both the Western Literature and Western History Associations. His most recent book is about Ernest Haycox, a Portland writer who grew up alongside a brand new art form: the Western.

Rich Wandschneider is the director of the Alvin M. Continue reading... “Writing The West@Black Hat Books, Oct. 12, 7:00 PM”

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARCHIVE: Human Growth (Written by Lester Beck, Directed by Sy Wexler, 1947/1962)

We’re headed Back to School again this week and tackling that most interesting and uncomfortable of classroom topics: Sex Ed. Raider/Contributor Phil Oppenheim takes a look at the late 40’s and early 60’s in-classroom, let’s-watch-a-film-on-that approach to this topic from the University of Oregon and it is quite curious (frustrating? enlightening? stereotype-izing?) to see the differences between the two and, even more so, between then and now. On top of that, in a state with such a (forgive us) well developed animation industry, it’s also great to see such early roots for that particular art form even if it is at the expense of poor Aunt Sarah (who might have have a few questions to answer about her hateful niece’s origins). Continue reading... “RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARCHIVE: Human Growth (Written by Lester Beck, Directed by Sy Wexler, 1947/1962)”

Raiders of the Lost Archive – Metal Messiah: Born Again Sage (Nick Wells, 2010)

Raiders continues its Back to School theme this week with some much needed Music Appreciation. Whether you launched your appreciation of a certain genre of Energy Music through Heavy Metal Parking Lot, or just hours of stereo volumes pegged to 11 followed by blurry road trips to see Ozzy or Mötley Crüe, or maybe you just liked the wardrobe and appreciate Mark Wahlberg in “Rock Star” – we all have been touched in some way by our own rock n’ roll journey and Raider Contributor Phil Oppenheim takes us down one particular path that starts at Oregon City High School (and, coincidentally or ironically enough, the shooting location for Netflix’s “Everything Sucks” this past summer). Continue reading... “Raiders of the Lost Archive – Metal Messiah: Born Again Sage (Nick Wells, 2010)”

Ashland Independent Film Festival Expands the 28th Annual Varsity World Film Week

Varsity World Film WeekThe Ashland Independent Film Festival has assembled an intriguing and illuminating array of international independent films for the 28th annual Varsity World Film Week running October 6 through October 13 at the Varsity Theatre in downtown Ashland. The 13 films selected represent 23 countries, including Canada, Colombia, Lebanon, France, Thailand, Russia, Nepal, and the United States.

In addition to the week of screenings, this year will also feature opening and closing night festivities, including Q&A’s with film directors and after-screening parties.  Continue reading... “Ashland Independent Film Festival Expands the 28th Annual Varsity World Film Week”

HouseSpecial’s ‘Jailbreak’ Takes Best Picture at the We Like ‘Em Short Film Festival

Jailbreak - a stop-motion short from HouseSpecial

HouseSpecial took home the award for Best Picture at the We Like ‘Em Short Film Festival held on August 17-20, 2017 in Baker City, Oregon. Aaron Sorenson wrote and directed the winning stop-motion film, Jailbreak, which was shot in black and white. The story follows the daring escape of a desperate prisoner fleeing his nightmarish cell in pursuit of sweet punishment. The design is German Expressionist-inspired, but with a decidedly adult twist.

“Everything about Jailbreak is perfect – beautifully shot, perfect timing and hilarious. Continue reading... “HouseSpecial’s ‘Jailbreak’ Takes Best Picture at the We Like ‘Em Short Film Festival”

The 8th Annual “We Like ’em Short Film Festival” Opens in Baker City

Just before you hunker down somewhere within the Path of Totality, make sure you find time to do something fun right in the Heart of Totality.

 

The We Like ‘Em Short Film Festival allows young, first time, filmmakers and professionals from around the world the chance to show their films in our beautiful small town known for its lively arts community. The goal for WLES is to bring films from local, national and international filmmakers to our region and showcase why the Baker Valley is so inspiring. Continue reading... “The 8th Annual “We Like ’em Short Film Festival” Opens in Baker City”

QDoc Film Festival Returns May 18-21 at the Hollywood Theatre! 4 Days, 12 Films, 1 Special Weekend

Going on its 11th year, QDoc is the only film festival in the United States (and one of only two in the world) devoted exclusively to LGBTQ documentaries. From historical films to personal stories; artist biographies to experimental works; topical films to controversial works, QDoc has presented award-winning films, fresh from top-tier festivals, for more than a decade.

The four-day festival kicks of Thursday, May 18 at the historic Hollywood Theatre and continues through May 21 with 11 additional films, broadly exploring LGBTQ history, culture and politics. Continue reading... “QDoc Film Festival Returns May 18-21 at the Hollywood Theatre! 4 Days, 12 Films, 1 Special Weekend”

2017 Pacific Northwest Lens Summit

Koerner Camera Systems to Launched its First Pacific Northwest Lens Summit.

Koerner Camera Systems, the premier supplier of high-end cinema gear for motion picture, television and commercial productions in the Pacific Northwest, will be hosting a first-of-its-its-kind exposition at their new facility in Southeast Portland. The latest optics from Angenieux, Arri, Canon, Cooke, Fujinon, IB/E, Kish, Leica, Lomo Illumina, P+S Technik, Raptor, Sigma, Tokina, and Zeiss were on display for the largest lens event in the history of the Pacific Northwest. Continue reading... “2017 Pacific Northwest Lens Summit”