Trailer for “The Worriers”
August 31, 2010 1:36 pm by Lauren Hudgins
Archive for the 'film' category
Suitcase Sam
January 17, 2010 3:04 pm by Lauren Hudgins
A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story.
December 3, 2009 1:46 am by Brigid Marz
I will admit it, Christmas cheer makes me feel a little like punching babies. So when I accepted the assignment to review the seasonal hallmark, A Christmas Carol, I waited for my stomach to settle before saying yes.
Mead Hunter’s adaptation of the Dickens classic is hauntingly familiar.
A play with music, rather than a musical play, the Portland Center Stage production uses classic Christmas carols to set a nostalgic and timeless tone. With a cast of rather fine actors taking on song, the music is not as well realized as it might be. But the rich harmony and languid presentation adds just enough depth to the overplayed seasonal favorites to restore their lost beauty.
Director Rose Riordan’s realization of the script is intoxicatingly macabre, with enough ghostly overtones to soothe the savage spirit. Ted Roisum’s portrayal of Jacob Marley carries a Snape-ian twist, and the chains binding Marley’s ghost are impressive and darkly beautiful. It is a troubled, dark Christmas tale, and there are some stolen moments that are genuinely frightening.
The mood is supported in force by the compelling set design work of Dex Edwards, who has created a dark, claustrophobic, beautiful old town that just fills the gap between quaint and gothic.
Of course, the show pivots on the strong character performance of leading man Ebbe Roe Smith, whose rubber face conveys emotion with just enough depth to be approachable, enough passion to be engaging, and just enough energy to portray the caricature without losing the human face beneath it. Smith’s performance is committed and rich, playful and savage.
This story, worn and weary, finds life in the PCS performance. Dark and (fuck it) heartwarming, the Portland Center Stage production will actually kind of engage you.
Recommendation? Skip the silver screen this holiday season, and catch a few talented humans in motion.
Now through December 27th at Portland Center Stage.
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Goodbye John Hughes
August 6, 2009 9:06 pm by Mike Burnett
Pedalpalooza Starts This Week
June 9, 2009 5:12 pm by Lauren Hudgins
Portland’s 2+ week celebration of bike fun starts this Thursday, June 11th. By Saturday the festival will be in full swing with the Portland portion of the World Naked Bike Ride. It’s exactly what it sounds like. The theme this year is “Where the Wild Things Are.”
My favorite event last year was the Prince Vs. Bowie Dance Party. Wear sparkly glam costumes. Bike. Drink. Dance. Bike. Drink. Dance. For as long as you can take. The event is repeating this year on Friday, June 19th.
For sweet teeth we have…
The Chocolate Ride
Vegan Baked Goods Ride
The Ice Cream Social
For Zombie lovers we have…
Jesus Cycle Procession
Greatfully Dead (sorta)
Zombie Cycle Outbreak
A sampling for activists…
Guerrilla Traffic CalmingCANCELED
Homeless Hotspots CANCELED
Ride Against the CRC
Bike Advocacy 101
And there’s stuff for the drunks, the pervs, the gluttons, the nerds, the exhibitionists, the snobs. And yes there is something for you, even if you are new to this whole bike thing. Check out the full Pedalpalooza Schedule.
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Interview: White Noise Observation Point
April 25, 2009 11:54 pm by Mike Burnett
“…if anyone was doing things that talked to me perfectly then i wouldn’t have to make them”
Clint Ganczak is behind White Noise Observation point, a mysterious entity that began reaching out last year on social networking sites like Myspace and Oregon Media Network, looking for like minded independent filmmakers. I ran into Ganczak serendipitously on the patio at NE Portland’s Bye and Bye a few weeks back. We talked a bit about independent film in Portland and what exactly White Noise Observation Point is up to, and this interview is the result.
Are you White Noise Observation Point, or does the name represent an organization?
this is the name of my one man band production company. originally it was a band name but the band never really got off the floor. i left out the word “productions”, or “films”, to be a little more enigmatic. i like it because people always wonder. that and i didn’t want a name that people didn’t take serious. if you’re serious about your films, your work, etc. – then i don’t know why you’d name your company/organization something like toast and jam films or flying green dog productions.
Where does the name come from?
the name is quasi buddhist. i came up with it a long time ago working third shift and never getting sleep because of loud roommates. i kind of walked around in a fog. kind of like in fight club were he’s talking about not sleeping, “….a copy, of a copy, of a copy…” white noise is all frequencies of sound at once. there all all kinds of interesting things white noise is and does, it helps you sleep, it can make you crazy, and theoretically true white noise isn’t possible, because it would be infinite and infinitely powerful. so observing it is like seeing everything at once, sadness and happiness, tragedy and euphoria, epiphany and nothingness, all at once.
Can you take me through a brief history of your independent film screenings at Kelly’s Olympian?
i actually started at “the know”, but only a few people ever showed. i would sit there with a sign that read “WNOP” and people at the bar would ask me if it meant “W ith N o O ther P eople”. originally i called it filmmakers anonymous, a meet up for people doing film, and possibly show films. i didn’t know anyone or where the film scene was. so i just started something myself. then the booking agent from kelly’s contacted me and wanted to join forces and show local short films made by locals. we’ve been going strong for over a year, with a pretty decent turn out. we were doing it once a month, but now only four times a year. the next one is this weds at kelly’s olympian, 8pm, april 22nd. it’s free and we have some films that have won awards.
How long have you lived and worked in Portland, and from where did you originate?
like everyone else i’m not from here. i’ve been here for almost 5 years. i grew up in the rust/bible belt, fort wayne indiana. i became desperate enough to look into defense contract work in iraq(which was morally questionable) and fishing jobs in alaska. anything to escape. i ended up in the bering sea. if any of you are thinking about trying to earn film financing or buying equipment through commercial fishing, i don’t recommend it. i went for three summers before i learned my lesson.
Is there a film community in Portland?
yes, it’s small and can be clique-y. other times, it’s the same people on every other set.
What about a movement or any unifying aesthetic?
i don’t think so. everyone i know likes different things. there’s a few filmmakers who i like their work and far more that i don’t. but if anyone was doing things that talked to me perfectly then i wouldn’t have to make them. at first i had grandiose goals of starting some type of movement. i don’t know if that’s possible here. i’ll need to get more of my stuff off the ground and then start stirring shit up.
What is most of your professional film and video work like in Portland?
completely different. some are really trying to be professional, others are messy nightmares that are going no where. i just work my camera or whatever i’m doing and try to learn as much as possible. i’d like to be doing it full time, but i guess i have a lot more dues to pay. most of it is low pay, running ragged, run and gun. i’d like to work with more people that are willing to do anything to make it just right. but that takes money, and most of us are more dreamer than business man.
How pulled toward larger film cities (like LA or NY) do you feel?
i love portland even though i never intended to be here for more than a couple weeks. my first misadventure in alaska shit me out in seattle with a few hundred in my pocket. that wasn’t going to set me up in brooklyn, where i originally intended on. i’m back and forth on this. eventually i’ll be in nyc, unless portland makes some big changes or if i start making films that people really like. i probably will go to nyc regardless. i’ll never be a west coaster, portland is too small, and too comfortable.
What have you noticed changing about the Portland film industry since you arrived?
i still haven’t figured it out
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The Limits of Control Coming to Cinema 21
April 23, 2009 5:06 pm by Mike Burnett
Harold and Maude Squad
February 11, 2009 1:19 pm by Lauren Hudgins
This sounds awesome.
This Thursday, February 12, the Hollywood Theater is screening “Harold and Maude” with a live performance of the Cat Stevens score by some of the March Fourth musicians.
There’s a show at 7pm and one at 9pm.
Tickets are $15, or $10 if you bring a canned food item for the Oregon Food Bank.
Hollywood Theater
4122 NE Sandy
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Filmed By Bike Festival Hiring Intern
December 20, 2008 9:13 pm by Mike Burnett
From Craigslist:
The Seventh Annual Filmed by Bike is a festival of bike-themed short independent movies from around the world. The festival takes places every April in Portland, Oregon. Intern will work closely with the Festival Director and Promotion Assistant to present another great festival with thousands of moviegoers. This is a very fun position that offers an excellent opportunity to learn on the job while being a part of a Portland favorite event.
5-20 hours a week on average. Jan 20-April 30, 2009.
FESTIVAL INFO: FilmedByBike.org
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Filmmakers Showcase, PDX Needs You
July 9, 2008 11:25 pm by Mike Burnett
