Where you at?

Hello, hello! It's been awhile since you've heard from us over here at QOHQ, most likely because we are deep into post on 'Evidence of the Sasquatch.' As I type this Eli sits at a computer in our dark workspace figuring out how to best foley the sound of a character urinating off a deck. A bucket full of dirt, leaves and grass later, Jason slowly trickles water out of a Yeyo bottle to synthesize the sound. Next up, how do we replicate the sound of a body dragging across a deck?

We've been in sound design for about three weeks now with Anthony Gainer and Eli tag-teaming Pro Tools. Our picture edit is locked, our visual effects are done, thanks in part to the hard work of our friend Ed Vilderman, and we are working on locking our screening date towards the end of October.

Other than 'Evidence of the Sasquatch,' we've been up to a few other projects. Kyle directed a music video for the band 'And And And,' produced and shot by Tyler Carey. This video is now in the editing stage and should be ready for release in a couple of weeks. We are also hoping to begin Pre-Production on some live video/recordings of the band 'Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside,' that will take place at a friends ranch and will be Directed by Nate Baston. Our Co-conspirator Selena Shell, is working on treatments for a music video for the band 'Monarques,' to be produced by QO.

Next month we will be producing three short videos for Stand for Children's Beat the Odds scholarship. We are super excited about this opportunity. Each video will feature one of the scholarship winners, showcasing their story and their lives. These videos are always an inspiration and we are proud to be a part of telling these kids stories this year.

We've also been talking to Yeyo Tequila about producing a few short drink videos for them this fall, so keep your eyes open for more on that, they should be pretty slick.

That about sums it up for now, come out to Portland Film Network Meet-Up next Monday, October 4th @ Rontom's, to chat with us in person! There will be drink specials for members of the Meet-up this time!

Help Film Action Oregon

* received this e-mail today. let's help them out!*



Hello friends of Film Action Oregon and The Hollywood Theatre,

In just over a month I will celebrate 13 years with Film Action Oregon and the Hollywood Theatre. When I joined the organization (known then as the Oregon Film and Video Foundation), I could have never imagined the wild ride that would have gotten us to where we are now.

With the support of our patrons and volunteers, we have transformed the Hollywood Theatre from a neglected second-run movie house to one of the most exciting film venues in the country. There is a reason that the Sundance Institute named us as one of only 18 venues in the U.S. to be a part of the Sundance Art house Project. Where else can you catch a documentary premiere with the filmmaker and subjects in attendance (180º South), followed by an acoustic concert with the film’s composer (Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse)? Or attend a fundraiser for a local film festival that gives you a chance to meet the director that a few months later will make history by being the first woman to ever win the Oscar for Best Director (Kathryn Bigelow with her film The Hurt Locker)? Or go on a bike ride around the Hollywood District with a touring filmmaker before the screening of his acclaimed film (Nick Peterson with Field Guide for November Days)? Or have Oscar winner Miche l Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) leave a message on your boyfriend’s voicemail because he couldn’t be here to see his film The Thorn in the Heart (trust me, it happened)? Where else can local short filmmakers see their film’s name in lights on our marquee, right up there with the most recent David Lynch or Werner Herzog film or a restored masterpiece like The Bicycle Thief?

And though the Theatre is our most visible project, Film Action does so very much more. This Monday, we launch our seventh year of our summer documentary program Project Youth Doc, with a session at New Columbia serving at risk and underserved youth. We recently started a year-round animation workshop in partnership with Laika which has given hundreds of kids the chance to bring their artistic talents to life. Several of the 22 films which are currently being produced under our non-profit umbrella had their premieres this year and found their way into the world including Wetlands, Forge and Raw Faith. And then, of course, there is our unique Women’s Film Initiative, which was founded to help both aspiring and experienced female filmmakers to realize their vision.

It is obvious that I love this building and am passionate about all that this organization does. And from the e-mails I receive from many of you on a regular basis, you do too.

So, here is the pitch you have been waiting for. I will try to sound as little like public radio as possible and cut to the chase. We need to raise $25,000 by Friday, July 16th.

Here’s where you come in. Our e-mail list currently has over 28,000 people on it. If everyone on this list were to donate just a single dollar we would exceed this goal. If everyone donated just $5 (roughly the cost of a large soda at a Regal multiplex) we could easily finish our multimedia classroom and our new box office, allowing us to offer year round educational programs and to make everyone’s ticket buying process more pleasurable (as well as offering our first ADA accessible restroom). If everyone on the list donated $10 (that is less than $.03 a day!) we could finally afford to put in the new and expanded restrooms whose plans have taunted us over the years. And a whopping $20 per person (this gets my pulse racing!) could fund the complete restoration of the marquee and the Hollywood’s unique signature terra cotta tower.

As a special thank you, those of you that donate $50 or more between now and July 16, 2010 will receive recognition on the big screen before all regularly scheduled Hollywood Theatre film programming for one year. And since FAO is a 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization, your gift is entirely tax-deductible.

Contributions of any size make a big difference. Help us prove that there is strength in numbers!

Donate today via our secure website, or save us the credit card fees and send a check to:

Film Action Oregon
Attn: Appeal
4122 NE Sandy Blvd.
Portland, OR 97212

Thanks for your continued support. And a Happy Father's Day to everyone!

Sincerely,

Richard Beer
Artistic Director