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Featured Location:
Willamette Valley
Some locations are valuable because they have unique qualities, Crater Lake, Painted Desert, and Smith Rocks for example. Others are valuable because they convey the essence of a type, the heartland farm or the small/middle town America for example, and as such can stand in for a number of other states or countries. Oregon's Willamette Valley falls into the second category. The valley is huge, bounded on the west by the Oregon Coast Range and the east by the Cascade Range and was settled back in the days of the Oregon Territory and the Oregon Trail. It covers much from a locations perspective - quintessential, bucolic rolling farmland; barns; orchards and vineyards, as well as small historic Americana towns.
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Other "Willamette Valley" articles this issue:
Willamette Valley Resources (MOPAN)
Legacy Films & OregonStockFootage.com
Eugene International Film Festival (EIFF)
Willamette Writer's Conference
Willamette Valley Lifestyle
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by Vince Porter, Executive Director
The Willamette Valley is home to a wide range of locations and industries making it a great place to not only live, but to do business.
The capitol of Oregon, Salem, sits in the valley, and for film buffs, it’s best known as the place where “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” was filmed. Eugene has been the home of two of the most recognized films in history. The streets of Eugene and surrounding towns hosted “Animal House,” and the nearby countryside is where “Stand by Me” was filmed. Dozens of other films have also been shot in the area over the past decades. Most recently, Merchant Films wrapped production on its feature film “Something Wicked” in Eugene. The film includes a young cast headlined by Brittany Murphy.
Today, Eugene is home to Chambers Communications, a full service production facility as well as video game producer
Buzz Monkey, producer of the “Tomb Raider” series of video games. Eugene is also the home of many other high quality video production companies that produce a wide array of content for clients throughout the country. Two of Oregon’s most notable Universities, the University of Oregon and Oregon State University, are also located in the Willamette Valley. Both universities have developed accomplished curriculums in the computer 3D imaging and digital media field. As a result, several small media tech companies have branched off from the universities.
In recent years, many media professionals have found their way to the Willamette Valley as a means to a better quality of life. Due to the established and continually expanding local media industry, these professionals have not had to sacrifice their career to find literal greener pastures. As the world continues to flatten and as people continue to find ways to pursue their ambitions outside the bubble, the Willamette Valley is sure to become an even richer destination for producers of all forms of content.
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Chambers Studio's Year 11
by Dana Siebert, COO Chambers Communications
 It is hard to believe it has been more than a decade of television and film production at the Chambers Media Center in Eugene. Even more surprising is when we hear, “I didn’t know Oregon had professional sound stages of this quality.”
In fact, Eugene is home to the state’s only purpose-built production studios. Designed with the future in mind, our architects and vendors created a complex that has stayed current with today’s ever changing digital requirements.
One unique aspect is the complete support the facility offers for production: from office space for producers and wardrobe to back-lot space for trailers and trucks. Two 15,000 square foot stages with easy access, A.C., power, and sound design elements share the campus with a complete post production facility. The choice of FCP and Avid HD post, with over 45TB of storage along with a 5.1 sound design and mixing suite gives the producer a turnkey environment of great efficiency.
Our history includes over 400 hours of series television production, a dozen feature films, and a host of special effect and sound support projects. We believe in creating an environment that supports projects of all budgets and ambitions. At our media center, we look to take advantage of certain efficiencies we have adopted. If your project is one with a tight budget, we know how to squeeze every dollar so it goes to the screen. If you have a healthier budget and are in need of the accustomed comforts of a full service studio facility, we can accommodate that as well.
Recently Chambers has partnered with Merchant Films which is set to produce six films over the next three years. Merchant’s first film, “Arcadia Lost” stars Nick Nolte. The film was shot in Greece but the post production is happening at the Chambers Media Center. Merchant’s second film, “Something Wicked” recently wrapped production in Eugene. Included in the cast are actors James Patrick Stuart, John Robinson, and Brittany Murphy.
Oregon is quickly becoming a top filming choice for producers; given the tremendous locations, strong crew base, and competitive incentives .Chambers is poised to continue its growth in this industry. It’s true that Eugene is not the first place one would think when it comes time to produce a movie, but if you give us a shot, we’re confident you’ll be very pleased with the low costs and high production values.
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Buzz Monkey
by Randy Thompson, President Buzz Monkey Software
Never heard of Buzz Monkey Software? We’re not surprised. Located in downtown Eugene, Oregon, Buzz Monkey Software keeps a low profile as far as the public is concerned. For over seven years, this covert video game development studio has delivered its message through the quality products it creates for large publishers such as Electronic Arts, Eidos, and Sony Computer Entertainment. In other words, Buzz Monkey prefers to make games, not press releases. So while you’ve likely heard of “Tomb Raider” (Lara Croft),“Ratchet & Clank,”and “Syphon Filter” – three major video game franchises Buzz Monkey has contributed to over the years – it’s not unexpected if the name Buzz Monkey has you scratching your head.
Buzz Monkey Software was founded in 2001 by four industry veterans – Randy Thompson, Jon Milnes, Steve Cordon, and Barry Drew – people involved in their previous employers’ most profitable and award-winning games, such as “Red Baron,”“Front Page Sports,” “Tribes,” and “The Incredible Machine.” Drawing from industry contacts and associations with local universities, the company founders have populated Buzz Monkey with both experienced developers and exceptional new talent.
At around 70 people, Buzz Monkey is the largest independent video game developer based in Oregon. Buzz Monkey considers Eugene an ideal location to balance work, education, and family. It’s a short flight between clients located in Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles; it’s home to the University of Oregon, is just south of the Portland Art Institute, and Oregon State University; and it’s ideally situated between the Pacific Coast and the Cascade Mountains in the beautiful Willamette Valley. While the universities provide Buzz Monkey with excellent new hires with fresh ideas, Oregon’s quality of life attracts veteran game developers looking to settle down and raise a family.
Buzz Monkey’s focus is on video game consoles, as opposed to Windows and Macintosh computers, and has developed games for all major platforms including the Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, and Microsoft Xbox 360, in addition to contributing to two Sony PlayStation 3 titles.
Even with its stealthy public image, Buzz Monkey has made a name for itself inside the industry as a trusted caretaker of the world’s biggest video game franchises. The company’s most recent product was last year’s multi-million unit selling “Tomb Raider Underworld,” for which Buzz Monkey developed the PlayStation 2 and Wii versions and contributed to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions. Buzz Monkey is currently working on the soon to be released “Tony Hawk RIDE” video game as well as an unannounced title due to release in 2010.
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 Featured Location:
Willamette Valley (continued)
The varied terrain of Oregon's Willamette Valley can play for:
• vineyards of California, France, parts of South Africa
• rolling fields and meadows of Europe or the east coast
• lakes and waterfalls of New Zealand, Europe, and other American states
• ivy league colleges of the east coast
• Victorian homes of eastern states
• fields of corn & wheat from Kansas or Nebraska
• covered bridges of Europe or the eastern states
The Willamette Valley is well placed containing two (Eugene & Salem) of the three largest cities in Oregon and only an hour or two drive from Portland. No stranger to production, the Willamette Valley has played host to such films as “Animal House,” “Without Limits,” “Stand By Me,” “Sisters,” and “The General,” the 1926 Buster Keaton classic.
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Oregon Sparkles with Talent
by Dena Beatty (SAG - Portland/Seattle) and Wesley Jones (AFTRA)
It’s not just the scenery and incentives that make Oregon a great place to shoot – the many professional performers who provide quality on-camera and voice talent are helping to keep this state on the media production map. A great many of these performers are also members of performers’ unions, whether AFTRA, SAG or both.
In Oregon you will find trained vocalists, dancers, musicians, stunt performers and, of course, a large number of skilled professional actors. Members of the local talent pool have worked on major projects such as “Leverage,” “Twilight,” and “Untraceable”- plus countless independent film projects, commercials, and educational films.
Oregon performers are professionals that make it easier for you to deliver a quality product, regardless of size or scope. When you hire a professional performer, you are hiring experience. You can be confident that your project will get done on time, and on budget.
And the costs are reasonable - SAG independent agreements allow flexibility for lower-budget features. Regional SAG/AFTRA advertising rates allow you to hire quality talent and remain competitive in local advertising. And for other projects, for all types of media, the economics will always reflect the practical realities of the medium.
Hiring professional performers benefits producers in other ways as well. In a fast-moving industry, it can be hard to make sure that all your bases are covered. Need a clear hire contract? Performers will bring one. Need to know market rates? The relevant union contract usually sets the standard. Worried about liabilities and making sure you’re compliant with employment laws? A SAG or AFTRA project will always be 100% by the book.
The state of Oregon is rich with scenery and can make any filmmaker’s or advertiser’s vision come to life on screen. But Oregon is not just a stand-out state for scenery – our talent shines bright as well.
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Willamette Valley Resources
by Deb McManman, President MOPAN
 MOPAN, the Mid-Oregon Production Arts Network, is an economic development association representing video, film, and multi-media production professionals. Centered in Eugene-Springfield, Oregon, MOPAN is a non-profit, all-volunteer agency that publishes a Creative Resources Directory of its members, a monthly e-newsletter “Take 1,” hosts monthly meetings of its members, and presents a website at www.mopan.org featuring the Directory, member and industry news and photographs, and contact information for statewide film and video organizations around Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
MOPAN provides many benefits to its members for a very low yearly fee, including listings on the website and in the Creative Resources Directory, which is distributed to motion picture and television producers, location scouts interested in shooting in the area, corporate and independent media producers, educational media producers, and advertising agencies. Members and interested parties are encouraged to share news and photos of their productions and business activities in our newsletter and at MOPAN meetings.
Some of MOPAN’s members have recently been working on a locally-produced feature film as production assistants, wardrobe, stunt people, grips, electricians, and actors. Other members have recently won awards for significant documentaries, indie feature films, and short features. One member just got a national distribution contract for his feature film. Many of our members are entering their works in The Eugene International Film Festival and The Eugene Celebration Film Festival, both of which are organized by MOPAN members.
Over its 20-year history, MOPAN has hosted several well-attended Film and Video Conferences, as well as numerous workshops. Networking people-to-people, as well as organization-to-organization, MOPAN partners with DIVA (Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts), EIFF (Eugene International Film Festival), CTV29 (Community Television of Lane County), and other local and statewide groups to host meetings, workshops, film showcases, and events of interest to people in the multimedia field. MOPAN also works with other film and video organizations: OFVO (The Governor’s Office of Film and Video), OMPA (Oregon Media Production Association), SOFaT (Southern Oregon Film and Television), and FOA (Film Oregon Alliance) to help lobby the legislature for film incentives and to strengthen the industry in other ways.
Run by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors, MOPAN’s future goals are to increase its membership, promote the website, develop online discussion groups, open a storefront office, and offer expanded workshop and training opportunities.
For more information, see MOPAN’s website at www.mopan.org.
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Legacy Films - Long Distance Runner
by Erich Lyttle, Director
It’s true that our company, Legacy Films, has been at it for a while (almost 2 decades!). I look back at one of my first notable documentaries on the life of Steve Prefontaine, “Fire on the Track,” and realize how important endurance dedication and adaptability is in this business.
Keeping pace in these economic times means getting more creative than ever about how we market, what kinds of projects are needed today, and staying keen on the new technologies that bombard us every year.
What we’ve been up to is a stew pot of proof. The release by Cinetic Media of our feature film “Have You Seen Clem” was a high point this year for sure. Shot over the last 10 years, the subject matter (freedom is needing less stuff!) is more relevant than ever (www.seeclem.com). Although the film is available on iTunes and Amazon.com, the reality is that if no one knows about it, you won’t sell one copy. So, that’s our current challenge, getting the word out in a sea of over saturated media. But hey, at least we are living the ultimate dream…making feature films.
Speaking of “ultimate”… We just finished a three documentary deal with Red Bull, Lionsgate, and STARZ! Check out it out at www.theultimateride.tv. This series featured Shaun White ripping it up in Japan; kayaker Steve Fisher doing good will in Africa while running the dangerous Zambezi River; and a New Years Eve spectacle in Las Vegas featuring motor sports daredevils Robbie Maddison and Rhys Millen.
Our D.P., Ethan Shiels, spent a great deal of time on the road putting our film camera to work, shooting stock footage for Travel Oregon - amassing an incredible HD library of the most epic spots in our beautiful state (http://www.oregonstockfootage.com/). Ethan also is proud of our ongoing contract filming University of Oregon Football games - that’s his NFL style film shots you see on the giant screen at Autzen!
Dan Wilkins, our Executive Producer, is running like hell too! He’s busy peddling our new series to networks; “Deathbed Confessionals”… a kind of “Twilight Zone” meets “America’s Most Wanted.”
As for new series, we are also pitching, pre-producing, collaborating, and filming several new products - a sustainable adventure travel series, “Session Earth;” a new documentary about Roller Derby; a reality series on wildfire fighting “Firestorm;” a new “Ultimate Ride: Stand Up Paddle Surfing;” and developing a few screen plays (always!).
And then there’s that project you just do for the love of filmmaking. We are excited that our feature film documentary “The Find: Claiming Nelscott Reef” will be released July 1st after four years of documenting this awesome discovery (www.nelscottreefthemovie.com).
And finally, we’re trying to decide when to buy the “right” new HD camera. We’ve fully transitioned from Avid to Final Cut, opening up to do some more corporate and spot jobs…and is film really dead?
With all that running, who knows? Whew, I’m starting to sweat. (www.erich.tv)
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Filmmakers Find Success at the
Eugene International Film Festival
By Mike Dilley
 Submissions are up, the filmmaking competition very competitive, and a distributor from Europe will be joining others to shop the Eugene International Film Festival this year. The EIFF is a boutique film market. Don’t miss the career opportunities fostered by the EIFF, October 8, 9, 10, and 11, 2009: www.eugenefilmfest.org.
The EIFF Screenwriters’ Retreat brings filmmakers face-to-face and one-on-one with working Hollywood professionals. Tom Sawyer, who for over a decade was Head-Writer and Showrunner of “Murder, She Wrote,” and Beverly Hills Literary Agent Ken Sherman are at the festival throughout its four day run. This is far more than a 10 minute pitch-fest; it’s an engaging screenwriter’s weekend.
Tom is passionate about helping others find work in the industry. With 9 network series pilots, 100 episode scripts, 15 network writing staff positions, published books, and the opera “Jack” to his credit he knows a thing or two about creative writing, pitching screenplays, and mentoring.
Ken Sherman will again be looking for outstanding scripts at the EIFF. Ken is a straight shooter. If you are ready to do lunch with a Hollywood agent plan on signing up for the EIFF Screenwriters’ Retreat: http://eugenefilmfest.org/workshops/retreat.
“Orlocon” is the annual EIFF ORegon LOcations CONference workshop. Orlocon is an in-depth filmmaker’s look at the ongoing history of Oregon film production from every aspect. There are presentations on Oregon’s production incentive programs, an overview of locations from around the state, and details on crew and other regional filmmaking assets.
 Lunch is included for Orlocon participants. Chambers Productions will be providing a sound stage for the event. Among those supporting Orlocon will be the City of Eugene and Travel Lane County. Regional agencies from around the state are encouraged to participate. Meg Trendler at Travel Lane County will help coordinate those wishing to showcase their region at Orlocon 2009: Meg Trendler, Tourism Sales Manager and Film Liaison, Travel Lane County, 800-547-5445, 541-484-5307, Meg@TravelLaneCounty.org.
Watch for upcoming pre-festival events, workshops and social gatherings. Let us know if you have a particular workshop interest, we may be able to accommodate your career goal. Send your suggestion today to info@eugenefilmfest.org.
Social networking at the EIFF is the stuff of legends. From the hosted party sponsored by Sennheiser in 2006 that helped launch the festival to the wrap party at the Valley River Inn last year, you don’t want to miss the fun.
Mark your calendar, the opening reception will be at the Oregon Electric Station, October 8, 2009, 6:00 PM. Learn more and register online at www.eugenefilmfest.org.
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Willamette Writers Conference>
 The 2009 Willamette Writers Conference will be held August 7-9th at the Portland Airport Sheraton Hotel.
From the Willamette Writers’ Website:
“You cope all year with the creative isolation that's part of the writer's journey. Our annual conference is an opportunity for you to meet and exchange ideas with hundreds of other writers, to hone your craft, find expert advice, sell your work and get your creative juices flowing. Inspiration is what it's all about, and the inspiration you gain during the Willamette Writer's 2009 conference this August will help fire you up and carry you through the winter months - and work - ahead.”
Visit the Willamette Writers’ Website for more information.
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Willamette Valley Lifestyle
Willamette Valley Wineries
www.willamettewines.com
 The Willamette Valley, Oregon's leading wine region has two-thirds of the state's wineries and vineyards and is home to more than 200 wineries. It has been recognized as one of the premier Pinot Noir producing areas in the world.
The Willamette Valley is a huge and varied appellation that includes six sub-appellations; Chehalem Mountains, Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, McMinnville, Ribbon Ridge, and Yamhill Carlton.
Buffered from Pacific storms on the west by the Coast Range, the valley follows the Willamette River north to south for more than a hundred miles from the Columbia River near Portland to just south of Eugene. To the east, the Cascade Range draws the boundary between the Willamette Valley’s misty, cool climate and the drier, more extreme climate of eastern Oregon.
At its widest point, this long, broad valley spans sixty miles. Overall, the climate boasts a long, gentle growing season – warm summers with cool evenings; bursts of Indian summer often shortened by maritime rains; wet, mild winters; and long, often rainy springs. In ideal years the maritime climate provides the best conditions possible for growing the cool-climate grape varieties Oregon is best known for – Pinot Noir. In lesser years, fall rains can be tricky and malicious, causing reactions among winemakers ranging from minor hair pulling to outright despair. In this matter the Willamette Valley compares favorably with the Burgundy and Alsace regions of France. And, like it or not, the often finicky Willamette Valley climate is the promised land for Pinot Noir in America. Wineries also produce Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Melon, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc, and some Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah.
The Willamette Valley wineries are a popular tourist destination with many bed & breakfasts, motels and fine restaurants available. Please visit the individual winery websites for more information on direct shipment of wine, events, hours of operation, ownership, vineyard plantings, etc.
Lane County is Film Friendly!
By Meg Trendler - www.travellanecounty.org
If you are looking for a film-friendly community, take a look at Lane County.
LaneCounty offers a diverse landscape, including everything from spectacular forested mountains and glacial rivers with snow-capped peaks in the background, to rural farmlands, lush vineyards, small towns, an ivy-covered campus; and from the mundane suburbia, shopping malls, industrial buildings, and abandoned mills to dramatic vistas along the Oregon Coast of rocky headlands, dark fir forests, slow rivers and pristine estuaries, and wide open beaches. There’s a lot to see from the crest of the Cascade Mountains, through the Willamette Valley and on to the coast.
 Filmmaking is getting easier in Lane County.
The City of Eugene has just streamlined the permit process and even has grant funds available to filmmakers working inEugene to augment theirtelecommunications or cable equipment whose budgets exceed $45,000.
Beyond helping find the perfect locations, getting financial assistance, and filling out the permits, the Travel Lane County office can also find housing for the cast and crew. Working closely with the hotels, inns and private homes throughout the county, Travel Lane County will help find the right accommodations at competitive prices. Travel Lane County can assist with bringing work to people in the local film production community with extra cast and crew along with caterers and other creative services.
The film industry has seen Lane County as a natural fit since Buster Keaton dumped a locomotive off the Row River bridge in “The General” shot in Cottage Grove in 1926. Rich with resources, there are locations, accommodations, and production facilities for the large full-feature projects to the micro-budget shorts.
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