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Thanks so much for the great show, and for taking the time to examine Oregon's steadily-growing film and TV industry!

I want to especially thank you for having Todd Freeman on, and for taking the call from the gentleman in Baker City who put together the film festival for his students.  While big-budget, out-of-state productions like Leverage and Twilight tend to grab peoples attention, it's important to remember that we have several producers and directors here in Oregon who are making films, television shows, web series, video games, and a host of other projects.  Our industry isn't just about supporting big projects that come in from out-of-state - it's also about Oregonians hiring Oregonians to produce projects they can market and sell outside the state (you can see a few of these Oregonian-produced projects right here, in fact!) The money that comes from these sales gets re-invested in Oregon - and it continues to build our local industry as those producers and directors move on to create their next project.  That's why I started http://www.oregonfilmandtvdollars.com - to try and track the way these film and TV dollars -both from big-budget out-of-state projects and Oregon-produced projects - are re-invested into the state.

posted 2 years, 10 months ago
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Actually, both gubernatorial candidates have made statements of support for Oregon's film and TV industry; John Kitzhaber stated on his web site that the film and TV industry here in Oregon is a "traded sector" employer - and such employers are central to his plans for the state's economic recovery (http://orfilmandtvdollars.wordpress.com/2010/07/02/kitzhaber-diversifying-is-key-to-creating-jobs/)

Chris Dudley, said in an email (published at http://orfilmandtvdollars.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/dudley-campaign-positive-on-the-oregon-film-and-tv-industry/) that "Opportunities in the film, television and media production industry would be encouraged as it is not only a way for the state to make money during a time we are running a huge deficit, but also an opportunity for Oregon to be in the spotlight thus advertising the natural beauty our great state has to offer."

Personally, I'm more interested in hearing the plans of those running for the legislature this year, since they're going to be the ones who will need to renew the state's film incentive program before it "sunsets" in 2012.

posted 2 years, 10 months ago
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Patrick, I might suggest that you listen to the interview again on the podcast - Oregon isn't the cheapest place for her to produce her show.  She mentioned three places off-the-cuff (Michigan, Louisiana, and British Columbia) that offer much higher incentives.  In fact, take a look at the map in this article - http://orfilmandtvdollars.wordpress.com/2010/07/03/saturday-film-incentive-news-roundup/ (you'll have to scroll down to find the map)  You'll see that Oregon's incentive plan is actually much lower than many states throughout the US - even Alaska offers more than we do.

I didn't find her smug at all - if anything, it was great to hear all the reasons she (and Leverage) like shooting in Portland beyond "how cheaply she could get her job done."

posted 2 years, 10 months ago
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