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After over 20 years on film and commercial work here, I am stunned to hear 42kes comments on Oregon crews being flaky pot smokers. This has rarely been my experience. The growth of the industry should prove this isn’t the case.  

One of the things I appreciate the most as a freelancer, is that you are only as good as your last job. You are easily replaced lacking a good work ethic, so only the strong survive. It can be difficult to break in if you have an "attitude", often the case for people who have come here from LA or NY.   They may know their job, but quite often have a condescending attitude that isn't endearing when you are trying to break into a new market and make friends. Film is ART, art is fluid, there is no ONE way of making movies. Those who come here from out of State may do well to recognize that perhaps they can also learn something from us.  

Having worked with many of the same crew people since I started, we DO know the industry and don't feel entitled to preferential treatment, but perhaps she does? Her opinion of local crews is the opposite of what I have heard from NY and LA Producers and Directors who have come to film here. People who are attracted to this industry for the wrong reasons will get ONE shot to do it right, or they are GONE. We will not hire anyone a second time if they don't do their job - they are weeded out immediately. When you work an average of 12-14 hours a day, the last thing you tolerate is a flake on your crew.

We are very fortunate to have someone with Vince Porter's credentials at the helm of our State Film Office. We are very fortunate we have a Governor who values this industry. We are also very fortunate to have Michael Fine, another industry insider, as Portland's Film Liaison, a man with the diplomatic skills needed to work with City Bureaus and cares enough to go the extra mile to assist productions when they come here. There is a sense of family within the industry in Oregon, I hope we don't lose it as the industry grows.

posted 4 years ago
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