Recently, I was contacted for permission to use a flickr image I had posted of the OKC Bricktown Canal - something I had shot quickly with my cell phone last December while we were hanging with our families during the holidays - for an amazing little application called schmap. Evidently, I’ve been in the dark on this really, nifty little application for almost four years (though I think this newer version isn’t quite so old), and now - being the map lover that I am - I’m over the moon for this thing and simply had to share my new discovery! Am I the only one who’s just heard of this?!There’s an online version you can use, but take it from me, the downloadable, desktop version for offline use is full and complex without being complicated and has a more beautiful interface than the online variety. Plus, it will come in handy for those times I’m using my laptop out and about and offline (especially since the effort to have free wifi citywide in Portland has been squashed). Described as a uniquely interactive experience, the desktop schmap allows you to search, bookmark, take tours, quick zoom, email your findings, get directions, print custom maps, and more for 200 cities around the world. And in case you’re wondering: Yes, it’s a totally free application. [Read more →]

It’s been awhile since we’ve blogged. Diana and I both have been busy hustling up the work and play here in Portland. We’ll do our best to stay on top of this interweb thing.

One recent thing that is happening is “Matador,” a music video I shot a couple of weeks ago for director Jeffrey Wilson. The video is being made in conjunction with a Rock Opera that Jeffrey is putting together titled “Chariots of Rubber.”

Already, they have made a music video/commercial for Voodoo Doughnuts. Watch it HERE.

Anyhoo, the Matador video is being edited now, so keep your eye out for it! More to come.

Here it is! Winner of the Best Soundtrack award at the 2008 International Documentary Challenge, we proudly present:

“The Mixtress”

This Wednesday
May 7, 2008
7 p.m.
Hollywood Theatre
(click for map)
$6/person, tickets at Box Office or online here

The short film Peter and I shot as part of the 2008 International Documentary Challenge will be screening at Hollywood Theatre, along with the Doc Challenge Grand Winner, “Click Whoosh” and the POV Short Film Winner, “Ars Magna,” both made by Seattle teams; “Beholder,” the film that won Best Writing and the Doc Challenge Original Vision awards from Brooklyn, NY; and an international entry from Sydney, Australia. Twelve total films (each 8 minutes or shorter, per the contest’s rules) will play, making the entire screening about 90 minutes.

More information, including the full list of films, can be seen on my latest post on PDX Pipeline.

We’ll be gathering prior to the event at 5:30 pm at the Moon and Sixpence British Pub, just around the corner from Hollywood Theatre, for some bangers and mash and a pint. A group of the filmmaking teams will be meeting at this same pub after the screening, as well.

See you there!

Last year, when Diana and I were still residents of the great state of Oklahoma, we partnered with director Levi Cathcart, of Tulsa, to produce a short film titled “Odd, Oklahoma.” Filmed over a weekend in May 2007, the film is a short comedy about a small town bank robbery, starring and crewed by some of the best talent Oklahoma has to offer. With a 7-minute running time, “Odd, Oklahoma” is packed with action, laughs, and an ending that will surprise you.

This June, the film will finally be making it’s long-awaited debut at the 2008 deadCENTER Film Festival in downtown Oklahoma City. I have a long history with this festival, having had films compete in it practically every year of it’s 8 year existence. It is my favorite film festival in the region, and each year it draws filmmakers and cinema lovers from around the world.

“Odd, Oklahoma” makes its worldwide premiere Friday June 13 at 7pm at the Kerr Auditorium, as part of the “Okie Shorts” portion of the festival. We are very proud of this film and would love for everyone to come out and cheer us on.
More information about the festival at www.deadcenterfilm.org

It’s officially here. A time when the clouds will completely break and a hustle starts to happen. After that long, gray Portland winter, busier days and noticably warmer evenings are finally sneaking up on us. And with it comes the stuff to do!

One such stuff is AudioCinema’s BBQ this Sunday (May 4) from 2:00pm-midnight. The Spring-usher event, otherwise known as Cinco de Mustache, will feature bands (don’t know which ones), pinatas (don’t know what shapes), full-bar (don’t know what prices), and mustaches (oh yeah.)

All those (I don’t knows) up there will be answered shortly when I hear back from them.
(5/4/08 - here’s what I found out:   one band playing is Maccabee, full cash bar with emphasis on margaritas, no idea on pinata, but my guess is monkey.  just because I like to say monkey.)

Rock the real deal or wear a fake, but definitely let your ’stache know it will be wearing lots of BBQ sauce and ice cream on Sunday. Hope to see you all there.

AudioCinema
(503) 467 - 4554
226 se Madison
portland, ore.
under the Hawthorne bridge
enter from SE Madison St.
googley map

psst! By the way, Audio Cinema has happy hour M-F from 4-7pm, with 20% off entrees and $1 PBR - and if memory serves correctly, they have wine specials, which is a welcome bit for me.

That’s right, kids. I’m now giving my time and words to pdxpipeline, a not-so-underground, underground website on all things Portland and cultured… erm, except milk (which I’ve learned at the Candidates Gone Wild event the other night is Portland’s official beverage. But that’s another story…)

My premiere contribution to the pipeline is on the Portland premiere of Werner Herzog’s latest flick, Encounters at the End of the World, playing at the NW Film Center’s Whitsell Auditorium on 1219 SW Park Avenue. The film kicks off a whole series slew of Herr Herzog’s films, showing most of the month of May. Come join me and Peter tomorrow night (that’s Friday, May 2 at 7 p.m.) as we check out the German cinemagic.

The Mixtress, the short documentary we made as part of the 2008 International Documentary Challenge, won Best Soundtrack!  A big thanks to the talent and connections of Jules Bennett, the Mixtress herself, for compiling such an amazing pool of musical talent for this film.

So I did it. Just up and walked into a hair salon, asked them to cut off enough to donate it. It’s a carthatic experience to rid yourself of all that hair, all that weight, and know you are doing something beneficial for some little one out there. I’m still getting used to the new style - I love the quicker showers and hair drying, I hate the more high maintenance-ness of it all, but overall, I’m so glad I did it.

Funny enough, I turned on the TV an hour or so after the cut, and there was Oprah taking scissors to Hilary Swank’s mane. The actress was on the program to promote Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths, and she got all her hair whacked to personally join the cause.

And so it seems, it’s the time to start our personal spring cleanings. Long-locked ladies and gents, I challenge you to also give it a go! Join the movement to rid yourself of unneeded weight, and make it at least 8 inches so it can be made into a wig for a very hopeful little boy or girl who needs it much more.

For details on what to do, click on one of the following links:
Locks of Love
Pantene Beautiful Lengths

After two weeks of waiting, the word has come down. Our documentary, “The Mixtress,” which we made for the International Documentary Challenge, was not chosen as one of the 14 finalists. Though a bit disappointed, we are encouraged that we just barely missed the cut.  The organizer of the competition wrote Diana and told her that we were “very, very” close to being a finalist and that distributors will be watching all the films, so there is still a chance something will come of it.  Out of more than 100 films in preliminary competition, our documentary was one of the films that went down to the wire before it was finally voted out of competition. Here are a few things that the judges had to say:

Judge #1:
The MIXTRESS. Good music. very interesting subject, especially given the unlawful nature of it! Wonderfully original. Definitely, best original story and original vision. I’d be interested to see later work of director. Very well done, congratulations!

Judge #4:
Well edited, and good use of music.

Judge #11:
Great use of genre — I’m going to look up the Mixtress right now. Love the Mixtress ninjas. Well developed story cutting to the personal story of the Mixtress at the right time.

So there you have it… close, but not quite. Diana and I are happy with the outcome. This was our first film competition, and I think we did a fine job. We will post the film on the site after the May 7 screening of the Portland entries at the Hollywood Theater. Thanks to everyone for their support!