Outside the Frame

In recent years, we’ve seen in a major increase in homelessness across the country, especially amongst young people. Portland saw a 200 percent increase in homeless youth in 2021 alone. City and state officials continue to scramble a response, but little has been done to mitigate this influx. Luckily, Outside the Frame (OTF) provides a ray of hope with their unique mission of empowering those who need it most through the magic of film.

Since 2015, OTF has provided educational and vocational programs that train homeless youth (Ages 16-25) to create their own films about issues that convey their experience. Not only are they delivering valuable job experience, but the sharing of these stories advocate systemic change while providing a creative and therapeutic outlet.

Partnering with the Oregon Made Creative Foundation has allowed OTF to expand their offerings through the Pathways program. This workforce development initiative identifies, recruits and places candidates from under-resourced communities into paid positions on film sets across Oregon. Learn more about this important platform here: http://www.oregonmade.org/workforce-development.html

OTF projects have been showcased all over the city in venues large and small. Prior to the pandemic, they’ve sold-out the Portland Armory, so make sure to get your tickets quick. We highly recommend that you check out their Vimeo channel to see their amazing work that not only entertains but makes our community a better place. Watch now: https://vimeo.com/otfpdx

If your interested in volunteering your services as an industry professional, or working with OTF, reach out to them here: https://outsidetheframe.org/work-with-us

When Your Eyes Grow Wings

Recreational drone use has never been more popular, so that "pizza delivery by drone" business idea you had might not be such a pie-in-the-sky dream after all. They create innovative perspectives by giving our eyes the ability to grow wings, which has now been harnessed and refined by every major industry in our economy. Over the last decade, that new perspective has exploded in the film world. As drone accessibility and battery life continue to grow, they’re use in media production is becoming as common as the tripod. With 900,000 new non-military drones registered in the US last year, annual sales have skyrocketed into a $12 billion industry.

A plethora of online tutorials and a host of affordable introductory models, have made it easy to become an amateur drone operator. Here’s a quick video guide that describes some of the common ways they’re being used in film today: https://youtu.be/BdtHWr_nDeU

Hollywood has utilized helicopters for aerial footage since the late 1940’s, but the cost of operation has always limited their use. They also can’t fly through confined spaces like today’s drones can. These previously unattainable angles and close-ups are what really set the two apart visually. As a result, cinematic drone footage is pushing the medium to new levels.

Increased air traffic has caused obvious public safety concerns, so the Federal Aviation Administration has had to place a lot of restriction on who can fly drones and where they can fly them. Drone operators on set typically need to be FAA-Certified and can only operate an officially registered drone that weighs less than 55lbs. After watching this drone fail video, it seems like government oversight is a good thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3iML1HgVGI

Drone shots have become so popular that DIY filmmakers have learned how to recreate them without actually using one. Maybe you can’t afford to buy one, or maybe you’re filming in a no-fly zone, either way, you still have some options. Mounting a camera on a really tall stick, a fishing pool, a kite, or a zipline can have a similar effect. Check it out: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CMNCsdqpkoA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

We’ve even created synchronized light shows with an armada of light-up drones that fly around to create pre-programmed images. How will we use them next? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44KvHwRHb3A

Here's a clip from a very familiar location that our friend Brian Grubb captured with his drone. Can you guess what famous building is being demolished? https://youtu.be/80Popohests

Industry Spotlight: Juliana Lukasik

We had the opportunity to chat with Juliana Lukasik and learn about her recent work in the non-profit world. With clients like Nintendo and Banfield Pet Hospital, her production company, @Large Films, has been a staple of Portland’s commercial production scene for over 20 years. Cine Rent West has had the pleasure of hosting several of her projects, so we were especially excited to hear about what she’s been up to.

As an award-winning director, Juliana has fiercely advocated for gender & age equality in the media industry. Her passion for community building and volunteerism recently led her to pivot from @Large Films and she is now the Senior Director of Communications & Public Affairs at Central City Concern (CCC). Since the late 70’s, CCC has been helping Portlanders who struggle with the pain and harm of homelessness by utilizing an integrated system of compassionate care.

Non-profits aren’t always the best at promoting their services, but that’s where Juliana comes in. Her vast experience with external branding in the advertising industry has allowed CCC to refine their message and connect with their community more effectively. After being hired in March of 2020, her first day on the job was the very same day Governor Brown issued the pandemic shut down order. It’s been all hands-on-deck ever since as COVID’s economic fallout continues to exacerbate homelessness throughout the city.

Battling the narrative has been challenging as news media outlets continue to focus on clickbait tactics. That sensationalism creates a negative press cycle that often highlights failures rather than successes for organizations like CCC. A large part of her new role is highlighting those success stories amongst their clients to ensure that they’re not overlooked. Since joining CCC, she’s directed two documentaries that do just that, with more projects in the pipeline. If you’d like to learn about the many ways you can help Juliana and her team at CCC, please check the link below and get involved:

https://centralcityconcern.org/how-to-help/

Happy Holidays from Cine Rent West

We hope you’ve all made the best of this past year. Portland's production community is the lifeblood that keeps vendors like us alive and kicking. For that, we're eternally grateful and beyond thankful for each and every one of you. January of 2021 marked our twenty-year anniversary, and even amid a global pandemic, we still managed to have a lot of fun. That’s just how we do things around here!

Hosting an epic music video shoot for Sleater-Kinney was definitely a bright spot. Featuring Portlandia’s Carrie Brownstein, they’re considered to be one of the PNW’s most iconic bands. They just released their 10th studio album, and the music video was produced by local production company, Nocturnal Uniform, which is one of the few WOC-owned in town.

In addition, Napoleon Dynamite’s Jon Heder graced our stage on a recent project with Australia’s leading employment marketplace, Seek. They offered up a healthy dose of nostalgia with a nod to the infomercial renaissance of the 90’s.

Prior to that, we got to work with AND1, who sponsors one of our favorite Blazers, Norman Powell. His proximity to the studio is what prompted the visit and we got some great shots of Norman’s new shoe line, which he helped design.

Not only did we continue our live stream partnership with our neighbors, MeyerPro, but we were also able to work on several Heart & Hustle projects for organizations like the Urban League of Portland and Skanner News.

Lastly, we’d like to send a huge thank you to all the clients, talent, and crew that came into the studio this year. Ensuring strong health and safety guidelines has been our top priority. Your willingness to help in achieving that goal has been greatly appreciated. As we look back on another great year of studio magic, we hope you all come back and make more of it next year. More importantly, we look forward to the day when we see your smiling faces (literally) once again.

Happy Holidays! See you in 2022!


Sincerely,


Chris Crever
Brynden McNew
Trevor Forbess

Demanding More

When IATSE’s contract with the AMPTP expired over the summer, it set the stage for a tumultuous fall with several rounds of heated negotiations. Employers narrowly averted a strike by conceding a last-minute deal with union leadership. For several months, union members have demanded a higher minimum wage, more favorable off-hours in between shifts, and an increase in pay for non-broadcast streaming shows.

If you’re unfamiliar, IATSE is the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and we at Cine Rent West fully support their position. AMPTP stands for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which is comprised of Hollywood heavyweights like Disney, Warner, Paramount, Netflix and many other household names. These two entities have a rich history of conflict. In fact, at a certain point in the 1930’s, organized crime leaders colluded with several major movie studios and seized control of IATSE leadership. This left every union member with a terrible contract and an expensive membership fee, which led to more non-union productions with unsafe working conditions.

Today, their relationship is perhaps more cordial, but there still seems to be a fair amount of exploitation going on. If the new deal is ratified, low-wage IATSE members would gain a 60 percent increase in hourly minimum wages and all members would receive a 9 percent wage increase by the end of the three-year contract. In addition, there will be changes to meal breaks and rest periods, with improved compensation from streaming services, but there aren’t any other specifics at this time. Many union members believe that the new contact hasn’t gone far enough, but union president, Matthew Loeb, advocated to ratify.

Last month, the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins gave the world a sobering view on workplace safety. As union membership continues to decline across every major industry in the USA, let’s not forget where we’d be without the labor movement, which has been union led for the last 150 years. That's right, sick leave, meal breaks, and overtime haven't always been a thing. Make sure to follow @IATSE to stay up to date on more contract news!

You can visit their website here: https://iatse.net

Nostalgia Marketing at it's Finest

Our recent project with Australia’s leading employment marketplace, Seek, uses a healthy dose of nostalgia to help utilize your skills in the workplace. Channeling the infomercial renaissance of the 90’s, the campaign stars comedic actor Jon Heder, who plays his iconic role of Napoleon Dynamite from the 2004 box office smash.

Using a series of separate sets in our studio back in August, production did a great job of letting Jon do the heavy lifting in each scene. It made us want to vote for Pedro and standup to Uncle Rico all over again. Employing nostalgia marketing isn’t a new trick, but it’s a powerful one. Ever wonder why the hashtag #TBT is so popular?

Tapping into that sentimental longing of the past creates a fast connection with your audience, and this campaign did just that with flying colors and strong dance moves. In addition to the :53 spot, Seek also utilized some of the assets to create a “Skills Superstar” competition where Jon will announce an $89k giveaway to the winner!

Watch it right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u18K7w6VtGs

Top-Shelf BTS

Working at a film studio will quickly turn you into a connoisseur of fine BTS content. There's something alluring about that secret look you get on set that dispels the illusion. One still photo can reveal the synergy that exists between cast and crew, providing a nearly full description of how the shot was made. So, for all you fellow BTS appreciators out there, we have a special treat this month. We’ve curated a collection of some of our favorites from the world’s most prolific film sets.

1) Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

It’s hard to feel scared for Luke on the ledge when you can see the plies of padding beneath him, but look at the magnitude of the set and what it took to put that together.

2) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Miniatures in motion picture are so fascinating when the perspective of their true scale is shown. They’re often used when a scene is too expensive or difficult to create in reality. Try to remember this photo the next time you watch the battle for Helm’s Deep and see if you can pick out the miniature shots.

3) Titanic

In 1997, the world had Titanic fever. Be honest, did you see it more than once?Would you still be teary eyed for Jack if you knew James Cameron was treading water right next to him?


4) Kill Bill: Volume 1

There’s something about a smiling and nearly headless Lucy Liu that gives this famous Tarantino sword duel new meaning. You may need to check the length of her forehead the next time you see Uma Thurman’s sword slash.

5) Alien

Nothing to see here, just a tired Alien taking five on an apple box. The way they're hunched over makes you realize how top-heavy that costume must must have been.

Cleaning Up the Neighborhood

When neighbors join forces and get organized, good things happen in the community. Thanks to SOLVE, Calbag Metals, and the Northwest Industrial Business Association (NIBA), we did just that with yesterday’s massive cleanup party. Our neighborhood’s proximity to the Willamette River makes it especially important to remove garbage before it heads downstream and into the ocean. Every piece of plastic traveling through our waterways is a threat to aquatic life. As it continues to erode in the water, microplastic particles can be traced back to your seafood dinner in every corner of the world.

Healthy rivers and oceans aren’t the only reason we banded together yesterday. It’s also an issue of health and safety in our streets. As houselessness continues to rise across the country, any local resident can tell you that Portland is no exception. Since the root causes are deeply systemic, the issue will likely continue to get worse before it gets better. That realization alone makes volunteer cleanup events like this more important than ever.

SOLVE has been orchestrating this important work across the state since 1969. In addition to organizing the cleanups, they also plant native trees and shrubs, while removing invasive species to help support our local pollinators. They protect the very things that constitute Oregon’s natural beauty and its more fragile than any of us would like to admit. Please consider signing up for a cleanup party in your neighborhood. Rolling up your sleeves and donating your time is good for the soul. Learn more here: https://www.solveoregon.org/solvecalendar

Thanks again to our neighbors at Calbag Metals and the Northwest Industrial Business Association for organizing the event and hosting the epic afterparty at Hammer & Stitch. Let’s do it again soon!

Portland's New Livestream Hub

Do you remember our upstairs insert stage, Studio B? Well, thanks to our friend Aaron Nigel Smith, it’s evolved into something far greater. As co-founder and artistic director with 1 World Chorus, he’s harnessed the power of music and telecommunication, and transformed it into a community-based livestream hub. However, producing a series of fun participatory educational programs has only been the half of it. He’s also formed the Portland Livestream Network, which has given local musicians the ability to create high-quality livestream content amid the pandemic. Like Studio B’s original function, Aaron has also made it available for smaller productions. It’s still the perfect place for those tabletop product shoots and interviews!

Since 2009, 1 World Chorus has delivered educational experiences that empower children worldwide with the magic of music. As a non-profit organization, their musical initiatives and award-winning discography provide a much-needed voice for culture and experience. It always brightens our day when we catch a snippet of a live song during the work week.

This summer, they’ll be partnering with the Big Up Show in hosting a free film camp for Portland’s youth. Participants will help produce segments of the show while learning film technique, camera basics, maintenance, and lighting. For more details on registration, see flyer below and visit: https://bigupfilmcamp.org/

As a professional musician, Aaron has spent the last 15 years in the cross-section of music and education. His most recent album, In Our America, made it’s debut at #1 on the Billboard Reggae Charts. Prior to that, his 2012 release, Welcome to the Village, was awarded the Parents’ Choice Award and received praise from People Magazine and USA Today as “one of the best children’s albums of the year”.

Having so much experience in one place has made the Portland Livestream Network into a magnet for creation and collaboration. With top-notch Blackmagic gear, they have everything you’d need to record, sweeten and broadcast your project live on the internet. They also make it flexible, giving you the option of utilizing the in-house technical team, or doing it all yourself. For more information on booking and rates, make sure to check out their website: https://portlandlivestream.com/

Music Video Vibes

One of the most iconic bands to come out of the PNW recently graced our studio floor with their music video shoot for “Worry With You”. Featuring Portlandia’s Carrie Brownstein, Sleater-Kinney is poised to release their 10th studio album this year and we couldn’t be more excited to have been a part of this production. Their musical roots run back to 1994 in Olympia, Washington, where they first started shaping the American indie rock scene from a practice space on Sleater-Kinney Road. Since then, they’ve been called the “best American punk band ever” by Rolling Stone Magazine.

Produced and directed by Alberta Poon, the video gives a snapshot of a young couple trapped in quarantine. Her choice on using the short 6ft. set walls did a great job of illustrating that claustrophobic feeling we all got during lockdown. Brownstein’s comedic performance as a fitness instructor left us all wanting to work on our front kicks, while her bandmate Corin Tucker played a quirky tincture hawker on TV. Their two-day shoot was a fun one and we hope to have Alberta back in the studio as soon as possible.

Alberta's production company, Nocturnal Uniform, is one of the few WOC-owned in town and they've done some great work recently with some of Portland's staple eateries, Sizzle Pie and Potato Champion. In addition to creating top-notch video content, she also co-wrote a short film called Crouching Comic with Katie Nguyen, who was just awarded WWeek's funniest person in Portland. It's slated to release later this year and you can find more information here: https://crouchingcomic.com

Sprinter Envy

We recently hosted the Adventure Wagon team at the studio and their fully customizable systems are the real deal. All of the products create versatile functionality on the road, giving you a solid foundation for the ultimate van mod! The only problem is that we now all have a bad case of Sprinter envy…

Everything is modular so the sleep and storage options are endless, allowing you to change setups on a whim. During production, the crew kept the van and camera stationary and cycled through each setup. Snow, sand, dirt, you name it, their systems can cater to your adventureing needs. We’re excited to see the final spot and we’ll definitely share it, but in the meantime, for all of you would be van lovers out there, make sure to check them out here: https://adventurewagon.com/

Finding the Silver Lining

Do you remember how you felt last April? Our calendar was eerily empty, and our soundstage had never been so silent. We know that reminiscing on last year’s dumpster fire can feel a bit gloomy, but it’s important to remember the lessons we’ve learned. We’re not out of the woods yet and let’s face it, pre-covid normal won’t be comin’ back anytime soon.

Changes in daily life and consumer preference will constantly create structural shifts in our industry, but you can usually find something positive on the flipside of a negative outcome. Our silver lining has been live-streaming events that would have normally been in person. Before COVID, we never would have discovered it and it’s kept us busy with a host of new clients. Live event streaming has only become more common, so we’re anticipating an increase of similar projects in the future.

With more people at home, video gaming and streaming service providers saw an overall revenue increase. That must certainly be a silver lining to all of the lost revenue we’ve seen across the event, tradeshow and exhibition landscape. That sector will likely need at least two years to recover and get back to they’re 2019 levels of revenue. Have you discovered any silver linings this past year? We want to hear about them!

Luckily, there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel and it’s starting to come into focus. As vaccine eligibility opens up to all Oregonians 16 and older on April 19th, please make sure to schedule your appointment and go get your damn shot! Don’t ruin it for the rest of us. Make sure to talk some sense into anyone who says otherwise. Without a rapid response, that glimmer of light will stay soft and distant.

If we play our cards rights, we might actually be able to attend Cine Gear and NAB this Fall. Both events have been a staple for the media and entertainment industry and serve as an engine that drives innovation. They were sorely missed last year and will likely be postponed again if vaccines aren’t administered quickly.

At CRW, providing a safe and comfortable setting will always be a top priority, so we’ll be continuing to implement the CDC’s recommended health and safety guidelines indefinitely.

Find more information on how to schedule your vaccination at the link below and encourage your friends and family to do the same. https://covidvaccine.oregon.gov

Please send your silver lining(s) to:
production@cinerentwest.com