One Foot In The Gutter

Hey folks... remember me?

I know, I know... I'm in the habit of saying "sorry it's been so long since I posted," but seems like the past few months have been even more "spotty" than usual - maybe because I've been posting nearly every day, but not on THIS blog. As the general election gets closer, I've been contributing a lot more on http://www.oregonfilmandtvdollars.com/ and encouraging workers in Oregon's film and TV industry to get to know their candidates for state-wide office.

BUT! With all that being said, I DO have a little something to share with you today... but only a little something :)

Around this time last year I shot a scene in Justin Koleszar's new film One Foot In The Gutter. Justin's fairly new to Portland, having (as of last year) just moved up from Arizona... but the script is amazing, and I was really happy to be part of his new feature. The film has been going through post for quite a while, and Justin just released this teaser yesterday:


So, keep an eye on http://www.onefootinthegutter.com/ for details on how the film is progressing, and when we can plan to see it released.

Hope you're all doing well...

-Harold

Oregon Film & TV Workers: Get To Know Your Friends In The State Legislature!

Hey everyone... it's me, rabble-rousing again, and urging my friends in Oregon's film and TV industry to get involved now in the upcoming state election. Remember, the governor's race isn't the only political contest happening this year (and besides, Dudley and Kitzhaber have both - finally - told us where they stand on supporting the film and TV industry.) There are also campaigns happening state-wide for seats in the Oregon House and Senate.

The other day, I got a fundraising letter in the mail from my state representative, Mike Schaufler. Mike was a BIG supporter in the push to get SB621 passed in the waning days of last year's Legislative session - he shuttled back and forth from the lobby to the House Floor in between every vote working us to make the bill work, and get the votes from his colleagues in the Oregon House.

I was happy to drop a small check in the mail to Mike's reelection campaign, because we need friends like him in the legislature. Here's a copy of the email I sent him last week:

Dear Mike

I got your fundraising letter in the mail yesterday, and of
course I'll be sending you a check - it's the least I can do after all the hard
work you did to help the Oregon film and TV industry get SB621 passed last year.
I'm also more than happy to put a sign up in my yard, and if you want an
endorsement, just ask (I signed that spot on the flap of the donation envelope.)

You might also consider visiting a new web site -
http://www.oregonfilmandtvdollars.com/ - and clicking the "Share Your Story"
link. We'd love to feature your support for the industry on that site; jot down
a few notes about what the industry brings to your district, the part you played
in increasing the OPIF cap with SB 621 and the "Local OPIF" (SB 863), and
forward a photo to me at this address - I'll be sure to highlight your work on
the site.

Thanks so much for everything you do for the district, and for
all of us here in Oregon. I'm VERY happy to support your re-election campaign!

Harold
http://www.haroldphillips.net/

I'd encourage everyone in Oregon's film and TV industry to contact your state Senators and Legislators (http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/) - and the candidates running to replace them! If you're reading this outside Oregon, then hey, do the same in your state!

Drop supporters of the industry a few bucks if you can afford it (believe me, I can't afford to send Mike a lot of money... but $25 makes more of an impression than $0...), and if you're not sure - ask them where they stand on supporting our industry!

Encourage them to use http://www.oregonfilmandtvdollars.com/ as a platform to share their support for the industry - it can be a good way for them to get the word out about their campaigns AND to help raise the visibility of our industry... so we all win!

But don't wait... now is the time to get involved, and get the candidates (and incumbents) thinking about everything our industry does for Oregon. Remember, the OPIF "sunsets" in 2012; we need as many friends in the legislature as we can get so the program is renewed. Now's the time to make sure those friends get elected.

Besides... it's Independence day weekend. Can you think of anything more patriotic than getting involved in the process?

Have a great weekend...

-Harold

Journeying Towards A New World...

Giggity Giggity Giggity... awright!

Hey Everyone

So, if you're a fan of Phil Vaira's or have been following the development of his new film The Fall of the New World, this is going to be old news... but in case you haven't heard:

About a week ago, Phil contacted me about playing a role in the upcoming film. He sent along the script, I read through it... and I was just plain "wowed." So, of course, I signed on!

The script is kind of hard to describe in genre terms... The film's tag-line gives you some clues - "A young heir fearfully hides his origin from a corrupted American empire." It's set in America... but it's not the America we live in today. It's set in a dark future... but it's not exactly "post apocalyptic," and it's not exactly "Sci Fi" (in the way some people would define "Sci Fi"). The main character in the film is a young actor I've been very happy to work with in the past, Bryce Walters... but it's not exactly a "kids movie."

You can see why I was intrigued by the script... and as time has gone on and I've been meeting with Phil to discuss the project, I've been even more impressed with the depth this movie has to offer. Don't get me wrong - there's action, there's drama, and there are thrills - this isn't a talky "art film" - but there's a lot going on under the surface that you might notice at first blush.

Obviously, I'm not the only one who's been impressed by this script... Phil's assembled quite a powerhouse cast, including Todd Robinson, Audrey Walker, Mercedes Rose, Jon San Nicolas and Jacqueline Gault (to name just a few). This is going to be quite an adventure!

Shooting starts in late summer... I'll keep you apprised of things as they develop!

Hope you're all doing well...

-Harold

Help Make The Paranormalists A Big-Screen Feature!

Hey folks

Remember Nicholas J. Hagen? He directed that film I mentioned a few posts back, Dark Horizon.

Well, Nick's always got something going on... last year, he shot the pilot for a new "Mocumentary-style" TV comedy called The Paranormalists. He pulled together some of the best actors in Portland for the cast, including my friend and frequent collaborator Mercedes Rose, Todd Robinson, Jennifer Skyler, Richard Topping, and Darius Pierce.

When the pilot and the follow-up episode "Vampire" hit the web, people went crazy! They loved the odd characters and even odder situations, and they were begging for more. Now, seven months later, Nick has plans to bring The Paranormalists back - as a big-screen feature!

You can be a big-time movie producer and lend a hand! Click here to visit Nick's Kickstarter Page for the project, watch his video presentation - and support your local filmmaker by passing him a few bucks to help finance the production!

I know I'm going to do my part to get this flick made... after those first couple of episodes, I can see the comedic potential! I hope you'll join me!

-Harold

12 Posts of Christmas: Support Your Local Filmmaker Edition

(Sorry, James - I did it to you again!)

So, as I said in my first post in this series, I'm not a big believer in the commercial aspects of the holiday season... the sense of anxiety people work themselves into about having enough money to spend to get the "right" gift for someone, the debt, and the commercial frenzy are actually, in my opinion, directly counter to the whole point of the season (well, ok, not just my opinion... Big-daddy Phillips put a comment about this on his blog the other day as well!)

That being said, gifts are a part of the season. Contrary to what the retail sector (and CNBC) would have you believe, however, the point of giving gifts isn't to load up on more material possessions, or to "win" by giving people the most expensive/ impressive/ quantity of gifts. The point is to give those you love a token to remind them that they have a spot in your hear and in your thoughts. The best holiday gift doesn't have to be big or expensive - it just has to be something that speaks to the person you give it to, or speaks to you about the person you're giving it to.

So, as we enter into the last week before Christmas (sorry Hanukkites - I didn't get this up in time for that holiday. My bad...), I've got a few suggestions for gifts for your loved ones before the online shipping deadlines hit. Now, you might remember the last time I defaced poor Mr. Garner's poster for Support Your Local Gunfighter... the holidays are a perfect time to support the actors and filmmakers in your area. Jon Reiss on Huffington Post had some great ideas for how to support independent film during the holiday season - I'd like to add a couple more Portland-based options to his list, if I might.

Now, of course, I'd love for you to visit the Store section on HaroldPhillips.net and consider sharing one of the films you find there... but there have been some great films produced in Portland that I haven't been in, and you or your loved ones might find them interesting.

First off, one of the most successful family-oriented films to come out of Portland in recent years is Phil Branson's popular movie Trainmaster. It's a great family film (featuring some fine local actors like Michael Biesanz, Jon Ashley Hall, and my good buddy Mercedes Rose )
about a group of kids who get trapped on a runaway train... it's thrilling AND inspiring! You can purchase it through Amazon, as well as other places.

Veterans, or those interested in World War II may want to take a look at Everyman's War, on sale through the film's web site through January 1 (at that point the national distributor takes over). The film has been hailed by almost everyone whose seen it since it won Best Picture at the GI Film Festival in Washington DC earlier this year.

Another film festival favorite, The Waiting List, (featuring my good friend Audrey Walker and, again, Mercedes Rose) is now available for order online at IndieFlix. Inspired by a true story, The Waiting List follows a group of parents (or, in one case, a potential future parent) confined for a night in a preschool where they vie for a spot on the attendance sheet for their child. The night takes a series of turns ranging from the uncomfortably crude to remarkably poignant and ultimately presents a riotous and genuine look at parenthood.

Finally, if you're into a wild adeline-filled ride, I'd highly recommend Todd Freeman's film Pray For Hell, which recently went on sale at Amazon and other retailers... this highly stylized and bloody vengeance tale isn't for the kids, but it's a thing of beauty.

Like I say, there's still time to order all these films and get them to you by Christmas Eve... consider giving the film-lover in your life something a little different (and giving your dollars to some local filmmakers!)

'Til next time...

-Harold

This Is The Life I Lead...

12:20 PM The phone rings. "Hi Harold, this is the producer on the short you were supposed to shoot today... yeah. We're not going to be able to get to your scene today - the first scenes of the day are taking longer than we expected to shoot, so we're going to have to reschedule."

"Oh, ok... well, cool. Call me when you wrap for the day and we'll talk about when we can re-schedule."

12:30 PM "Hey Trish... looks like I don't have a shoot today after all!"

"Great! Can you drive me, my sister and our friends who are going to see Hats down to the PCPA so we don't have to pay for parking?"

"Sure! Why not?"

12:35 PM Hm... A text message from my friend and frequent collaborator Mercedes Rose. "Hey! When do you wrap shooting today?" "Well, actually, my shoot got cancelled today. What's up?"

12:36 PM The phone rings. "Hey, it's Mercedes! So... __________ was supposed to shoot a short with me tonight, but he's sick and isn't able to do it. Wendy, the producer, asked if I know anyone... are you available?" "Uh... well, sure!" "Hey, Trish..."

12:40 PM "Hi, Harold! It's Wendy Downing! It's been a long time since we worked together... hey, Mercedes says you might be able to step in for our sick actor. Here's the details, and the location... can you come down right away to meet the production team? Oh, and you should probably bring some wardrobe options, too." "Uh... yeah. Just let me get my wife, her sister, and their friends to the play they're going to see... oh! And I'll have to leave set for about an hour so I can pick them up and bring them home - would that be ok?" "You mean you have to be wrapped in time to take them home?" "Oh no! I'll come back once I've taken them home - I just need an hour or so to deliver them." "Oh, ok... that'll be fine!"

12:45 PM Shave! Comb hair into more appropriate style for the character! Check my "go bag" to be sure I've got the standard equipment packed - black socks, t-shirt, towel, comb, etc.! Throw some some sweaters on top, a different colored pair of shoes, a different colored belt. Throw some shirts and pants into my garment bag. Pack it all in the car as Trish's sister and their friends start to arrive at the house.

1:10 PM Pack all six of us into my Prius (a tight fit but we manage) and drive to the PCPA. Find out when to pick them up. Drive to location and meet the production team. Work with the wardrobe person to find the clothing options.

2:55 PM Leave set to pick up Trish from Hats, which is slated to let out at 3:15.

3:15 PM Park and wait.

3:20 PM Still waiting. Text message from the producer of the short I was supposed to shoot proposing re-schedule dates.

3:30 PM Pick up Trish, her sister and their friends and get them home

4:05 PM Head back to set (stopping to get Mercedes Diet Coke - a must for my good friend when she's on set.

4:30 PM Arrive back at set, start shooting...

6:00 PM Lunch Break. Text message from Steve Coker re: Dex Dixon. Call him back, leave a message about talking tomorrow.

8:00 PM Shooting. Email from producer of the short I was supposed to shoot earlier - the proposed dates won't work for one of the other actors. Check my schedule on the Blackberry and give him other open dates in the next couple weeks.

12:30 PM Shooting wraps - a great time had by all, and great footage captured. Time to go home...

1:00 AM "Oh, Trish, sorry! Didn't mean to wake you up! Let me just put out the garbage for the morning pickup and I'll join you in bed..."

There ya go. Just a day in the life... not an uncommon day, in fact. Thankfully, I answered the phone, had my "go bag" packed, and was able to make the time for an opportunity when it came my way...

But now, really. I'm headed for bed.