Longbaugh

The creative director of this week's Longbaugh Film Festival in Portland points out why its filmmakers are indicative of the future of the film business. (Some things never change though, like corporate sponsorship. You'll notice that Longbaugh is sponsored by Comcast.) He makes several valid points. "Come on, who out there over the age of 30 would have ever thought there would be a time when you could watch a movie (or make one, for that matter) on a phone? That's some crazy-ass Jetsons nonsense right there."

There's always been some hip shit happening in PDX, which is why I still adore our former city (and Jeffrey's hometown). Here's an interview with three Portland companies that are making the world a better place for independent filmmakers:

• Making an independent film is tough enough. Once it's in the can, how do you get it distributed? Here's one way--Film Baby. They sell DVD's by independent filmmakers and take only a $4/DVD cut.
• DVD Talk features reviews not only of mainstream films, but also for undiscovered gems.
• Audiocinema is an arts collective inspired by Andy Warhol's Factory that's only about six months old. Although the services offered at this Southeast Portland warehouse are geared primarily toward musicians, they have much to offer a struggling filmmaker.