• Market Oregon as a filming location
• Recruit out-of-state productions
• Serve as a liaison to production groups
• Help build the indigenous film, video, and multimedia industry
• Advise other governmental entities which are creating filming regulations
• Build partnerships with local communities
• Provide consumer protection information
• Serve as a spokesperson for the industry

Oregon’s in-state film and video industry has been growing steadily and out-of-state dollars are spread throughout the business communities in filming locations including hotels, restaurants, lumber yards, hardware stores, office supplies, antique stores, retail shops, and wages to Oregonians.

 

If you’d like to see the data for yourself, view the recent economic impact studies:

• An Economic Impact Analysis of the Oregon Film and Television Industry in 2011
  - Compiled by Northwest Economic Research Center (NeRC)»
  
  
• An Economic Impact Analysis of the Oregon Film and Video Industry in 2007»

Vince Porter

Executive Director
vince@oregonfilm.org

 

Prior to joining the Film Office, Vince was Vice President of Production for Showtime Networks. Vince supervised the production of over 160 episodes of television series and more than 32 television movies. For the last two years of his twelve-year tenure at Showtime, Vince was in charge of the production department for Showtime's award winning Original Programming. Series under his supervision included "Dexter", "Californication", and "The Tudors". A native of Indiana, Vince graduated from Ball State University in 1992 with a B.S. degree in Telecommunications. Prior to his tenure at Showtime, Vince was Manager of Production at ABC Productions.

 

 

Bob Schmaling

Senior Project Manager
bob@oregonfilm.org

 

Bob Schmaling is a native Oregonian with over 30 years of experience within the Oregon production industry. He has worked as key grip, General Manager of Pacific Grip & Lighting, as well as three-term board member, two-term President and Interim Executive Director of the Oregon Media Production Association (OMPA). In these various roles Bob has worked closely with numerous commercial productions, feature films, television and documentary productions. His broad range of experience within the production industry, his understanding of the industry’s importance to Oregon as well as his personal connection to the state serve the production industry and the Film Office well. As the Film Office Senior Project Manager his projects include “Ring 2,” “The Music Within,” “Feast of Love,” “Untraceable,” “Twilight,” “The River Why,” “TNT's Leverage Series” and “Walk In My Shoes.”

 

 

Jane Ridley

Project Manager
jane@oregonfilm.org

 

Jane was born and raised in England, where she received a BA Honors in Film, Television and Sociology from the University of London, Goldsmith’s College. She joined the Oregon Film Office after nineteen years of broad experience in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles and the UK, including six years in development for a production company with a first look deal at Warner Bros. Jane moved to Portland in 2002.

 

 

Nathan Cherrington

IT/Creative Manager
nathan@oregonfilm.org

 

Nathan Cherrington has served the with the Oregon's Governor's Office of Film and Television as the IT/Creative Manager since 2008. He has a a BA Honors in Communication & Film Production from George Fox University and a background in IT and graphic design. He also serves on the advisory board for ITT Technical Institute. Nathan is excited to be a part of the growing film & television industry in Oregon.

Gordon Sondland

Chair

 

Gordon Sondland is President and CEO of the Aspen Companies (“Aspen”). Aspen is engaged in sub-prime mortgage and mezzanine lending, real estate development and ownership (for its own account), lodging and heavy equipment manufacturing. Aspen and its predecessor companies were founded in 1986 and employ through their subsidiaries and affiliates approximately 1,100 people in Washington, Oregon and California. Past board service includes WestCoast Hotels and South Fork Hydroelectric Company.

 

 

Cynthia Whitcomb

 

Screenwriter Cynthia Whitcomb has been a successful television screenwriter and producer for over 20 years, and also serves as president of Willamette Writers. Cynthia has written scripts for Television and screen including, “Buffalo Girls”, “I Know My First Name is Steven”, “Degree of Guilt”, “Sinatra”, “Tenn/P.I.”, “A View from Saturday”, and “Selma, Lord Selma” among others. She also has written a book titled “The Writers Guide to Writing Your Screenplay” and teaches screenwriting workshops in the Portland area.

 

 

Gus Van Sant

 

Van Sant is perhaps Oregon’s best-known filmmaker, and counts many award wins and nominations in career, including a sweep of the top awards for best film and best director at Cannes Film Festival 2004, and a 1998 Oscar nomination for best director for “Good Will Hunting.” Oregon itself has starred in many of Van Sant’s films, serving as the backdrop for “Mala Noche,” “Drugstore Cowboy,” “My Own Private Idaho, “ “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues,” and “Elephant”. Van Sant also directed the acclaimed films “Finding Forrester” and “To Die For.” He has guided both independent and studio films and brings a wealth of experience and contacts to the Oregon Film Office Board.

 

 

Edward Asner

 

Perhaps best known for his comedic and dramatic crossover as the gruff but soft-hearted journalist Lou Grant, the role he originated on the landmark TV news room comedy The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Ed Asner is one of the most honored actors in the history of television. Mr. Asner has been the recipient of seven Emmy Awards and 16 nominations, as well as five Golden Globe Awards and served as National President of the Screen Actors Guild for two terms. He has consistently served and committed himself to the rights of the working performer in addition to advocating for human rights, world peace, environmental preservation and political freedom. A passionate and informed spokesperson for the causes he supports, Asner is a frequent speaker on labor issues and a particular ally for the acting industry's older artists.

 

 

Steve Oster

 

Before moving to Portland, Oregon in 1999 Steve lived in Los Angeles and worked as a film/television producer for 20 years. He produced over 200 hours of television as well two feature films and his experience includes projects for CBS, ABC, NBC, HBO, PBS, Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox. Steve was the supervising producer of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine", a show which earned 32 Emmy nominations and won five, and was a consulting producer on the HBO series "Carnivale".

The following are the biannual financial budget reports for the Oregon Film & Video Office from 2005 through 2011.

• Oregon Film & Video Office Biannual Financial Budget Report 2005-2007
• Oregon Film & Video Office Biannual Financial Budget Report 2007-2009
• Oregon Film & Video Office Biannual Financial Budget Report 2009-2011
• Oregon Film & Video Office Biannual Financial Budget Report 2011-2013


• 2013 Legislative Briefing»