Learn Filmmaking in Portland

Portland, Oregon is an ideal place to learn filmmaking. The city has beautiful atmospheres and a decidedly artistic vibe. Further, the state of Oregon has everything from gorgeous coastlines, mountains to deserts. All of this scenery lends itself to filmmaking. In fact, Moviemaker Magazine listed Portland as one of the best cities in the US to be a filmmaker.

Some notable filmmakers have hailed from this city in the Pacific Northwest. These filmmakers include Todd Haynes, who is most well-known for his movies, Safe, Poison, I’m Not There and Far From Heaven, which was nominated for an Academy Award. There is also Gus Van Sant, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Good Will Hunting as well as for Milk starring Sean Penn. Gus Van Sant’s film Elephant won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003. Another filmmaker from Portland is Scott Coffey, who directed the 2005 movie Ellie Parker as well as several music videos.

Portland has the Oregon Film Office, which provides incentives for filmmakers looking to shoot in Oregon. There is also the Oregon Media Production Association, and the Northwest Film Center. Another benefit to Portland is that the cost of living is significantly less than it would be in a city like Los Angeles or New York. This means that Portland filmmakers can dedicate more of their money to making films!

Newspace Center for Photography

If you are looking for classes in filmmaking, Newspace is an ideal option. The school offers a wide variety of digital media classes as well as instruction for how to work on the film medium as well. In addition to the courses, the school also provides gallery exhibits, and artist lectures.

The Northwest Film Center

Not only does the Northwest Film Center host a variety of film festivals throughout the year including the Portland International Film Festival, Northwest Film and Video Festival and Jewish Film Festival, the center also provides an array of classes for adults. Further, you can also rent equipment directly from The Northwest Film Center for a very reasonable price. The classes include “16mm Cinematography in the Digital Age,” “Screenwriting,” “Shooting Digital Video,” and “Art of Filmmaking.” Courses typically last about 3 months and are roughly $800 + lab fees. If you are looking to learn filmmaking in Portland, you will definitely want to spend some time at the Northwest Film Center.

The Northwest Film Center also has a special “young filmmakers program” geared towards kids and teens. There are summer camp courses as well as spring classes. Each child will actually make a movie during the class that will be available on DVD.

Saturday Academy

If you are looking for yet more filmmaking classes in Portland for kids, he Saturday Academy offers classes in filmmaking and animation year-round. This is a perfect option for kids as the classes are appropriate for grades 5-7 or grades 9-12. Classes are held at Portland State University. Tuition for 5 Saturdays is less than $200.

Have you ever taken a filmmaking class? If so, did you complete your own movie?

Peter Mitchell is a writer living in Portland, Oregon.