08/16/2008
I know it's been a while since I've written, so I wanted to take a moment to send a quick message to update you on the goings-on with the Richards family here in the Pacific Northwest.
Rebecca is now working both at the High Desert ESD as a Child Behavior Specialist (going into her 7th year) and is coming up on her one-year anniversary at St. Charles Medical Center (Bend, OR) as an ER Social Worker. The schedule can sometimes be difficult to manage, but she loves seeing that her career is taking full advantage of her advanced degree and training.
Nick was here for most of the summer this year, despite his busy social life in Texas, and he just left this Wednesday morning for his return flight. Can you believe he's 15? He was a thorough joy while here and we miss him terribly when he leaves. Connor (4 years old Aug 27) and Alex (2 years old Nov 12) connected with him completely this summer and they all had a great time playing and giggling.
Connor will begin his 2nd year at the local Montessori Center and is thriving there, just as we hoped he would.
Yeah, I know, I've got to make some time to post a few hundred new pictures of the kids. I have no excuse.
However, it has been a really busy summer this year.
This year is my first anniversary as President of Film Oregon Alliance, the nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding film, broadcast and new media production in Central Oregon and it's been a thrill for me to be part of something so meaningful to the region. I completed the first phase of the website in April and its Production Resources Directory is being used extensively by producers throughout the state to recruit cast and crew for their projects.
In fact, several members of Film Oregon Alliance were hired to work on the feature film "Extremely Used Cars: There Is No Hope" and I was privileged to serve as the film's director. The shoot schedule was an incredible challenge for all with crew that had never previously worked together (many had never worked on a film before!) and many first-time actors, but we got some great shots and the film is now in post-production with an estimated April 2009 release date. Below is a news release from Film Oregon Alliance regarding the project. You can also check out my production company's website to view a quick down-and-dirty video clip (the video and audio haven't been cleaned yet) that I've just posted: www.DolphinHeartProductions.com
We've added the short suspense/thriller "Open" (based on a really great story by Elsin Ann Perry) back to our schedule and I'm so eager to get this exciting project made. We're beginning to assemble interested crew members, we'll go into pre-production and casting in early October and, if all goes well, we'll shoot in November.
We hope you're having a wonderful summer and urge you to send us a line when you have a chance so we can catch up with what's going on with you!
Virtually,
Craig Richards and family
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Stan Roach, Film Oregon Alliance Vice President & Co-founder, stan@filmoregon.org 541-771-5440
Film Oregon Alliance Members Tapped for Feature Film
Director Craig Richards lines up the shot with actors Aaron Kissinger and Mark Donnell.
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(Bend, OR) – Film Oregon Alliance members and Central Oregon residents Craig Richards, Aaron Kissinger, Greg Ouellette, Peter Daucsavage and Rebecca Pinard Richards have each been hired to work on the feature-length comedy "Extremely Used Cars: There Is No Hope" currently filming in the Corvallis/Albany areas of western Oregon. Richards of Dolphin Heart Productions, a director and actor who is also co-founder and president of FOA is the film's Director, Kissinger is 1st Assistant Director, Ouellette of FilmHeist Productions is Director of Photography, Daucsavage is Sound Mixer and actor Pinard Richards makes her feature film debut as Denise James.
The movie, written by Mark Donnell of Corvallis, Oregon, is a loose sequel to the 1980 film "Used Cars" that starred Kurt Russell. The movie is being filmed at several locations throughout Corvallis and Albany. In this film, Kurt Russell look-alike Louie Vannie plays the part of Rudy Russo, the main character in the 1980 film.
According to Richards, "We were contracted for the two weeks of principle photography and it's great to know the effort to create more work for film industry professionals in this region is reaping the rewards we intended through the efforts of FOA, its sponsors, members and volunteers. Crew members were contacted directly from the Production Resources Directory at www.FilmOregon.org."
"For a zany comedy aimed at a college-age audience," continued Richards, "the film has many unexpected elements including action sequences, explosions, stunts and visual effects, unusual for an independent project of this genre. Once we finish shooting, we'll go right into post-production and the producers intend to take it to the Sundance Film Festival, where "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" and "Napoleon Dynamite" were first screened.
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About Film Oregon Alliance:
Film Oregon Alliance is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade organization that serves as an economic engine for the area to create more opportunities for film, television, radio and new media professionals to work locally, to provide educational opportunities and to benefit those who provide a wide range of products and services to the industry. For more information, visit www.FilmOregon.org, call 541-504-4142 or email contact@filmoregon.org
Ian Reed Kesler as car salesman Justin Rhoads resists arrest during a fight sequence.
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One of six vehicles that were destroyed by fire-bombs during filming of "Extremely Used Cars."
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