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ALTERNATIVES to Jingle Bells Think there's nothing to do on Christmas but eat, open presents and watch football? Actually, there are plenty of possibilities for the tradition-flouting reveler. Here are some suggestions. 1. Fly somewhere: Air fares are extremely reasonable on Christmas day. A one-way plane ticket from PDX to Los Angeles is almost $200 cheaper on Christmas Day than it is on Christmas Eve. Plus, the airport isn't crowded, and you probably won't have to sit next to a large
family. 2. Ski: Lift lines are usually shorter on Christmas Day (all the local ski areas are open), and the lodges prepare cafeteria-style stuffing, cranberry mold and sliced turkey with gravy. 3. Read: Powell's Books will be open from 10 am to 7 pm on Christmas Day. 4. Drink: Most of Portland's neighborhood taverns are open on Christmas Day. Hotel bars--try Jake's, the Mallory, the Benson, the Heathman, or the new Portland Steak and Chop House in the Embassy Suites--are not only open, but also full of jolly travelers, and most have specials on winter ales. 5. Listen to hip-hop: Local acts Izaya, G-ism, Kenny Mack, Cool Nutz, B Sharp, Mack & Rob, Maniac Loc and Mixmaster KD will perform at Satyricon for the second-annual holiday hip-hop hoedown. 6. See a movie: Act III theaters are open, and Good Will Hunting, the new Gus Van Sant film, finally opens all over Portland on Dec. 25, along with several other Oscar-wanting blockbusters.
--Brooke DeNisco
GUS AND PORTLAND: TWO GREAT TASTES THAT TASTE GREAT TOGETHER
Gus Van Sant is Portland's unofficial cinematic ambassador. Has it helped the local film industry? As Van Sant's latest, Good Will Hunting (see Screen review), is sure to thrust him into the mainstream, WW asked David Woolson, executive director of the Oregon Film & Video Office (a state agency responsible for marketing Oregon as a film location and resource for film and television), to explain Van Sant's effect upon his adopted hometown. WW: What's the relationship between Gus Van Sant and Oregon's film industry? David Woolson: He is obviously very helpful to us in terms of our efforts to keep and put Portland on the map as far as Hollywood is concerned. He also works intimately with relatively small crews, in comparison to productions of similar sizes and budgets. So most of his crew have moved up very rapidly through their respective positions, whether through construction, props, wardrobe, whatever. Gus is clearly identified as being in Portland, and he's pleased to work from here and go to Hollywood just when he needs something. Has the controversial nature of his films had a detrimental effect in luring productions here? I wouldn't say he gives Portland a negative image. He has done some hard-hitting films, but I think there's just an honesty to them that really stands out. Whether a person loves one of his films or not, there's always a certain level of appreciation in how he makes them. I've never gotten a reaction like "After seeing Drugstore Cowboy, there's no way I'm filming in Portland!" Is he someone who "gives back?" I think he's been a contributor, not just with the film-production community, but with his time and efforts across the board. There's a lot of causes, like Outside In, that he believes in very sincerely. Some folks, once they taste success, it really changes them. Gus seems pretty unaffected, very committed to the community. Has his success made Portland a sought-after location? His success hasn't directly resulted in other projects, but I think he's a very good testament that Portland has a thriving, creative production community. While our business is generally "let's hustle Hollywood and get shoots here," we're very interested in showing how we can grow film and video from inside and out. People like Gus are key to get that happening.
--Dale E. Basye |
