02.2016
11
Industry Day in Salem Oregon Film Office Executive Director, Tim Williams, and OMPA members trekked to Salem on February 2nd to support increasing funds for the incentive program (OPIF). With only two weeks of notice, we had over 75 industry professionals spend their day in Salem meeting with legislators and sharing their stories about how a vibrant film industry is good for Oregon’s economy. Members arrived from Ashland, Astoria, Bend, Eugene, Hood River and Portland. Thank you! It was a busy day replete with making new connections and giving our legislators a glimpse into how many lives are positively affected by the industry. OMPA’s lobbyists were able to secure one half of the State Capitol’s Gallery. We filled tables with professionals from animation and technology to makeup artistry to drone cameras. Christian Kane, actor from The Librarians, interviewed legislators on camera. Danny Bruno, actor from Grimm, knocked on legislators’ doors and conducted fun, informative interviews.
Two days later OMPA returned to Salem for our hearing in the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee. Tim Williams, along with producers Sean Marc Nipper and Neil Kopp, testified before the committee. Since February is a short session, OMPA continued to encourage our members to send letters of support to their legislators. At date of publication of this CallSheet we have passed out of the Senate Finance and Revenue committee and are moving to the floor for a vote. The bill will then move to the House side for another committee review. OMPA will continue to update our members through our weekly emails. Please continue to share letters with your legislators about how the media industry has affected you and your family.
OMPA Member Christina Kortum of Ravenous Studios works her special effects makeup magic.
Christian Kane and OMPA Board Member Jose Behar talk with Senator Betsy Johnson.