And I’m not talking about a convertible here, although I’m a big fan of those little Italian jobs they call Spiders. Nope, for this one, it’s time to throw a little attention over to the NW Film Center and a small problem. Well, a “small” problem that’s become a big problem.
Top Down – know it? It’s fantastic.
Safe to say most of us VFX’ers are film fanatics. For the self-professed “filmies,” NW Film Center runs screenings each summer (once the weather rolls around to “guaranteed sun”) on the rooftop parking deck of the Hotel Deluxe, which in and of itself will make you feel like you stepped into a 1950’s Hollywood film set (and we all love it’s magnetic Driftwood bar). But let’s not sugar coat this – we’re not exactly talking Hollywood glamour today. Never mind our Hollywood district, this is Portland after all. This is throw-a-blanket-down and rough-it-under-the-setting-sun type fun.
The programming of Top Down is 2nd to none and I’m not afraid to dish kudos to whoever is behind it. I’ve caught everything from a Johnny Cash kidnapping joint to lost Jackie Chan kung fu flicks to b-movie horror films at Top Down. Even the occasional cult 80’s films seem impeccably timed, in that “haven’t seen that one in forever, let’s go!” sort of way. Doesn’t hurt that there’s always great food and beer on tap, and a band kicks the night off. Tossing down your jacket and staking out your chairs and then heading up top to grab a beer, check the band, and just take in the view makes this something special.
Top Down has been slowly but surely gaining momentum all these years and now it’s time to get serious. We know it, they know it, everyone knows it. Top Down needs a new screen.
With your help, they’ll make the jump to a 20′ screen (up from the old 12 footer).
Toss a little something their way, won’t you? They like the kind that folds, but’ll take the kind that jingles. And you were going to hit it this summer anyway, right? Why not pay it forward? (Ok, cheesy movie reference but c’mon, after all, it did feature the St John’s bridge and at least Haley Osment has kept it mostly together, the one mugshot aside)
In the name of all that doesn’t suck, support the Top Down cause over on Kickstarter.