{"id":377,"date":"2012-11-04T13:02:22","date_gmt":"2012-11-04T13:02:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vfxpdx.com\/?p=377"},"modified":"2012-12-12T11:09:49","modified_gmt":"2012-12-12T11:09:49","slug":"the-hollywood-sign-in-portland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.vfxpdx.com\/?p=377","title":{"rendered":"The Hollywood sign… in Portland?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Had a chance yesterday to catch the new Affleck joint Argo, <\/em>which gives new meaning to the word “suspenseful” (emphasis on the “full”) as it follows the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979.\u00a0 I was completely sucked into this one and I think the back of my neck is still tingling from the adrenaline.\u00a0 In the film, there’s a constant barrage of period piece paraphernalia that keeps you successfully cemented in ’79 – and a particularly great shot of the dilapidated old Hollywood sign being refurbbed into the sexy, unwavering steel composed brickhouse we see in the Hollywood hills today.<\/p>\n

No way to sugar coat it – the sign was straight up falling apart.\u00a0 Rushing to it’s rescue were donations by the likes of Alice Cooper, Hugh Hefner and others who stepped in to make sure the landmark was successfully and correctly restored, resetting the clock for years to come.<\/p>\n

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photo by Benjamin Reed<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Portland has it’s own iconic Hollywood sign:\u00a0 the epic marquee of the Hollywood Theater!<\/p>\n

Well, as epic as it may appear from a distance, ye\u00a0olde marquee has seen better days and is badly in need of an update.\u00a0 The theater publically has it’s doubts about how long the sign will do the job in it’s current state, as it’s leaking. Which is never good when you’re set to endure another long rain soaked Portland winter.\u00a0 On top of that (literally), it’s getting a visual assault from a multi-story building going up in what had been forever an empty lot next door.\u00a0 Our poor sign is under siege!<\/p>\n

We need the Portland Hugh Hefner to light that cigar, loosen up that velvet robe and fetch that checkbook out of that inside pocket.\u00a0 Or maybe a little makeup around the eyes Alice Cooper style as you punch in that credit card number?\u00a0 Hey, you’re in the privacy of your own home…\u00a0 whatever floats yer boat.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Ok, so maybe we’re not as eccentric as the doners in LA’s Hollywood, but we’re just as fearless when it comes to helping out.\u00a0 The Hollywood has done quite a bit of the sign fundraising already and is close to getting this thing done, but just needs a little bump.<\/p>\n

And why do they deserve our help?\u00a0 Let’s ignore the deep rooted history, like that the theater is the source of the Hollywood district’s name for a second, and talk about the present.\u00a0 “What have you done for me lately?” like JJ once said.\u00a0 It may not be common knowledge but the Hollywood Theater is a true diamond in the rough and completely non profit<\/a>!\u00a0\u00a0 The solid slate of independent and art house programming helps to fund filmmaker sponsorship and educational programs, among other endeavors.\u00a0 This elevates them (in my book) from mere “cool theater” status to straight up Portland Institution<\/em>.\u00a0 Our Hollywood Theater is the real deal, and I can’t say enough good things about the team they have in place there.<\/p>\n

C’mon, everyone has a favorite Hollywood theater memory.\u00a0 Am I right?<\/p>\n

Hecklevision nights are almost too numerous to even mention.\u00a0 Maybe it’s one of the film fests that roll through year after year?<\/p>\n

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Rocky & I w\/no idea what we’re stepping into @ Zompire!<\/p><\/div>\n

I can only speak for myself, but I remember in 2008 when my friend & director Rocky Curby had a short accepted into the Zompire Film Festival…\u00a0\u00a0 ohhhh we got a lot more than we bargained for that day. What a complete & total riot!\u00a0 I will absolutely never forget Zombie\u00a0 Jesus<\/em> and some of the other films on the docket – I’ll take those to the grave (and beyond).\u00a0 Many of us frequent the Hollywood each summer, as they typically host the screenings for the 48 hour film festival year after year – yeah, that’s the weekend you see actors being chased by camera crews on every corner as you drive across town.\u00a0 When it comes to Portland premiere screenings and helping to launch films, the Hollywood is second to none.\u00a0 They know what it takes to elevate a screening into an event<\/em>.\u00a0 The Hollywood really came through for me as I put together last year’s Portland premiere of<\/a> Revenge of the Electric Car<\/em><\/a> for visiting director Chris Paine, and that screening helped fuel the film’s west coast momentum.\u00a0 I wonder how many times Gus Van Sant has had films or events at the Hollywood?\u00a0 Probably countless.\u00a0 Heck, it’s at the point now where I’m going to screenings hosted by Gus for complete remixes<\/em> of his films using cutting room floor footage done by other directors!\u00a0 GVS & the Hollywood go together like PB &J.<\/p>\n

The Hollywood Theater rocks.\u00a0 And with the new seats, sound system and other grand steps forward the past few years, our future memories (and photos!) also deserve a sign worthy of the namesake.<\/p>\n