I rarely bother with this side of the biz. What side is that, you ask? I am referring to film production outside of Los Angeles. I live in Portland now. However I'm a California fella, except for that stint in Chicago and later on London. I'm here to tell ya that Portland is an amazing town.
I can say this having been in a lot of cities and towns around this planet. In comparison to other US cities it really can't be beat. I can hear the howls of protest right now. It isn't New York or LA or Chicago. It doesn't have the slightly exotic appeal of a Miami or New Orleans of yesteryear.
But then this is a false dichotomy. Those cities generally only have that certain something if you have that certain no-limit Visa or MasterCard. For someone stuck in South Chicago, the Bronx, Liberty City or South Central that "certain something" is as far away from them as they are from Portland.
Portland is generally adored by film crews out coming out of LA. Even though Oregon's legislature still hasn't made filming here as financially friendly as Vancouver, B.C., or even Louisiana, the state in general and Portland in particular sees a fair amount on major motion picture and even television shows shot here each year. Why, just last month it was announced that TNT's Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton, Beth Riesgraf, and Christian Kane will be filming in the Portland environs in April, I believe. Harrison Ford is getting ready to shoot a film here during the summer.
So it was with some bemusement that I read in yesterday's Oregonian, the major rag up here, that the cast and crew of Twilight (specifically director Catherine Hardwicke as well as the film's two principal stars, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart) complained bitterly on the newly released DVD about the “inhuman” conditions they had to endure while shooting up here. Read "inhuman" for winter.
Stewart, you might get a pass here. You're a true LA-ite. And Hardwicke, both in places lived and even film locations, you seem forever (with the exception of Portland) to be a desert dweller. But Pattinson... come on, fella! You're a Brit! A Londoner, for God's sake! It snowed there this winter! Not to mention you've worked in some reasonably inhospitable locations while on the set of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire — hell, you were up in the Highlands of Scotland, son! Buck up!
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Article comments
1 - Lisa
If you saw the commentary on the DVD that you are referring to, it was "inhuman" during one particular scene shoot and it wasn't any of the stars you mention complaining but rather the crew, according to director, Catherine Hardwicke.
2 - marlowe
Lisa... I will happily admit that not only did I not listen to the commentary personally but, due to doctor's orders I'm not ALLOWED to watch or even be within twenty feet of an unsealed DVD package of ANY sappy teen love story INCLUDING those that have really pretty pretty vampires boys...
So I depend on the reporter of the Oregonian, Kristi Turnquist, whom I quote:
Let's listen in on some comments from stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and director Catherine Hardwicke:
"It was freezing."
"We were freezing cold."
"It was like 20 degrees or something."
"The weather was not our friend."
"The roots (in a forest scene) were slippery. . . I still have a big scar from where I fell down."
"The rain and wind) were seriously heinous," prompting the crew to complain of "inhuman conditions."
"The weather kept changing."
So it seems it wasn't just the crew... But I'm depending on Ms. Turnquist.
Thanks for the post!
Marlowe
3 - Dr Dreadful
They're lucky they weren't shooting this past winter, when it actually snowed in Portland.
I was there the day after Christmas... now that was some serious white stuff, although no more 'heinous' than London when it gets going* and most certainly milder than a Scottish winter - so Mr Pattinson needs to shuddup and drink his cranberry juice!
* To be fair, that isn't often these days.
4 - marlowe
Doctor I certainly agree!
Where are the burly men of Hollywood's yesteryear?! Like Tony Randall? Or Phil Silvers?
Thanks!
5 - Dr Dreadful
Who's Tony Randall? Sounds like a character in EastEnders.
I take it you're referring to Silvers' finest hour: his turn as a French Foreign Legion officer in the British comedy film (Carry On) Follow That Camel?
6 - marlowe
Loved Phil in many things... Was just joking...
Tony Randall? All those Rock Hudson/Doris Day flicks?
7 - Author!Author!
This from someone who HAS watched the commentary portion of Twilight and is a Portlander...the majority of complaints about the weather in the Pacific Northwest came from Catherine Hardwicke and Kristin Stewart. I really don't remember Robert Pattinson complaining about the weather except for once during the commentary and that was simply relaying some detail about having to bundle up for the prom scene outdoors. He did make a comment that he was in a funk the last night they shot in Portland and that they would have to leave the next day. Take from that what you will.
I did love Kristin's comment about how when the sun came out the Portlanders were running around in their shorts and how it was "just so wrong!" LOL That is SO Portland!
8 - ?????
It is the best film about love that I when or saw!