One of the benefits of membership in MOPAN is getting the opportunity to work.  When an out of town production comes to the area, they often look for an organization like MOPAN that keeps a list or directory of capable production people.  In Oregon alone there are at least four such organizations (MOPAN, OMPA, SOFaT, and FOA).  We are all connected with each other and share common goals.  Many times productions will inquire with the Governor’s Office of Film and Television (GOFT), the State office responsible for promoting and facilitating production in Oregon (Why, you may ask? Among other reasons, it brings in money to our economy… but that’s a topic for another discussion).  When the GOFT gets these requests, they often turn to the regional associations like MOPAN to fulfill the opportunity.

Regardless of how they find us (and we’re always working to connect with people who hire), the fact is they do.

MOPAN members and soon-to-be members worked a recent gig with ESPN2 at the Stihl Timbersports season finale in Salem, OR at the state fairgrounds. The guys worked as an audio tech, utilities and a runner, and according to our informal debrief, we all had a great time with the job. Shown in the accompanying photo are (left to right) Jeff Hedges (Audio), Josh McHale, Nate Beyerlin, Michael Miller, Ross Jensen (Utilities), Jordan Novet (Runner) and Jeff Johnston (Utility). The first installment of the show is scheduled to run September 19 on ESPN2. -- Jeff Johnston

One recent example of this is when MOPAN member Douglas Technical Services received an inquiry from an Arkansas company to crew a Timbersports event at the Oregon State Fair in Salem.  The event is scheduled to air on ESPN on September 19.

Douglas Technical Services passed the inquiry on to MOPAN, and several members answered the call and ended up crewing the four day event.  Jeff Johnson was one of them.  He said he thoroughly enjoyed the local crew and the team from out of town.  They might not have ever even known about the event if they’d not been connected with MOPAN.

That’s networking.  That’s how it works.

Another recent event kept several MOPAN members active for a day.  Community Television of Lane County (CTV) assembled a crew for a live to tape production of the Eugene Celebration Parade.  CTV is a member of MOPAN, and many of its members also have separate MOPAN memberships.  Networking again was key to assembling a crew of willing, able, and capable people to crew an event like this.  The production featured four camera coverage of the parade, live commentary with two hosts, multiple audio feeds, a video switcher and character generator, and recording equipment to capture it all.  By my informal count, eleven people helped out with the production, which aired and will air again on CTV (see their site for program schedule).  While these volunteers were not paid, they were compensated with breakfast and lunch, and an opportunity to work in a live television environment.  CTV has resources and equipment that are accessible to anybody in the community (with proper training, which they provide).  Sometimes an all-volunteer crew is the best because everyone is there because they want to be, not because they’re chasing money.

MOPAN members (from left to right) Joe Tyndall, Dan Nims, Erik Talbert, and Larry Dobberstein work inside the production truck during CTV's coverage of the 2010 Eugene Celebration Parade. Community Television provides people unique opportunities to acquire and hone production skills in television.

Of course, nobody can do all their gigs for free, but it’s nice to give back to the community, and nice to know that you can do so with the skills you earn your living with.

While MOPAN doesn’t guarantee anybody employment opportunities and “getting work” is only part of what we do, it’s good to know that members ARE finding work with the help of our organization.  And getting paid for what we love is icing on the cake.

What people may not realize, is this industry is a bit self-perpetuating.  Hollywood didn’t become Hollywood overnight, nor did Broadway.  And Portland wasn’t always Oregon’s film hot spot.  But over time, each of these places attracted productions, and eventually built a reputation in the industry.  Along with that came the talent, crew, and community support that has allowed these places to maintain a majority in the market (there’s also a college football analogy here, but again–for another conversation).

So thanks to everybody who works in this industry.  Thanks to the small gigs and the large gigs, the paying ones and labors of love.  You all contribute to our industry and our community.  Please continue to share your stories and successes.

Erik Talbert