Families May Be Losing Their Home Movies and Tapes

Portland, OR.  Holidays fill us with memories of the past, but how long has it been since you’ve taken that proverbial “stroll down memory lane” by watching your old home movies and tapes?  Well, if you hurry, you can give a holiday gift to yourself and to your entire family that will last more than a lifetime – much more!  Home Video Studio – Portland, OR., an affiliate of the largest national network of home video studios, can help you preserve your precious home movies and videotapes that are probably gathering dust in your attic or garage.  More important, your old 8 mm movie films and VHS videos are deteriorating every day!  Even if you still have the old equipment to watch them, they may already be unplayable.
Philip Beech Video Producer and Co-owner of Home Video Studio - Portland, OR., advises everyone to “search through your home immediately!  Find all of those old 8 mm home movie films and old VHS tapes and get them transferred to DVD as soon as possible.”  
Mr. Beech knows what’s he’s talking about.  He has been rescuing movies and tapes for Portland, OR.  residents in their home-based video studio for years.   “Some of the films and tapes we see are already in very poor condition.  And it would be a shame to lose those family histories when it’s so easy to move them all onto DVD.”
Mr. Beech’s system not only transfers the movies and videos to DVD, but also it allows you to add titles and even music thereby creating a memorable experience for generations to come.  “The DVDs,” Mr. Beech adds, “really are the gifts that keep on giving, generation after generation.  Imagine your grandchildren or their grandchildren being able to watch and hear their grandparents or great-great grandparents long after they are gone!  Or, just think about being able to relive your own childhood simply by popping in a disk that will preserve those memories into the next century!”
Whether for the holidays or any special occasion, Home Video Studio’s service solves the frequent problem of what gift to give to the “hard to buy for” relative.  He explains, “We can transfer any kind of film or video to DVD, but we can also do other creative keepsakes, for example, putting slides and photos on DVD, editing your vacation videos, making sports highlight programs for your son or daughter, and even repairing broken video tapes.”  Mr. Beech also mentions that they can also transfer audiotapes and cassettes to CD.
Mr. Beech hopes that folks will contact him soon, especially if they want to create a Christmas gift for this season.  “It takes some time to transfer the movies and tapes to DVD,” he adds.  “We don’t want anyone to be dissappointed.  But whether it’s for the Holidays or after the Holodays, you really do need to preserve and, in some cases, improve those precious memories!”
            For more information on transferring and preserving your home movie film, contact Philip Beech at his Home Video Studio – 503 716 8578
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Landscape legend Lawrence Halprin dies at 93

I shot a dance performance video last year that celebrated the work of Lawrence and Anna Halprin. Here is a description of the work and video highlights of the performance.

City Dance - Keller Fountain from Philip Beech Home Video Studio on Vimeo.

With choreographers Linda K. Johnson, Cydney Wilkes, Linda Austin, and Tere Mathern and writer Randy Gragg.

In 1971, Portland christened a new urban park that The New York Times architectural critic Ada Louise Huxtable heralded as “the most important urban space since the Renaissance.” Called Forecourt Fountain (later renamed Ira Keller Fountain), it was part of a sequence of Portland plazas that combined water, sculptural form, and public space in ways never before attempted in a city. Yet the plazas were merely one outgrowth of the daring experiments in movement, sound, and space being conducted by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin; his wife, the legendary choreographer Anna Halprin; and radical musical composers such as Terry Riley, Pauline Oliveros, Lamont Young, and Morton Subotnick.

Third Angle New Music Ensemble, the Northwest’s premier presenter of contemporary music, along with some of Portland’s most accomplished choreographers, will celebrate the plazas and the artistic milieu from which they emerged. Third Angle will play some of the Minimalist music pioneered by the composers in the Halprins’ circle as the choreographers explore Anna Halprin’s philosophy and her intense blend of movement with social and personal consciousness often cited as the beginning of postmodernism in dance.

“We were trying to invent new languages of dance, music, and architecture,” Lawrence Halprin recalls of the time. So, too, will City Dance attempt a new kind of celebration of architectural and creative heritage.

City Dance is Oregon’s 2008 American Masterpieces project funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oregon Arts Commission, along with the Portland Development Commission, Regional Arts & Culture Council, TVA Architects and other partners.

Great web site

Check out the PDX Plate website. It has everything you need to peruse the Portland Oregon food and drink scene. It is the ultimate Portland restaurant guide. Message boards, blogs, reviews, comments, links, photos and yes there are videos! And please avail yourself to the Monday Roundup all week long. Don't for get to check out the videos from the Oregon Bartenders Guild videos.

"About a year ago, a small message board was born out of the idea that despite the unusually large number of food sites here in Portland, there was a kind of conversation that wasn't taking place. Instead of the usual forum babble of "have you gone?" and "how is the?" and "where should I?", the singular driving mantra of pdxplate has been one of blazing your own food and drink trail, jumping without a net, and mixing metaphors. Taking one for the team. It's a simple notion, but a powerful one, and it's what this site is all about. "

Had a great time at Great American Distillers Festival at the Bossanova Ballroom last weekend. Enjoyed some amazing spirits and the company of some of the most dedicated and talented distillers in the Pacific Northwest not to mention the country.

The Festival opened with a keynote address from Bill Owens, president of the American Distilling Institute
and the MixMaster Mixology Competition preliminary rounds ensued.

These guys participated in the Spirits Seminars

Robert Hess: The Man Behind The Curtain: Molecular Mixology’s Little Secret

Blair Reynolds: Tropical Mixology and the PNW Connection

Neyah White: Barrel to Barrel, the magic of wood

Here are the attendees and their products;

Artisan Spirits
Martin Ryan Vodka
Apia Vodka
Elemental Vodka
New Deal
Hot Monkey Vodka
Organic Nation Spirits
Organic Nation Gin
Organic Nation Vodka
Dry Fly
Dry Fly Gin
Dry Fly Vodka
Bend Distillery
Crater Lake Vodka
Cascade Mtn. Gin
Hazelnut Espresso Vodka
Roughstock
Montana Whiskey
Pacific Distilling
Voyager Dry Gin
Pacifique Absinthe
Deco Distilling
Rogue Spirits
Rogue Spruce Gin
Rogue Dead Guy Whiskey
Rogue Hazelnut Spice Rum
Integrity Spirits
12 Bridges Gin
Trillium Absinthe
Lovejoy Vodka
Stranahans
Colorado Whiskey
House Spirits
Aviation Gin
Krogstad Aquavit
Loft Liquors
J Witty
Chamomile Liqueur
Hood River
Cockspur Rum
Yazi Ginger Vodka
Pendleton Whiskey

Beech Marketing Online

Beech Marketing is a new media marketing company providing keyword-based web development and search engine optimization (SEO) for small to medium businesses. We combine social marketing, video marketing, Word Press blogs and extensive market analysis, along with much, much more, to get businesses noticed and ranked by the top search engines, all at affordable prices. Mission:Our mission is to keep locally owned, small and medium businesses alive and prosperous by developing and maintaining their online presence.

Photo and Video Keepsake Videos - Makes A Great Gift for the Holidays!

Need a gift idea for the holidays? Why not create a "Photo Video Keepsake" for your family? Home Video Studio can take family's photo and video memories and develop a touching tribute. Our professionals will add music and titles to produce a unique family history. Photo Video Keepsakes" are great gifts to give relatives and friends too. They are fantastic not only for the holidays , but also for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, reunions and other special get-togethers. Let Home Video Studio help you make these extraordinary Photo Video Keepsakes" ! VHS and 8mm tapes transferred to DVD make great gifts as well.

Here are more gift ideas:
Create a highlight DVD of your best clips from your VHS or camcorder tape library
Organize, archive, and showcase your family photos, 35mm slides, and/or photo albums on CD or DVD
Create a Lifestory (a mini-documentary) showcasing a family loved one complete with interviews, photos, and video clips from the past
Call us today at (503) 716-8578. Don't let time and the elements damage or destroy your irreplaceable family memories. No job is too small!



Call us today!!! 503-716-8578

The Chauncey

Fourth in a series of videos produced by Home Video Studio for the Oregon Bartenders Guild.
Bartender David Shenaut of Teardrop Lounge and Beaker & Flask in Portland, Oregon, creates The Chauncey right before our eyes. Cheers!

May I buy you a drink?

Third in a series of videos for the Oregon Bartenders Guild.
This one featuring Blair Reynolds of TraderTiki.com preparing the Mai Tai. Enjoy with poi. Cheers!

Sazerac

Second in a series of cocktail recipe videos we produced for the Oregon Bartenders Guild. This one features Jeffery Morgenthaler of Clyde Common Restaurant in Portland, Oregon sharing the classic New Orleans cocktail, the Sazerac. Cheers!

Mago

First in a series of cocktail recipe videos we produced for the Oregon Bartenders Guild. This one features Neil Kopplin, of Clyde Common Restaurant in Portland, Oregon sharing one of his signature cocktails, the Mago. Cheers!

The Nick Wilson Charitable Group Video

Here is a video we did for The Nick Wilson Charitable Group. Here they are and here is what they do. Good people and a good cause.



Help us to help others

The Nick Wilson Charitable Group (NWCG)

A Stem Cell Transplant Support Association for Kids with Cancer and Their Families

Our Mission

To provide support to children and their families in the Children’s Cancer Center’s Pediatric Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Program at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

About Nick Wilson

Nick Wilson was a spirited and compassionate little boy who was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia at age 18 months in May of 1999. He endured hundreds of days in the hospital undergoing high dose chemotherapy, irradiation, stem cell transplantation, and multiple medical procedures. In spite of these unfavorable circumstances, Nick seized every opportunity to play, laugh, and provide a steadfast example of a tenacious zest for life. Nick died in April of 2001 despite modern medicine’s best efforts to cure his disease. It is in memory of Nick’s incredible spirit that his family endeavors to keep his spirit and compassion alive by helping other children and families finding themselves in similar circumstances.

The Nick Wilson Charitable Group is a completely volunteer operated 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. We receive no federal or state funding and rely completely on community support and individual contributions. Please consider The Nick Wilson Charitable Group for your charitable giving; all donations are tax-deductible.

Thank you.
©The Nick Wilson Charitable Group
P.O. Box 80852
Portland, OR 97280
503.890.7220
jillmetz@comcast.net

http://www.nickwilsoncg.org/

BeechStock Photography

BeechStock is a stock photography company representing the photography of Jack Beech Industrial Photography. For over 35 years, Mr. Beech specialized in industrial and aerial photography in New Orleans, Louisiana. We have his images available for stock photography, newsletters, brochures, trade publications, annual reports, websites or fine art printing for display in your home or office. These images make a great corporate gift as well.
Mr. Beech also has many Louisiana scenes such as plantations, bayous, courtyards, New Orleans French Quarter, historical subjects, Mardi Gras and more.

Biography

Jack Beech was born in Massillon, Ohio and lived in California for a number of years. He then moved to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mr. Beech is a graduate of the Fred Archer School of Photography in Los Angeles, CA. He originally pursued magazine editorial photography, working through the New York Agency and Black Star Publishing.

Mr. Beech later formed Industrial Photography, Inc. in New Orleans and established a reputation as a corporate photographer, the mainstay of his work being industrial, oil fields, aerials and advertising.

He is now retired and living in Mandeville, Louisiana.

Vimeo Videos

Our twins, Gus and Ruby turned 7 and celebrated with a bowling party with their friends. The video of their party was inspired by the trailer for The Big Lebowski. Watch this space for party #8. Coming soon!

Vimeo is great. I urge everyone t submit, view and comment on videos posted here. I use it for demos and for client approval and notes. Check it out

Photo Videos and Photo Montages

A photo video is a simple way to protect and bring to life your family's precious memories. We'll edit your photos to music and create a customized unique keepsake on DVD.Photo Video Keepsakes make wonderful gifts for family members. They are a fantastic and creative way to preserve your family's history for generations to come. Everyone can also now have DVD copies of those priceless family moments.

You may want to incorporate videos and home movie film in your Photo/Video Keepsake. View and decide what portions of your home movies you would like to include in the piece. Home Video Studio can transfer that material into a format and include that in your Photo/Video Keepsake

To save time and money prepare your materials before talking to us about your Photo/Video Keepsake.

First make the tough decision -- which photos to choose and which to lose. We suggest you make a "YES" pile and a "NO" pile, putting all the photos that you may want to use in the "YES" pile and all the rest in the "NO" pile. WARNING: This step is way too much fun, so don't get caught looking at each photo for more then a moment! Try to zero in on the photos that will tell your family's story the best. Think of your Photo/Video Keepsake as a story with a beginning, middle and an end,

Gather all of your YES photos together. We suggest you put them in chronological order. Start with the early photos and work your way forward to the present day. You may have some photos or groups of photos that will work better in their own little chronological sequences; such as, career, job or business photos, house photos, lake home photos, vacations, grand-kids, etc. You can even accent these by using a special music theme or select popular songs of the time. for each group and perhaps even giving each group its own title; for instance, you could place the title "Our Babies" before the grandchildren group. Think of your Photo/Video Keepsake as a story with a beginning, middle and an end.

         Number your photos on the back with either a pencil or stickers (post-it notes work well). DO NOT USE a pen as the ink may rub off onto the other photos. This is also the time to start thinking about music and titles. You'll at least want a greeting at the beginning and some closing statement at the end of your video. For example, if you are making an anniversary video, you could simply put "Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad" at the beginning and "With Love, From All Of Us" at the end. Or, if you wish, you can be more personal and creative in your titles. Why not use some poetry or a favorite quotation?

Yeah that's it!

That logo means video!

Are You Ready

Defeeters! Lake Oswego Soccer Club State champions! The parents surprised the team with the video at party celebrating the teams success. Please to enjoy all the videos and watch this space for more.

Think about video for your website. Low cost product demos, training  for your clients or employees or a "how to" segment educating your clients and the public at large. Produce from your ideas and footage or start from scratch with a production company. Video is not something "extra" when thinking about a website it is as vital as your logo and your contact information.  It does not have to cost a lot to look cool. Think about your clients and what they need. Think about your product or service and create a video that will illuminate, educate, entertain and inform. Create. "The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas." Linus Pauling said that and he's from Oregon! You can even put a monkey in the video!

On the Verge

We are on the verge of something, of what we are not sure. Starting a business during these economic times is daunting at least and challenging at best. My timing is questionable but I have to say in my darkest times I feel secure in the fact that I won't be laid off. The dynamics of being self employed are well known, the employees are lazy and the boss in an asshole. The journey has been one of self discovery, educational, enlightening and what the fuck was I thinking. I am wearing three hats, technician, manager and entrepreneur. The problem is I have just the one head.

A new favorite product has been Keepsake Videos, photos and video put to music for anniversaries, birthdays and the general celebration of life set to music. I have enjoyed the compilation of milestones and signposts of strangers' lives and my unique ability to manipulate and elicit, I hope, some emotion with these short stories. Sorting through stacks of snaps and slides, digging through digital archives of the past. A voyeuristic endeavor that satisfies the entrepreneur and the technician.

The L.E.S.T.A. project has been mired in red tape and bureaucratic. I long for guerrilla film making, stolen locations and signed releases after the fact. I shall overcome but I am still looking for ideas, any suggestions?

What I am reading : “E Myth Mastery By Michael Gerber
What I am watching: Art of Making the Schedule
What I am listening to: Cable Company hold recording...

Fitting

It's only fitting I post now pledging to post more on this blog o' mine. It seems to be the thing, regurgitating excuses for not blogging. I should start a blog about not blogging.

As I begin my 51st year I ponder the things I know, have forgotten, and simply ignored.

We have been efforting to produce a documentary recently. The project hit a bureaucratic roadblock with a local school district when we requested permission to shoot on school property, I blame the reality TV industry for creating this faux market place for a possible "reality" series. Everyone is positioning for some kind of production deal on The Learning Channel. We will get it done and Jon and Kate Plus 8 be darned.

Here is a brief synopsis.

" The L.E.S.T.A. Story" (working title) is the story of L.E.S.T.A. and Cyndi Turtledove. LESTA’s mission is to engender creativity and discipline through Theatre and all the Arts. To develop and implement projects to help different kinds of community organizations share Spanish and English language learning, cultural exchanges, and social interaction by bringing Latinos and Anglos together. This film examines the process, successes and the challenges of bilingual language and arts education.

It's going to be a lot more fun than it sounds.