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Bits ‘n’ Pieces: Oscar winner to talk at local film festival

The Columbian
Published: August 20, 2010, 12:00am
3 Photos
Tom Nunan
Tom Nunan Photo Gallery

The Columbia Gorge International Film Festival just got an infusion of star power. Academy Award-winning executive producer Tom Nunan will speak at noon Saturday at the free festival, which continues through Sunday at the Vancouver Convention Center at the Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St., Vancouver.

Los Angeles-based Nunan, past president of NBC Studios and the former United Paramount Network, executive produced independent films such as the Oscar-winning drama “Crash” and the 2006 film “The Illusionist,” starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and Jessica Biel. He is founder of Bull’s Eye Entertainment, a midsized independent television and film production company.

Nunan, 47, wants independent filmmakers to realize their projects can get distribution and achieve commercial success. He’ll discuss ways to jump from creating films only friends and family see to making movies that attract a wide audience.

“A lot of filmmakers can find ways to get their movies made, but it’s harder to get them seen,” he said.

Festival organizer Breven Angaelica Warren, a 31-year-old filmmaker with Washougal ties, reached out to Nunan through a mutual colleague. “I’m a big supporter of the Portland and Seattle film scene, so I said I’d be happy to come up,” Nunan said.

Vancouver filmmaker makes festival debut

About 300 films from some 40 countries are screening at the Columbia Gorge International Film Festival, and among them is “The Salon,” written, directed and edited by Vancouver musician, actress and aesthetician Hollie Olson.

“The Salon,” a six-minute film, was scheduled to screen Thursday evening.

Olson drew from her experience in the salon industry for the short film.

“It’s little vignettes of the different people you’d find in a salon on a typical day,” said Olson, 48.

This was Olson’s third film, but her first time editing. She also composed and recorded the music for the score.

The Columbia Gorge International Film Festival marks Olson’s festival debut.

“I’m totally excited,” she said.

She hopes the experience will serve as a building block to help her attract investors for future projects. Her ultimate goal is to write, direct and produce her own feature-length film.

Bits ’n’ Pieces appears Mondays and Fridays. If you have a story you’d like to share, call Courtney Sherwood 360-735-4561, or e-mail features@columbian.com.<I>

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