PORTLAND IS SURREAL

March 30, 2007

Everywhere we go in Portland, we see Darius. That's because his picture covers almost the entire front page of The Willamette Week, and this newspaper has boxes everywhere! Yesterday, when Allison was riding the Portland MAX (local transit system), thee people sitting across from her were reading the article ("I had three Dariuses staring back at me. Where was my camera when I needed it?")

We're staying at a five-star hotel here, compliments of the Longbaugh Film Festival, where each room comes with its own iPod. Logan downloaded some of Darius's raps from his iTunes account for all of us to enjoy while here.

Last night, DGW opened the Longbaugh Film Festival, which was a huge honor. We packed the house--or houses. This venue actually had six nicely sized screening rooms, and our documentary showed simultaneously on all of them. Beforehand, food and cocktails were served as part of a Charley's Fund benefit organized by festival director David Walker and Charley's Fund supporter Mindy Leffler from Seattle. It was great to have a chance to mix and mingle with our audience before the show.

Portland audiences made us feel right at home. Maybe that was due to the huge Athens presence in last night's crowd. Diego Kirsch was in town and came to see DGW for the second time. He also helped us sell t-shirts after the show. Clyde, Logan's former co-worker from The Globe, was there. Mary Liedel (her sister, Margie Spalding is from Athens and a big-time DGW supporter) came and even brought groceries to our hotel! Fred Granum was there, too. His brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Doris Granum live in Athens and have been DGW supporters forever.

Allison's twin brother and his wife, Chris and Laurie Firor, flew in from New Mexico to see the film. Also in attendance was Dr. Benji Seckler (Charley's dad), who did an amazing job during the Q&A. DGW's new agent extraordinaire Norm Aladjem and his partner, Andrew Ruf from Paradigm L.A. were there as well--and had a chance to see how well audiences react to our film.

The Q&A was videotaped in one theater so that it could be beamed live to the other five (that was cool). Afterwards, we sold a lot of DGW t-shirts, thanks to David Walker's mom, Bonnie, who wouldn't take no for an answer from anyone!

We have a few new pictures posted, so check them out. Also, here's a link to an interview Kim Voyner did with Logan at AFI/Dallas:

http://www.cinematical.com/2007/03/29/afi-dallas-interview-darius-goes-west-director-logan-smalley/

DGW...Know about it!