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ON THE WING: THE SWIFTS OF CHAPMAN SCHOOL
Dan Viens in attendance.
Sunday, August 1, 7p.m.
ON THE WING
US 2009 | Director: Dan Viens
TICKETS: $9 General, $8 Museum Members, Students, Seniors, $6 Friends of the Film Center

Dan Viens “On the Wing” plays this evening at Whitsell Auditorium in the Portland Art Museum. It's a film about the Portland Swifts, the “largest known swift roost in the world“. Dan no longer lives in Portland, but will be in attendance this evening for Q&A.

I sent Dan some questions about the film, the Portland film community, Thai food, Dave Matthews Band, etc, and the answers are below. You can also see the trailer and more info about the screening here.

***********Q&A with “On The Wing” director Dan Viens********

PDXP: What about the Swifts made you want to make this film?
Dan Viens: When I moved to Portland in 2006 I was looking for a project. I moved into a place a few blocks from the swifts. As I watched their roost play out that year I saw how amazing the story was from so many different perspectives. I knew looking at the phenomenon through the eyes of the birds, the onlookers, the neighbors and the school would tell a great story. Once I confirmed no one had made a film about the swifts I knew it had to be done. The story of the birds is such an amazing illustration of what makes Portland so special and I wanted my film and effort to be another piece of what makes the city great.

PDXP: You are no longer in Portland. Where are you living and what are you up to?
Dan Viens: I'm living in San Francisco now working for an advertising agency. However, I'm doing the long distance thing with my wife and dog who are still in PDX so I'm back as much as possible.

PDXP: How long did it take you to make the film?
Dan Viens: It took about a year to make On The Wing. I shot everyday from late August 2007 into mid October. Then I edited and worked with a childhood friend on the film's score through the following summer. The film that premiered at Cinema 21 in 2008 and will show at NW Film Center on Sunday was completely finished in September 2008.

PDXP: I see you will be in attendance. Are you doing Q&A after the film?
Dan Viens: I believe I'll be doing some kind of Q&A after the film. I'll most likely plant some friends in the crowd so I don't look like a dope if there aren't any questions.

PDXP: What do you think about the film community in Portland? Is it growing? Is it a good place for filmmakers? What could it do better to attract more filmmakers/more films made here?
Dan Viens: I'm not that tapped in to the Portland film community. However, I can talk more about what I discovered from Portland as a community by making On The Wing. I made my film almost entirely on my own. I did it because I wanted to prove to myself that I could and because I believe Portland is a city made up of people doing interesting independent things that contribute to a greater whole. I felt an obligation to contribute to that. Once I made the film and showed it to The Audubon Society and word got out, it just took off.

The premiere at Cinema 21 sold out, many people in the neighborhood bought DVDs and a couple years later, the film has aired in more than 50 cities. It blew my mind and gave me so much faith in this town to see people getting behind something local that told a great local story of Portland. So many people who bought the DVD sent it off to friends and relatives around the world to explain what Portland was all about. That was an incredible feeling.

PDXP: What is your favorite Thai food restaurant in Portland?
Dan Viens: I like Tara Thai on NW 23rd. My friends and I joke a lot about the penchant for puns in Thai restaurant names – Bow Thai, Thai Me Up, etc. I'm not sure if being punless is good or bad, but Tara Thai's food is delicious.

PDXP: What is your favorite food cart in Portland?
Dan Viens: I'm a huge fan of all the Mississippi carts. I really like Native Bowl and The Big Egg. However, my favorite 'cart' is Sterling Coffee Roasters at NW 21st and Glisan. Their espresso is the best I've ever had and the baristas dress very well.

PDXP: Have you ever danced with glowsticks?
Dan Viens: I've been to a lot of Phish shows. That sort of always ends up happening.

PDXP: Is Dave Mathews a musical prodigy….or….a musical genius?
Dan Viens: Wow, these are limited options. I was in the 3rd row at a Dave Matthews concert in 1996 and in a quick pause within a song someone threw a T-shirt that hit Dave's microphone and whacked him in the mouth. He looked down at the dude and said, “Fuck that shit.” He and the band played the rest of the song with an inspired rage that was awesome. I don't think he's a genius though.