Recent Commercial Trends Coming Out of Portland’s Film Scene
Portland has always been a creative city—but lately, it’s becoming a go-to location for commercial shoots that want a mix of grit, beauty, and visual range. As a production designer and art director based in Portland, I’ve noticed some exciting trends emerging on set this year.
1. Smaller Budgets, Smarter Builds
With tighter timelines and leaner budgets, production teams are looking for more efficient ways to create high-impact visuals. That means repurposing sets, rethinking materials, and making the most of every location. I’ve been working closely with producers to streamline builds without compromising the creative vision.
2. Nature as Set Piece
More brands are leaning into the Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty—forests, mountains, rivers, overcast skies. Instead of fighting the weather or building elaborate sets indoors, we’re integrating the environment into the art direction. When you live here, you know how to work with the light, the seasons, and the unpredictability.
3. Portland’s Indie Aesthetic is Now Mainstream
The lo-fi, hand-built, analog feel that defined Portland’s indie scene in the 2010s is showing up in national spots again—but now with bigger budgets behind it. Commercials want to look organic and authentic, not overly polished. I’ve been designing sets that feel lived-in and real, with texture and character baked in from the start.
4. Multi-Use Spaces and Mobile Sets
Whether we’re shooting in a warehouse in inner Southeast or a field in the Gorge, sets need to adapt fast. I’ve been creating modular builds that can be redressed or shifted from scene to scene without slowing down the schedule.
5. Local Crew, Big Results
One of Portland’s strengths is the talent pool. I work with an incredible network of builders, prop stylists, and fabricators who bring heart and craft to every job. That local knowledge saves time—and often saves the production money, too.
If you’re planning a shoot in Portland or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, I’d love to connect. I bring deep local knowledge, a flexible approach, and a focus on creating spaces that elevate the story.
