"Stumptown": PDX Appropriation or Embracing without Overcrowding?

The hopes were high for the new ABC television series, Stumptown, that not only would the cast and plot be thrilling but the homage to the Rose City would be special for natives to see on the big screen. However, since the series premiered on September 25th and an episode a week has been released since that date, the reviews have been mixed from both the general public and those who are personally connected to the city of Portland.

While Stumptown, even in the name, has a direct correlation to Portland, even the pilot was not filmed in the city, rather it was filmed in Vancouver B.C. It was announced after the pilot that aside from a couple of days here and there to film on site in Portland, Stumptown will be primarily filmed in Los Angeles.

According to an article written months prior to the premiere by Kristi Turnquist with The Oregonian, “Tim Williams, executive director of Oregon Film, says his office tried to make a case for “Stumptown” filming in Portland.” The decision on ABC’s end appeared to be settled on the basis of the needed accessible production equipment and space for the show.

Days before the premiere, another article was published by Turnquist where she discussed with the executive producer, Jason Richman, how him and his team plan to “[convey] a Portland feeling” in the series. One of his co-executive producers, Ruben Fleischer claimed that “we don’t want traditional L.A. actor bad guys. I feel like there’s a true spirit of individuality in Portland that’s inherent to the place. Houses and roads aren’t so much the challenge, as just the feeling of the people, and so we’re being real deliberate with our casting to make sure people feel they’re of the place.”

Turnquist also met with Greg Rucka, the author of the Stumptown series of graphic novels that the show is based off of and another executive producer of the show. Rucka is Portland-based himself so he should be the first to know if LA filming isn’t cutting it in terms of correct and justified representation of Portland. “While it’s inevitable that locals may have issues with details of how “Stumptown” portrays Portland, Rucka understands that the series has to reach viewers beyond the Rose City”, reported Turnquist.

So far in the first four episodes of the series, aside from some aerial drone shots of Portland’s city bridges like the Broadway Bridge featured in the pilot episode and the ever-iconic white stag Portland, Oregon sign, and a few of the characters sporting Timbers and Blazers gear, the content hasn’t proven to be overly quintessential of Portland.

Judging by the comments section on the various articles published by The Oregonian about the show, many Oregonians are leaning towards being disapproving of aiming to portray Portland but not take the time to move production local and pay Oregon wages to film and produce.

One reader from the article “‘Stumptown’ creators hope to reflect Portland, even if the ABC show isn’t filmed in the Rose City” written by Turnquist, commented “my issue is that this show REALLY wants to trade on the Portland "feel" and yet they don't want to film here. Just seems especially opportunistic.”

As a born and bred Portlander myself who now lives in NYC (where next to LA, is featured in pretty much every American movie and TV show) after I was disappointed that a largely popular and hyped show paying tribute to my home city was not even filmed there, I then thought about it from the other side of the spectrum.

The nuisance that a large television production would cause the city and interfere with leisure, daily commutes and the laidback nature that is Portland could have an affect on local's everyday lives. Portland isn’t as routine with hosting large scale productions as Los Angeles is.

Another article by Kristi Turnquist received the comment, “let ‘em watch it just so they don’t come up here. I have had enough of the losangelesation of Portland!”

Opinions lie on either side of the spectrum and depending on if your daily commute, routine and well-being would be affected by a large television production moving its way into Portland, the concern is individualized.

Filming in Portland would ensure authenticity and prevent any traces of Los Angeles peeking through in scenes. It would also perhaps set the show apart form its competitors because LA is known for film and the TV industry and many productions take place there. Filming in Portland would make Stumptown unique. ABC could also increase viewership by Oregonians and those in the surrounding Pacific Northwest because it is could be cause to support productions featuring and taking place in your own place of residence.

On the other hand, the increasing population in Oregon is a movement that many Oregonians are not a fan of. Moving an entire team and cast of people to Portland to film this series would only be adding more bodies to the city of Portland.

So, is this ‘Portland Appropriation’ or is ABC’s inspiration being filmed outside Portland city limits actually a good thing for the people that live and work there?

According to another article by Turnquist “plenty of other series have claimed to be taking place in Oregon, but actually filmed somewhere else.” So, I guess we will give Stumptown a chance and hope they don’t forget their initial inspiration.