As much as I respect Ron Howard as a filmmaker, I'm having a little dispute with his production company, Restless Productions, over some scheduling problems for some filming that is supposed to take place at the classic Clinton Market grocery store I own. It seems like RESTLESS is taking longer to film than expected and is running days behind schedule. Last week, on Thursday, Restless Productions was supposed to shoot at my business. However, no one from Restless Productions bothered to call me and it impacted some wine delivery and other store functions such as new stock orders. Every day I need to restock the store with groceries, wine and beer.

Restless Productions knew that I was very upset at this. And they didn't want me to pull out of the project and deny them use of my store to shoot at. There is a critical scene in the film that takes place at my store, which has been in business since 1914. It is probably the oldest grocery store in Portland, Oregon that is still in operation. So Restless offered me an amended contract, and upped their pay scale to me, plus offered me a check for the lost day which impacted my business.

Ron Howard's agent offered me his sincere apology and had me sign the renewed contract and cut me a check. Ron Howard is always a gentleman, and his agent was very sincere and promised to handle business better in the future for the shoot which is now scheduled for either November 30 or December 1. Like all Ron Howard productions, RESTLESS should be a great film. Howard is paying all the production costs for the film and putting director Gus Van Sant in charge of the local work along with a large crew of production people. The film should be ready for release sometime next year.

Hey, what can I say? Opie Taylor is okay in my book!