Backroads Oregon

The Art of
Jeff and Terry Owenby

"Backroads: The Natural Beauty of Oregon"

"Backroads" is a series of one-hour relaxation videos that focus on all four of Oregon's wondrous seasons. The program promotes relaxation by weaving beautiful video imagery and a soothing musical soundtrack into a gentle tapestry of sound and mood.

Photographed, Edited,
and
Produced by Jeff Owenby

A bit of "Backroads" History...

"Backroads" came about from an idea of putting exquisite nature videography to music. Granted, it was not an original idea. I'd seen many "relaxation" videos sold in stores. I even checked out a few of them. However, upon viewing many, they seemed to me to be lacking something. I wanted to create a visual treat that truly touched the viewer; something more than just landmarks artfully centered in a camera lens. I wanted my audience to literally "dissolve" into the program. In order to accomplish this, I broke all the rules of film editing. I used slow, 16-27 second shots as opposed to the standard 3-5 second scenes. I incorporated natural sounds of birds, creeks, oceans, and rivers to accompany the music so that nature always ruled the background.

"Backroads" began in 1997 at Multnomah Community Television as a regular 30-minute series. After recieving much praise from fans, I decided to expand the program to an hour. I felt that what people really needed was to be up close and personal with the outdoors. To be able to hike through the woods, walk along a beach, or drift with falling snow, without ever having to leave the "comfortude" of their chair. I did provide several majestic shots of landmarks, but they are only a contrast to the more hidden places. There are several scenes of running creeks, shots from down low in wind-blown fields of grass, or gazing up to touch green branches on a summer day. In essence, "Backroads" is a natural escape.

"Backroads" involved many days, weekends, and vacations spent camping and living from the back of my truck while I traipsed across the delightufl frontiers of Oregon. The program was filmed all year long in all weathers from blazing heat in Hells Canyon, to frigid mountain temperatures in January.

To this day, "Backroads" remains a solid victory for me. It's like I tell people: "If you fall asleep while watching it, it's not an insult, but a compliment." The show is meant to relax in just that way.

The Complete 60-minute "Backroads" Episode Guide:

"Autumn Sketchbook"
"Winter Sonata"
"The Circle of Seasons"
"Places of Serenity"
"Summer Dreams"
"The Tranquil Forest"
"Journeys: A Recollection"
"Desert Dreams"
"Something About Going Home"
"Autumn Sketchbook 2"
"November Light"
"101 Pacific Avenue"
"One Painted Summer"
"A Distant Summer"
"The Gathering Season"
"The Waterpath"
"Winter's Madrigal"

Reviews:
What people are saying about Backroads!

"The peace your work brought to me has calmed my soul" -Ron, Portland

"I just wanted to tell you that your videos are wonderful. As an amateur photographer and musician, I appreciate your work."
-Cyndi, Portland

"It would be great if there was an opportunity at places like The Mission Theater or McMenamin's to give screenings of your work. I hope you are someday able to present your work to the Oscar people for documentary shorts or whatever."
-Beth, Portland

"I find it to be beautifully done, and altogether enchanting."
-Peggy,Portland

"Please send me information about your film "Desert Dreams."
-Brendan,Sheila-Na-Gig Music, New York

No Matter What the Season... "Backroads" is the ultimate in relaxation.

Turquoise waters of Wallowa Lake

The following images are screen captures from the "Backroads" DVD series.

The Music.

In order to create a soundtrack with the best possible music I could find, I contracted with some of the finest New Age musicians in the industry. This was a feat in itself to literally draw up my own contracts and submit them to the prospective record companies. The end result was mostly a success, and I garnered music permissions from 90% of my contacted sources. Among these musical empires are the famous Narada Music and Sonic Images.

Featured are: Christopher Franke (formerly of Tangerine Dream), Nicholas Gunn, Tingstad, Lanz & Rumbel, Michael Hoppe, Kelly Yost, R. Carlos Nakai, John Nilsen and Grammy-winner Doug Smith.