How about relocating the filter? I had a kit on my miata that relocated the filter to the firewall - easy to get to, no spills.

 

Read on a truck forum where one person wanted to change the oil drain plug but did not want to change or spill the oil in the pan during the process.

Solution:
1. Remove the oil fill cap.
2. Turn on shop vac to suck and place hose over fill hole.
3. Remove drain plug. <-- Shop vac vortex keeps oil from spilling out hole. But the oil is too heavy to be sucked into shop vac.
4. Put in new drain plug.
5. Put away shop vac and replace fill cap.

I've never tried it. But the process might help with the filter replacement as well.

Just a theroy I'm throwing out for discussion. Lambaste away if you'd like.

 

I just thought: Did anyone tried to make a hole with a screwdriver, let the oil drain from the filter and then unscrew it?