Hey! Remember Me?
BY BELINDA BREMNER

No, it’s not corny to send agents and casting directors news about what you’re working on. They may not be able to schlep out to Yennenveld in the middle of the day to see your deconstructed, post-apocalyptic Mother Goose revue or make it through an uncut version of Peer Gynt that’s buried in some unheated church basement, but they do want to know. In fact, it may get you some work. I am not saying that you should inundate them with junk mail, but send them a postcard to show that you are working. Sometimes agents and casting directors have to be told that other folks think you are worth hiring before they consider doing the same.

On another note, things are looking very good. I am told that it looks likely that the Joan Cusack series may shoot in Chicago from late July through December. Wouldn’t that be great news. Additionally, there are three or four other big projects scouting and counting beans. Looks like we’ll be getting some work soon enough to keep us all busy.

Jane Alderman Casting is conducting searches for a James Dean-type for TNT and four ensemble members for "Bette," to be featured in the Bette Midler project for CBS. She is also still casting for Novacaine with Steve Martin, "Early Edition," "ER" (Apr. 14-17). Her office has finished casting the pilots for "The Fugitive" and "Silent Witness." Also, welcome back to the lovely Janelle.

There also seems to be some big and small screen projects over at Brody Tenner Paskal. In addition to a slew of commercials, they are casting the films What Women Want and Save Me A Seat, as well as the pilot "Mather House" for ABC Disney.

HolyRik Heitz cast Lucina Pacquet for the Illinois Lottery, and is working on projects for Mobil and Liberty Health Care.

Rabedeau Casting booked Christopher Garrett and Laurie Carter Rose for the Ohio Lottery. Upcoming jobs include Kirin Beer, FTD, Bud Lite and PersonalPath.

In addition to all the pilots (like "The Nancy P’s" for NBC/FOX and "Urban Girls")–on which they are currently working–the team at Claire Simon Casting cast spots for Newport Aquarium, Kmart, Danato’s Pizza (Tommy Lee Johnston and Judi Lee) and True Value Hardware. Booked for Value City were Oksana Fedunyzyn and Joe Dempsey. They cast Lance Barber for Ladbrokes as well as Katie Maringer and Brian Posen for Blue Rhino.

Ambassador Talent sends word that Elliott Quigley, Martin Shannon and Ron Perriaro all booked industrials. And, it proved to be a good week for Elliott Quigley, who also booked several television and radio voice overs.

The team at Baker Rowley informed us that there were on-camera bookings for Hunter Kottke, Adam Turman, Naomi Young Armstrong, Frank Livarsi and Ken Phul.

Lily’s had commercial bookings for clients Holly Swanson, David Vogel, Allen Alvarado, Phoebe Mejia, Treasure Wallace and Arthur Solomon. Thomas Colby booked a voice over, and Marty Shannon will soon be seen on "Early Edition".

McBlaine reports that both Esther Scheurrer and David Nolan booked pilots. Jeff Dumas and Thomas Daniel booked commercials, and industrials went to Doug Pellitier, Annette D’Arino, Michael Williens, Steve Hickson, Larry Watchorn, Fanny Moy, Bill Kelly, Sharyn Grose, Anthony Rago, Richard Valentino, Denise Marks, Diane Tse, Perry Williams, Gina Sherman, Jamie Beth Henkin, Cupid Hayes, Steve Cardomone, Michael Chin, Dan Masterson, Gerry Gosnell, Beth O’Neil and Paula Sweeney. John Baskin, Michael Kuya, Anne Santiago and John Sterchi all booked voice overs.

Loads of voice overs for Talent Group clients. They include: Peter Dean, David Bryson, Elizabeth Zoller, Bill Keller, Sue Berg, Tom Steever, Pam Turlow, Richard Westring, Hedi LaRue, Jean Losquadro and Jonathon Watkins.

Family business. It’s been a boom time in the Petrie-Brueler household. Suzanne Petrie booked an "Early Edition" set in the theatre company producing A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Also, featured are Ron Dean, Jon Vickery, Ann Marie Rogers, Rich Talarico and Marie Marshall. Meanwhile, you can catch Bob Brueler on the big screen in A Piece of Eden at the Fine Arts. Directed by John Hancock, it also stars Tyne Daly, Frederic Forest, Marc Grapey and Tristan Rogers.

The Piven Workshop held a wonderful benefit screening of High Fidelity to raise funds for their many worthwhile outreach programs. It’s a terrific film and Chicago looks great. Even better are all the wonderful Chicago actors in it. Of course I am biased since the electric magenta haired kid is mine.

Along the same lines, I would like to digress for a moment and impart my own words of wisdom on the subject of manners or lack thereof. It was during the High Fidelity screening that I was seated near a young actor who was disgruntled about one of his scenes being cut from the film. He and his companions continued to complain vocally throughout the evening, oftentimes using revolting language. Unfortunately, it seems that some people need to be reminded that this type of rude behavior is not socially acceptable (or business-friendly–especially in this industry). Simply put, keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open if you don’t know whose company you are in. Better yet, don’t talk during the movies.

Peace.

Home