BY BELINDA BREMNER
Psst…buddy! Wanna have a good time and support Chicago filmmakers? Then take yourself to Landmark Century on October 17 at 9:15 p.m. to catch the screening of Chicago Film Festival entry Kwik Stop. The film was written, directed by and stars Michael Gillio and was produced by Rachel Tenner of Tenner Paskal. The Film Festival Web site (www.chicagofilmfestival.com) describes the film as "a new spin on the road movie…both touching and unpredictable, [Gillio’s] Midwestern fable follows an aspiring actor who sets off for sunny L.A..." Tickets are available online, at the festival office located at 32 West Randolph, Suite 600, or at any Ticketmaster.
It should be a great night, especially for Chicago actor spotting. Look for such local luminaries as: Karin Anglim, Rich Komenich, Sunny Siegel, Margaret Kusterman, Caitlin Hart, Margaret Travolta, Pat McCartney, Chris Stolte, Ike Eichling, Guy Barile, Kurt Naebig, Bob Brueler, Kate Winters, Mary Kay Sprecht, Whitney Powell, Rick Tellone, Bob Rokus, Eric C. Johnson, Ross Frellick, Joe Forbrich, Charles Trimibach, Kris Wolff, Doug Steckel, Jennifer Rudnicke, Greg Sandquist, Kirby Julian, Cynthia Judge, Sean Mulrooney, Josh Eggebeen, Tom Meyer and Bruce Rosenzweig.
Not going to be a lot of filming around here anytime soon. In light of last month’s terrorist action, the folks at "ER" have decided to scrap their scheduled visit here this month. Barber Shop (which was looking pretty good for November) is still waiting for the green light.
The one television show we have, indeed just about all the film work we have in town, is cast by the fine folks at Jane Aldermen Casting. "What About Joan" is a part of ABC’s Tuesdays night line-up at 7:30 p.m. Tune in to see your pals. Appearing soon will be Mark Collins, Scott Cummins, Elaine Robinson, Ann Marie Rogers, Jim Saitouros, Matt Scharff, Gary Cole and Guy Van Swearingen.
Arrowhead is the new independent film for which Chicago Casting Company is conducting a search.
Claire Simon Casting is working on Worksong and Winter’s Tale for Missouri Rep. Commercial projects include work for Sears and Pontiac. They booked Patrick New, John Conrad and Miguel Niño for Primeco.
And Tenner Paskal is working on a slew of commercials. Most recently they booked Joe Forbrich, Jen Tyler and Luke Arbanas for Ford Windstar.
From Lily’s comes word that industrials were booked by clients Carl Jason, Rula, Rob Amos, Parvesh Cheena, Steve Cardamone, Tom Gibson and Eileen Pagenhopf. Commercials went to Larry Yeider and Victoria Jesionek.
Congratulations to local PR person Karin McKie who, between cranking out press releases and her duties in Hellcab and rehearsing The Coarse Acting Show with Shakespeare’s Motley Crew, booked a Bud Lite spot and joined SAG!
A side note: If you want to stop the runaway production–which is sucking any hope of work from both Illinois and the US to the tune of $15 million samollians–you can pick up a pen and write to your Congressperson telling him or her to work on legislation to stop it. Tell them in your own words, using personal anecdotes about how the loss of work to foreign countries impacts you. If you don’t know who your Congressperson is, then call the Illinois Film Office at 312/814-3600.
Reminder: SAG members have a very important election coming up and ballots are being mailed out October 12. For more information logon to www.performink.com, www.unitedactors.com or even e-mail Lisa Lewis at risaroo@earthlink.net. If anyone wants to know whom I’m backing, I am proud to say that my vote will go to Melissa Gilbert and I’ll be happy to tell you why. Just ask.
PI bids a fond farewell to Paula Muzik, who has been wheeling and dealing at the Geddes agency for the last 20 years. Paula isn’t straying far from the agency biz; word has it that she’ll will be a personal manager.
Don’t forget those school supplies for Hearts of the Arts!
Peace.