By BELINDA BRAMNER
Shame about Joan. Damn shame. Our one television show, giving so much work to so many and keeping our little iceberg in the public eye, cancelled. So, what happened?
A combination of things, I’m told. The show premiered post-sweeps last spring. It didn’t get a full season and the time slot was switched. It opened opposite the NCAA playoffs and still held a nine share. Still, the audience was growing. "Dharma and Greg" was only a teensy point higher. More episodes were ordered and the show went through a massive overhaul. Come fall, ABC did nothing to promote the show. All their hype went into Jason Alexander’s new series "Bob Patterson." Still all was fine until the dreadful events of Sept. 11 turned us into a nation of CNN junkies or "JAG" fans.
"The show was never given a chance to find an audience," said Illinois Film Office chief Ron Verkeilin. "They were about to make a decision regarding ordering more episodes at the end of this month," but then, last week, on Joan’s birthday, they pulled the plug. An actress on the show said that the announcement made the morning news before the cast was told.
Some positive news coming out of the Illinois Film Office. It looks very good for Barber Shop, the new film from the Soul Food team, to start pre-production here soon for a January shoot. Not final, but lookin’ good. We may still get a piece of Personal Injury, the Dustin Hoffman project for the spring. And there are still nibbles about Bonnie Hunt’s new feature Wedding Anniversary.
Good wishes go to the crackerjack agent Davia Lipscher, who is leaving Ford—much to the misery of her devoted clients. Her plans are not 100 percent, but a move to New York to continue her work within the industry looks most likely. Today, October 26th, will be her last day. Her duties will be assumed by co-workers Noreen Threlkeld and Linsie Belford. Good luck!
After weeks of speculation among clients and talent, North Shore Talent in Libertyville has at last announced that they are closing their shop effective immediately. (The doors will be open to talent who want to collect their headshots and materials; those who cannot make it should send a self-addressed stamped envelope.) The decision, says director Sherrill Tripp, came after three years of increasing financial difficulties. "That better year just hasn’t happened," she writes. She will be on hand, however, she says, "until all outstanding invoices are received and the talent associated with these invoices have been paid." She speaks for her partner Shelley when she praises her agency’s "unflappable business ethic" and thanks "our clients and casting agents," and also the talent.
So, what’s up with the casting directors? There’s been a noticeable upsurge in commercial auditions, both in camera and voice-over. A lovely feeling.
Tenner Paskal is still very busy with commercials. Bookings to come when they catch their breaths. Rachel Tenner’s Kwik Stop was SRO at the Chicago Film Festival. Congratulations!
Claire Simon Casting booked the simply spectacular Wendy Robie and Kate Goering for Worksong at the Missouri Rep. Winter’s Tale bookings to follow. They are casting for the independent film Three Girls and casting for a slew of commercials. On camera spots pots include projects for the Port Authority, Galyans, Budweiser, Country Connection, McDonalds, Cosmetic Surgery Center, Sears and Pontiac. There were voice-overs as well, including one for PrimeCo.
And birthday boy Peter Oestreich of Umlaut cast four on camera spots for Nintendo.
And the agents?
Emilia Lorence clients with industrial bookings include: Our Lady of the Industrials Ann Jacques, Hollis Huston, Al Lash, Kimberlie LaBranche, Anita Boyd, Larry Bell and Rick Plastina. Tons of commercials, too. They went to John Jordan, Varena Pangan, Jack Gold, Dana Groves, James Sawyer, Diane Headstream, Lisa Keefe, Anita Chandwaney, Barbara Blomquist, Albena Dodeva, Jane McCreedy, Kevin Lingle, Felipe Camacho, Rayna Craft, Jeanne Scurek, David Mendes, Charin Alvarez, Alicia Skirball, Stephan Solomon, Anisa Vasquez, Dee Washington, Rie Sato, Nancy Watson, Paulette McDaniels, Phil Duncan and Keelie Rue.
And lots of commercial bookings too for the folks at Lily’s. Commercials went to: Melanie Lamoureux, Brittany Kaplan, Nikole Childress, Tom Buttel, Bianca Meloneb, Nicholas Martinez, Alan E. Ferguson, Norissa Pearson, Arlene Cooney, Katie Nahnsen, Elizabeth Zoller and Douglas Mellor. Brad Potts booked an industrial. The "Lucky Seven" for November are: Christopher Gehrke, Cameron Gehrke, Caroline Gehrke (I’m sensing a theme here), Liesl Helminiak, David Stevens, Katie Nahnsen and James Chisem.
SAG members are reminded to make sure their ballots are in the mail TODAY! Vote! Vote as if your career depends on it—it does. So, why am I voting for Melissa Gilbert, you ask? To restore respect to the union and stop the business as usual policy. To ensure residual full payment. A 1999 SSAG study shows half the residuals owed are not paid. To go back to the table—in good faith—with the agents. To demand accountability for members’ money, especially the funds the Harper/Daniels/Sloan camp can’t or won’t account for. And to stop runaway production by refocusing our action on building support for tax incentive legislation. Any more questions, go to www.restorerespect.com
Peace.