BY BELINDA BREMNER
It’s beginning to look a lot like...well, maybe not Christmas, but
certainly more like the good old days commercially. Okay, things aren’t
nearly back to where they were but at least some folks are busy and that’s
good for all of us. Now if we could seal the deal on a few films and maybe
land a television series or two. ’Tis the season for wishful thinking.
So what’s on the film horizon? Barber Shop should start up mid-January. Scouting about are Death Do Us Part with Michael Douglas for Franchise and The Core for MGM. We might get a piece of each. Also scouting with a March production date is Godsend for APG/AMG directed by Nick Hamm. A project with a May start date that is still considering Chicago is Tick Tock. There’s a road picture we might get some work from in February. It’s called The Tree and is directed by Howie Deutsch of Pretty In Pink. And the extraordinary Anna Deveare Smith will be directing Cabrini Green which chronicles the lives of that project’s residents from 1947 to the present. Filming will begin the April when she wraps "The West Wing." We are still keeping our fingers crossed, hoping Santa gives the green light (not red nose—don’t blame me, that was VerKuilien joke) to Personal Injury with Dustin Hoffman. Speaking of green lights, HBO began December 2 a 12-part series on the making of Stolen Summer, the Project Green Light film shot here last summer. And the Chicago "Real World" begins airing in January and advance word says it is very good.
Two films with local connections have made it to Sundance. Rain, which was shot in Iowa was cast by Tenner Paskal and Design was cast by Claire Simon Casting. Congrats.
Tenner Paskal has been busy busy with all that new commercial business. And they cast a short film, Flowers. Booked is the wonderfully talented and wonderfully wonderful Penelope Walker, Stephanie Childers, John Mohrlein, John Connelly, Amelia Cunningham, Ryan Kitely, Abby Sher, David Hoke and Mr. Indy Michael Gillio.
Meanwhile, Simon Casting cast commercials for companies such as Kraft and Lifetime Fitness. She is casting for The Color of Justice for Indiana Repertory and for the independent film An Advance on Life. Searches include those for Judd Apatow’s "Undeclared" and Leap of Faith" and for Hostile Act with Bruce Willis.
Catching up with Jennifer Rudnicke brings word that in the recent weeks she has booked Caroline Gehrke, Lindley Traynor, Thomas Roche, Kevin Lingle, Maria Faeinar Roble, Denise Marks, Gerald McQuirter, Phil Camacho, Tom Goodwin, Neil Massey, Emma Hostetler, Raymond Lopiparo, Julio Godinez, Martiza Godinez, Elisa Rodriguez, Oscar Canales, Joseph Meter, Craig Derrick, Alyssa Klein, Patrick Dorgan, Scott Higgs, Jeremy Orloff and Maggie Carney.
And Regina Prokopp of ReginaCast chimed in to remind folks to send headshots for "extra and principal casting in upcoming films and music videos." They are requested to call 312/409-5521 for recorded details.
Emilia Lorence clients with commercial bookings include Tyler Urbanski, Neal Daniels, Troy Burrows, Emily Reformada, Anna Whelan, April Baker, Derrick Nelson, Cathy Chase, Chris Jackson and Joe Fumo. Those booking industrials include Kate McCammond, Jack Price, Dave Tarzon, Rick Hall, Pam Mack, Ann Jacques, Paulette McDaniels, James Randle, Kate Johnson, Ray Andrecheck, Brian Delker and Chet Dubowski.
And catching up with Lily’s brings word that there were commercial bookings for clients Daniel Shelly, Jane Hu, Tony Brown, Rosalina Torres, Frank LaVecchia and Nate Noggle. Mark Stephan and Valerie Glowinski had voice-overs. Stacy Canino, Nate Noggle, Frank LaVecchia, Elizabeth Arceneaux Brad Potts, Mary Chaisson, Mary Becker, Kelly Banks, Nancy Oda, Roddy Chiong and Amelia Cunningham booked a film.
Please remember to send me ideas for giving. E-mail to BremnerB@aol.com.
PEACE.