BY BELINDA BREMNER
Fingers are crossed for new Chicago pilot "What About Joan." So many wonderful people are attached to the project and it would be a great boon for the Chicago community. "ER" is due back again. Muhammad Ali and Road To Perdition are shooting. Ball In The House, the Tanya Wexler independent, has wrapped. Crazy Love is finishing its Canadian shooting and the folks who brought you Watcher are here with Children on Their Birthdays and Joshua. What’s on the horizon? As of now, what with looming strikes and all, nothing is certain. However, Tom Rosenberg and Lake Shore Entertainment have been scouting here for the film version of Philip Roth’s The Human Stain. Also scouting, but on hold until the WGA agreement has been signed, is Christmas Rush, set in the Water Tower.
In addition to her duties with the two Paul Pompian films–Children on Their Birthdays (directed by Mark Medoff) and Joshua–Jane Alderman is conducting a search for the Studios USA pilot "The Third Degree."
Chicago Casting Center cast Jack McCabe from Baker Rowley in the pilot "Smalltown X." News of more bookings will follow. They are also working on the ABC pilot "The Mark of Greatness."
Big booking from Jennifer Rudnicke and Jaz Casting for that Jewel spot. Booked were: Gigi Buffington, Nydia Rodriguez, Tom Gaitsch, Megan Moore Burns, Joe Krowka, Sia Moody, Jim Jackson, Varen Black, Quincy Young, Beth Kathen, Albena Dodeva, Josh Weisberg, Pat Vern-Harris, Kathy Jaeck and Carmen Roman.
More bookings for Muhammad Ali from Simon Casting. Joining the cast are John Connolly, LaDonna Tittle, and Eddie Bo Smith. Young Gretta Honold was tested for the NBC pilot "Chestnut Hill." Simon is also working on three more NBC pilots: a Steve Koren project, the Betsy Thomas/Paul Reiser project, and "Inside Schwartz." Late bookings include the Thorwood High School cheerleaders, Aaron Himelstein, Cedric Young, Meg Thalkin, Bruce Jarchow, Gregory Rather, Michael Perkins, Jeremy Earl and Frank Bacaro.
Lily’s reports that there were commercial bookings for Morgan Smith, Tim Siaske, C. J. Lee and Adriana and Cassie Sais. Voice-overs were booked by clients Maritas Cumba, Chelsey Mortenson and Lindsey Foreman. And a slew of industrial bookings went to: Gary Gosnell, Madeline Marsh, Peoa, Deanna Hanna, Jason Albright, Jenna Albright, Gianna Civito, Vincenzo Civito, Jimmy Guo, Brianna Byrd, Kiara Byrd, Liam Phee, Siobhan Phee, Giovanni Diaz, Patience Blessing, Kalvin Catlin, Skylar Schultz, Kayla Ready, Mary Jane Lee, Chloe Peterson, Nigel Williams, Elijahben Israel and Darrian Eason.
April’s Lucky Seven: Amanda Rempert, Chase Ludwig, Rosalina Torres, Steve Cardamone (so good in A Doll’s House), Makeba Pace, Wynter Spears and Luke Hatton.
And Melissa Fullen has joined the staff at Lily’s. Fullen was an actress in her very early years and has a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Southern Methodist. She’s worked as a reporter all around the country for CBS, ABC and Fox. Welcome!
Emilia Lorence catches us up with word that there were commercials for clients Joe Krowka, Bob Holomshek, Dave (Letterman) Kappas, Michael Reilly, Alicia Skirball, Nancy Schultz and Nydia Rodriguez. John Conrad and Dean Clark booked voice-overs and industrials went to Albena Dodeva, David Mendes, Derrick Nelson and Cyndi Rhoads. Additional bookings went to Rick Hall and Cathy Breslin.
And a message from the one and only Danny Goldring, who’s out on the left coast and has been booked as the "The Man With a Name" on "The Invisible Man." Pretty darn high profile.
Book out when you are unavailable. Keep your pictures fresh and plentiful. Stay positive. Tape the midseason replacements. Learn a new skill. Keep your mind nimble by memorizing and your soul refreshed with volunteering. Spring’s around the corner!