BY BELINDA BREMNER
As you have no doubt heard, through our Web site or on the local tom-toms, Emilia Lorence Ltd. is closing its doors on July 26 after 31 years in the agent business. This was not an easy decision for Judy Kasner, Emilia’s daughter, who has been with the firm for the past 21 years and at the helm following her mother’s death, but one that she made with her characteristic charm, grace and good humor–all legacies from her mother.
This truly marks the end of an era. So many people have memories of climbing the Everest of a twisting, narrow–albeit highly polished—vintage staircase to reach their offices on Rush Street. Long will we remember the aromatic waves, nay tsunamis, of baking pizza from the restaurant situated below at street level. Nor will we forget all the many careers that were nurtured at their establishment. I can still see the rows of headshots papering the walls of the Victorian rooms and hear the phones ringing off the hook. Ah, the heady days of the late 70s and 80s. Ou sont les residuals d’antan?
In her letter, Judy thanks all the "Talent, Colleagues, and Friends" for the "fun ride" and for the "laughs, the support, the friendship." She says she couldn’t have done it without us, but so many of us couldn’t have done it without her, the staff, and of course, her mentor and mother, Emilia.
Speaking of partings, Till Death Do Us Part, the Michael Douglas feature, will be dropping by to shoot bits and bobs (that’s all we get folks, alas) this month and then again in October. The only other feature action of late has been Normal and Uncle Nino. And on the small screen there’s "ER," "West Wing" and "Mind of the Married Man."
So, who's in the aforementioned Mind of the Married Man"? Kristy and Jane of Jane Alderman Casting report that Darryl Warren, Chris Marrs, Richard Cotovsky, Jason Demusezek, Suellen Burton and Rick Snyder were all booked.
It’s commercials a-go-go at Tenner Paskal (Forgive me, it was thinking earlier about the 70s. I’ll try to be sure it doesn’t happen again.) Recent projects include Quaker Oats and Secret; Terry Kane and Brandy Malay were booked for those projects.
Claire Simon Casting reports that their search for Disney’s remake of Freaky Friday has young Danielle Panabaker being tested, and the very young Nicholas Roight King is being tested for Revolution Studios feature Daddy Day Care. The search is on too for Bad Santa for Dimension Films. Casting for television includes the NBC pilot "Ausa." Theatre projects include Eric Simonson’s production of Moby Dick at Milwaukee Rep. Commercials? There’s a spot for DSW Shoe Warehouse in the works. Other recent commercial bookings include a Homemakers spot with Nora Newbrough, Ruth DeBruyn, Karen Edwards, Susan Chiara, Rie Sata, Marianna Runge, Romona Pouncy, Molly Kaufman, Kati Brazda, Maria Ficocello and Nikole Childress. For Galyans they booked Nate Noggle, Bruno Massel, Scott Marsiglio, Dhruva Markowski, Lindsey Loesch, Erica Cobb, Taylor Couch, Laura Lopez, Jami Haasl, George Seegebrecht, Richard Thornton, Alan Ferguson, Madeleine La Rue, Tabbatha Olson, Jennifer Perry, Patricia Malone and Kyle Olszewski.
There are a few changes to mention at Linda Jack Talent. The front desk/reception/traffic manager is now Charles Duke. Many will remember Charles’ sister Tracy Davis, who worked with Jane Heitz Casting. And Shelly Carlson’s duties are now being filled by Debbie Cohen, who recently worked with Tenner Paskal. Yes, it IS a small world.
Large, however, is the list of bookings from Lily’s. In the last few weeks commercials have been booked by Ann Clemmons, Susan Coolidge, Gina Rodriguez, Kathryn Patton, Mark Stephen, Michael Boone, Peter Sokop, Gabrielle Green, Scott Antonucci, Vern Cutler, Bruce Kahn, Jim Trainor, Claudia Anderson, Alan Ferguson, Brandon Su, Shewandia Johns, Elvira Barragan, Kathy Beimfohr, Turner Simmons, Roger Anderson, Christopher Gehrke, Rita Reed, Cameron Kush, Nancy Howland Walker, Dave Gordon, Peter Nicholas, Tom Lind, Kelly Banks, Mia Park, Faith Russell, Chong White, Bob Guy, Jean Galan, Anthony Sullivan, Goldie Guillen, Larnzeil Harper, Cali Ali, Linda Augustine, Tenner Hemphill, Cosima Greco, Chanel Beer, Adam Estes, Johnny Wells, Lyle Nicholson, Molly Gordon, Vincent Saia, Stacy Parker, Jill Hughes, Rob Babcock, Alva Loomis, Herb Wilkerson, Kenny Cook, Janetta Ratiu, Elizabeth Arceneaux, Nikole Childress, Amy Joob, Barbara Williams, Byron Woods, Marv Goldsher, Cardi Fleck, Maria Aku, Ali Davis, Fiona Brogni, Maria Ficocello, Jane Butler and new exclusive Audrey Allen. Industrials were booked by Mark Nilsson, Karen Rosenberg, Tom Gaitsch, Ana Maria Alvarez, Lee Fuller, Brandon Su, Tenner Hemphill, Ricky Perez, James Chisem, Jon Sattler and Laura Sigler. Voice-overs went to Rita Reed, Ray Thompson and Parvesh Cheena (who is making his professional theatre debut in Indian Ink at Apple Tree). Catching up on film bookings, Phillip Earhardt was booked on Uncle Nino and Olga Ravassi was booked for Normal. And the "Lucky Seven" for July are the new exclusive Brandon Su, twins Samantha and Sarah Nelson, Dave Roberts, Dawn Roberts, Lisa Stran and Vola Frohman.
And reviews are in from the LA Film Festival for Two Weeks, One Year. FX Feeney of the LA Weekly praised its truthfulness and likened writer-director Chris McKay to Bertolucci. He went on to praise actors Michael Gilio and Krissy Shields for their "fiery, unmasked performances whose authentic intimacy anchors the film." Congratulations!
Peace!