BY BELINDA BREMNER
We have proof! Well, Proof, as in the film version of David Auburn’s play set at the University of Chicago. It’s a John Madden/Gwyneth Paltrow project and we have a couple of weeks on it towards the end of September. This is a healthy sign that Chicago-based stories might eventually be shot in our fair city again. The interiors, we hear, are being shot in London.
The Illinois Film Office reports that the legislature, which the Governor signed after your mighty efforts, has generated a great deal of interest—nay excitement. Calls are coming in, locations are being scouted, and there is a growing list of “hopeful-maybes.”
In the meantime, we do get a day on Shall We Dance as well as some second unit work on Connie and Carla, the sequel/spin-off of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
There’s a great deal of talk about the new Steve Jones project to begin casting in August for fall shooting. Another title floating around is Doubting Ruby and there is talk of new director; let’s hope all is happily resolved.
O’Brien Lauer will be casting the Steve Jones film as well as The Lion King for Milwaukee Rep.
Add Ricardo Gutierrez, Jane Alderman tells us, to the cast of Game of Their Lives which will be shot in St. Louis.
Claire Simon Casting reports that Belzer’s Science (shooting in Indiana) has at last completed casting. Early bookings include Justin Cholewa, Shannon Cochran, Tim Grimm, Marc Grapey, Kellie Hallihan, Brennan Brown and Linda Kelsey. In addition to spots for Carsons, Chevy and Fifth Third Bank, they are doing a great deal of theatre casting, including The Credeaux Canvas and the Fall Festival of New Plays for Madison Rep. They are also casting Front Page for Missouri Rep and The Night of the Iguana for the Guthrie.
Tenner Paskal Rudnicke is casting spots for McDonalds, Great Clips For Hair, and Sally’s Beauty Supply. For Mr. 3000 (shooting in Milwaukee) they’ve added Beth Lacke and Keegan Michael Key. They are also working on two independent films, Sand Castles and Grand Theft, the latter for the Bader Brothers.
Apologies to actor PATRICK Dollymore to whom I incorrectly referred as Patricia. And to his parents. And to my second grade penmanship teacher. I have self prescribed some intensive remedial Palmer method looping and hooking.
Peace.