BY BELINDA BREMNER
In
the “Every Cloud/Silver Lining” department, we can thank the
weakness of the American dollar versus world currency for the boom in
Chicago film production. That, and the unflagging and Herculean work of
the Illinois Production Alliance (IPA), our enlightened elected officials
who have strived to stem the tide of runaway production, and the outstanding
efforts of our local film offices.
Let’s
review the list of currently rolling and upcoming productions: We have
The Weather Man (starring Nicolas Cage); Harold Ramis’ Ice Harvest;
the latest Batman (coming this summer) and several weeks of Oceans 12.
We also have exciting indies like Southside by Christina Varotsis and
Bruce Terris and definite maybes such as the new Bob Title low budget
roller-skating movie.
Jane
Alderman has been busy casting the new Jeff Foxworthy series “Blue
Collar” set for the WB as well as a half hour comedy for UPN called
“Second Time Around.” Two producers on “Blue Collar“
were here last fall for eight episodes of “The Jamie Kennedy Experiment,”
which Alderman also cast. Those episodes will start airing in April. Also
due in mid-April is casting for a big episode of “ER.”
Great
news from Claire Simon Casting. As a result of Claire’s casting
for the new Twentieth Century Fox show “Quints,” Sarah Wright
was booked for the pilot and Lisa Pace has been tested for the Fox pilot
“Point Pleasant.” Congratulations to all. Other pilots for
which Claire and company are casting include “Save the Garcias,”
“Lucky Us,” “Sweden, Ohio,” “Joey”
(the “Friends” spin-off), “Spellbound” and “Cat
Plus One.” In addition to the pilot projects, they are working on
commercials for Carsons, LaSalle Bank and Endurance.
And
Tenner Paskal, Rudnicke cast for a TBS promo for “Sex and the City,”
McDonalds, Lumber Liquidators, Quaker Oats, AARP and Kraft Easy Mac. They
cast Janice O’Neill and Mick Weber landed commercials. For the IFP
Production Fund winner, the indie short called The Apologies, they cast
Melissa Sienicke, Joe Forbrich, Mick Weber, Ryann Weir, Ed Smaron and
Aaron Christiansen. In addition to continuing the casting for Ice Harvest,
they are conducting a search for the Disney feature Sky High from the
producers of Freaky Friday
Fans
of the work of Chicago actors James FitzGerald and Will Clinger are invited
to a backers audition for their new musical Two For the Show on April
19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lake Shore Theatre. Knowing those fellas, it will
be a great time.
Peace.