Our big movies have wrapped, but “Prison Break” will start shooting soon, both here and in Joliet. Claire Simon is in charge of the casting. Another project for the small screen is the pilot for a sports based show called “Wizards of Odds” which Tenner Paskal Rudnicke is casting. More of both anon.

As of this writing the only major feature work coming here will be Flags of Our Fathers, a film about the men who raised the flag at Iwo Jima. The film will be directed by Clint Eastwood for Melpaso Films. They’ll be here late October to early November. There is lots of indy work and lots of scouting so, fingers crossed, it will be a busy 2006.

Details will be forthcoming about the next SAG/AFTRA “Meet the Agents” projects. The unions are setting in motion a process by which actors can meet and talk with our top agents, bypassing the often frustrating submission agony. Please, do not call the office. Details will appear here and in “The Activator” or in the Chicago pages of aftra.com or sag.org in plenty of time.

Jane Alderman will be casting once again when “ER” comes into town.

Things are so busy at Tenner Paskal Rudnicke that we will catch up with them in the next issue.

That was the case last month with Claire Simon Casting. Swamped with sessions, they postponed sending the bookings until this week and here they are. The office is currently casting for Episode 5 of “Prison Break,” a 2-hour premiere to air on Fox, Monday, Aug. 29. Should be required viewing for all Chicago actors.

They have cast the following actors thus far: Anthony Fleming, Brian Hamman, Chris Stolte, Gianni Russo, Anthony Starke, Danny McCarthy, DuShon Brown, Johnny Conrad, Ashley Boetcher, Chavez Ravine, David Lively, Mac Brandt, Wesley Walker, Ora Jones, Phil Van Lear, Marc Morettini, Sandra Marquez, Peter Reineman, Linara Washington, Craig Harris, Tab Baker, Tracey Bonner, Jason Wells, Tom McElroy, Lillian Almagauer, Cedric Young, Deanna Dunnagan, Jennifer Joan Taylor, John Judd, Mike Vieau, Jennifer Kern, Kevin Kelly, Touche Likes, Tonray Ho, Alan Wilder, Dylan Minnette, Jane Heitz and Max Kirsch.

Simon is also busy casting for theatre for Madison Repertory’s Fall Festival of New Plays, generals for Kansas City Rep Theatre’s 2005-2006 season, Intimate Apparel for Milwaukee Rep, 80’s Prom Night and West Side Story. Recent theatre bookings are: Jason Bradley in A Month in The Country for Milwaukee Rep.; Mattie Hawkinson in Inherit the Wind for Indiana Rep.; Matt Schwader in A Christmas Carol for Indiana Rep.; John Mossman in A Walk in the Woods for Madison Rep.; EJ Murray and Linda Bright Clay in Having Our Say for Madison Rep.; Larry Neumann Jr. and Wendy Robie in Rembrandt’s Gift for Madison Rep.; Corey Boardman, Stephen Schellhardt and Zach Hanna for the Detroit opening of Altar Boyz.

Commercial casting at Claire Simon includes projects for The Room Place and Famous Footwear. Bookings for recent castings include: Anne Dralle, Bret Wozniak, Kimberly Blackburn, Ruth DeBruyn, Jessica Vilchis, Sara Maultsby, Brittney Sorrel, AJ Bontempo, Jakub Lisek, Andrew Arrington and Darlene D. for a Lipfusion commercial. Peter Hernandez, Donovan Klein, AJ Bontempo, Brandon Foss and Luke Hahle for a Jockey print ad. For a massive Value City shoot they booked: Samuel Ladd, Pippa Soo, Jessica Jadron, Melissa Pillarellz, Porscha Betchner, Jacquie Tietz, Hannah Hayes, Torrie Bagda, Alvin Ramirez, Ashanti Bernal, Elie Akl, Josie Chai, Renee Garza, Michaela McClain, Jennifer Wojeck, Emily Hansen, Anna Cook, Beautyful Brown, Anthony Walker, Julian Thomas, Paris Whitehead, Kent Ethridge, Jaclyn Gessert, Abigale Gardner, Brooklyn Wheeler, Marcedes, Tashay Morris, Shawntel Smith, Julia Dumalo, Tierra Lidell, Cidney Robinson, Joshua Pertler, Taylor Mitchell, Tyler Frieson, Shenell Randall, Joseph Foster, Morgan Arshonsky, Olivia Palak, Eric Nowicki, Jillian Fuller, Briana Giles, Essance Turner, Chad Houdak, France Jean Baptiste, Jazmine Reynolds, Samantha Schacter, Steph de Waegeneer, Kaylan Gugileom, Naomi Stevens, Tyrin Shield, Max Zuppa, Danilelle Whitman, Samantha Scarpelli, Kenny McKee, Amber Kovamn, Kaylan Smith, Richard Keo, Andrew Arrington, Chloe Lasser, Seasonne Haynes, Jesse Lachczyk, Andrew Hall, Michael Rocher, Droffel-C, Samantha Scanlan, Tiffany Gills, Alcolu Lyman, Samantha Owen, Vaughan Meyer, Kristin Veselka, Cory Veselka, Mark Almaria, Cecilia Onwukwe, Errol Rice, Jason Sinohui, Danielle Dublinsky, Ashley Hinshaw and Sarah Baker.

Perhaps all that is why Claire Simon has recently expanded the office.

One of the really good guys is gone. We have to say good-bye to Mike Jablonski, husband, friend, and business partner of Linda Jack. He died at home Tuesday night. His memorial will be Monday at the Apollo Theatre at 7pm and all are welcome. He leaves behind a void of intelligence, humor, kindness, horse-sense, dedication, and so much more. Sadly, they really don’t make them like him anymore. Lisa Lewis said it better than I. “Mike was a pretty terrific guy.   Whether he was recording your audition (and offering darn good advice on the read) or working behind the scenes to streamline the talent payment process or upgrading the studio to digital or just hangin’ out shooting the breeze, an actor always found a good friend in Mike. To say that he will be missed is the understatement of the century.” The thoughts and good wishes of our entire community, here in Chicago and in all the corners Mike’s quiet, generous spirit touched, will be with Linda who has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Mike’s name to the American Cancer Society.

Rest up. It’s going to be a busy autumn.

Peace. 

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