Vince Vaughn directs his pilot here this week

With Vince Vaughn in town Wednesday through Friday to direct the mini-pilot for his half-hour comedy, “Firsts,” the biggest pilot season ever to descend on Chicago has begun.

“Firsts” will be produced by his Wild West Productions after it’s picked up as a network series -- and said series hopefully shot here.   More >

OneSun Entertainment President Frayne Lewis

Frayne Lewis, who grew up at Chicago Recording Company watching his father, Ramsey Lewis, record some of the great jazz records of his era, returns to CRC to make records of his own.

With over 20 years of production expertise ( John Legend, Rihanna, Jill Scott), Lewis and CRC manager/engineer Chris Shepard (Wilco, Smashing Pumpkins, Elvis Costello ) formed OneSun Entertainment Group, a production and artist development company.   More >

The Tattoo Factory owner Paul Collurafici

Watching episodes of “LA Ink,” Paul Collurafici thought “why can’t we do that?”

“We did 12,000 tattoos last year,” says the owner of the North Side tattoo and piercing shop The Tattoo Factory. “They’ve got a great program, but where are the tattoos? It’s all about who’s fighting with the counter girl, who’s sleeping with who.   More >

KRAFT VELVEETA CHEESE becomes a new taste sensation when microwave-melted with Rotel salsa into a chip dip that literally blows people away, in the currently airing “Blown Away” spot, with a second spot following via Draftfcb.

The spots were directed by Michael McGuire of Directors Bureau, L.A., and edited by Red Car’s Sean Berringer and assisted by Derek Viramontes.   More >

One of three PSA’s selected in support of abolishing California’s Prop 8 was produced by Foundation Content and is posted for voting until March 12 at hrcladinner.com/ehero/index.php.

Their entry, “Every Heart Matters,” was selected by the E-Hero Awards as one of the three top finalists that will screen at the prestigious 2010 Human Rights Campaign Gala in L.A. March 13.   More >

With “Matadors” and “A.T.S.” headquartering at Chicago Studio City for the duration of their pilot shoots later this month and into April, CSC owner John Crededio reopened Chicago Studio Rentals of lighting and grip equipment.

“We believe that the 30% tax credit will really kick in” and want to be prepared, says Crededio, who since the early ‘80s has owned and operated the big West Side studios, the biggest stage complex between coasts.    More >

Mahogany Monae in “Black Butterfly”

MARK HARRIS’(“Holla If You Hear Me”) feature drama, “The Black Butterfly,” has sold out its world premiere Wednesday, March 17. Mahogany Monae stars as an aspiring Olympic swimmer trying to get on with her life after being raped by a man she knows. DP is Ricardo Islas (“Night Fangs”).

With Keeland Ellis, Richard Gallion, Sheree Bynum, Lionel Gentle, David Holmes, Ron Cooper, Simeon Henderson, Kris Desautels, Theo Jamal, Craig Harris, Rahul Thakkar, Mileen Patel, Salma Khan, Elizabeth Abraham, Tiffany Cole, Jami Travis and Liz Beth.   More >

March 11 - COLUMBIA COLLEGE’S CINEMA SLAPDOWN over the documentary “Jesus Camp.” A debate follows the screening, featuring Dr. Erwin ("Save the children!") Lutzer, the Senior Pastor of Moody Church, vs. Angela ("Save the children - Really!") Fowler, the Director of Early Childhood Education Program at Columbia College. Refereed by Talk Cinema host and faculty member Ron Falzone.

At Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash, 7 p.m., free and open to all.    More >