THE NEWS OF CH. 11 axing of dedicated and capable Holly Gilson was disheartening. In a statement explaining her termination, the station praised her to the sky, calling her work “unparalleled” and that she was fired, after 13 years of commendable service.
Her position of strategic partners and special projects (sounds like fundraising to me) was eliminated in order to hire a person to fill the new post of director of development for the forthcoming “Imagining More” $75 million capital campaign.
It’s hard for me to imagine unimaginative Ch. 11 management doing things other than the predictable, same old same old it’s been operating and programming forever. It’s now 60 years old and changed with the times.
There’s a citizen’s group called “Fix Channel 11” that has come up with overdue changes to satisfy the increasing dissatisfaction of viewers like me. So, Fix Channel 11, it’s time you do your thing.
DON’T GET TOO EXCITED about the return of MTV’s “The Real World” set to shoot a 12-episode series about a bunch of strangers living together in the West Loop, with Big Brother cameras focusing on their every interaction.
When all permits are approved, the shooting would commence in July – but local crew hiring is expected to be minimal. Majority of the crew will most likely will come with the show from LA.
Production company is R.W. Productions, an affiliate of California-based Bunim/Murray Productions, the show’s original producer. “The Real World” first shot here way back in 2002.
SPEND “75 MINUTES WITH JOE CHAPELLE” “Chicago Fire’s” executive producer, who will talk about his illustrious career on hit TV shows (he also was EP on “Fringe” and co-EP on “The Wire”), Thursday, June 19 at Cinespace, 2621 W. 15th Place, at 7:30 p.m. The event is hosted by the Independent Feature Project. It’s free and open to all.
STREETFEST 2014 on Thursday, June 26, is the annual invitational summer party hosted by Comma, Particle and Onda, with the expectation of 350 agency clients and friends. Streetfest convenes in the parkng lot at 320 W. Ohio after work. Music by the Johnny Swim band. Plenty to eat, provided by food trucks the Tamale Space Ship, Fat Chalet sandwiches and Bridgeport pasties, and drinks, of course.
A ROOF GARDEN IS THE VENUE for Chicago Acting in Film’s (CAFM) 4th annual Summer Social and Fundraiser Friday, June 27 at the Kensington Roof Garden & Lounge. The $20 cash admission includes a drink ticket.
A portion of the proceeds goes to Care for Real, the Edgewater food pantry which helps people and their pets. The Kensington is at 812 N. Orleans; the fun runs from 6 to 9 p.m.
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