LA based Chicago director duo joins Dictionary Films

Directing duo Justus Meyer and Eric McCoy

DICTIONARY FILMS’DIRECTORS’ ROSTER expanded with duo Eric McCoy and Justus Meyer, aka McCoy|Meyer, raising the number of directors to eight.  The Columbia College grads, 2005 and 2011, respectively, who have been working together since 2012, are based in Los Angeles. 

“They are young and growing and we’re going to find interesting projects for their documentary-style talents,” notes Dictionary’s EP Chris Rossiter.

McCoy|Meyer have directed some 50 short form projects, many through LA sourcing company Tongal, earning them a couple of awards. They’ve been director commercials for black & Decker, P&G and Verizon, among others.

Last September, Dictionary added director/DPs Dan Waymack and Logan Cascia.

THE RUMOR about a third NBC Dick Wolf show shooting here is gaining traction.  The current story goes that “Chicago Med,” being referred to in “Chicago Fire” shows, could become another series that, if true, would start filming here next spring when “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago PD” wrap for the season. 

Chances for more pilots shooting here, with series potential improved greatly since last pilot season. The prediction is that networks and cable collectively will produce a record 350 shows for next fall’s season. The increase of 100 more shows next year than in 2014 is due to the explosion of many new transmedia platforms, like Netflix and Amazon.

Sales treks to the Coast to consult with TV execs begins in early January.

THE NEW SVP/CD at Marc USA Chicago is SVP/creative director Susan Berlocci, responsible for Marc’s new Payless Shoe new account.  Most recently she was with Ryan Partnership Chicago and earlier held senior creative positions with FVB and now-defunct Element 79.  Marc USA also recently added Navistar to its client list.

FAMOUS DIRECTOR/PHOTOGRAPHER SANDRO, repped by Roy Skillcorn’s Seed Media, garnered another major honor – named the LA-based International Photographer Association as 2014 Photographer of the Year. 

Last April, Sandro spent three days filming and photographing John Malkovich for a “Malkovich, Malkovich, Makovich Homage to Photographic Masters,” on display at the Catherine Edelman Gallery, through Jan. 31. 

His latest TV campaign is for UPMC choices.  

ON THE REP SIDE, LA’s 8th Street Productions signed Nathan Skillicorn of Heart, Brains & Nerve  to rep the commercials and long-form LA company in the Midwest … Colleen, a Santa Monica management company signed Chicago area native DP John “Ping” Pingery for exclusive commercial representation. Three years ago Pingery turned his lengthy feature film experience to spots. He’s been DP on many national spots for such top directors Rob Cohen, Tom Dey, Chace Strickland, Jim Krantz, among others. 

SAG AFTRA’S “ARISE CHICAGO,” Annual Faith-Labor-Action Breakfast takes place Thursday, Dec. 11, 8 a.m. at Operating Engineers Local 399 Union Hall, 2260 S. Pine Grove. Emcee is Lisa Parker, NBC/5 News and SAG AFTRA member.

THE CHINESE COUPLE traveling Route 66 to LA stopped to film at the Carthage, Mo. at the 75 year old Boots Motel, which retains its original, simple, elegant design.

The movie is one of four short narratives that will be combined in a feature with a shared theme but with different characters and set in different countries.

Actors Machou Wu and Qian Yuang Wang, popular in China, portray a couple who who met and married in Chicago and travel Route 66 to LA.  Part of their traveling equipment was supplied by Product Productions. Other settings will be at the Grand Canyon and at the Chief Yellow Horse Trading Post in Arizona.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Still lots of work going on, so send your news to ruth@reelchicago.com before we take our annual Christmas vacation from Dec. 23 to Jan. 5, except for breaking news.