There’s no third season shooting in Chicago for USA Network’s quirky comedy half-hour “Sirens” series about a group of paramedics in Chicago.
Low ratings did it in, despite its passionate fan base and good reviews, along with fact that the show wasn’t owned by the network.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is that a cluster of TV pilots are expected to descend upon the local scene, including the possibility of “Chicago Med,” spinning off of Dick Wolf’s high-rated NBC “Chicago PD/Fire” series, Hollywood features shooting scenes here and a passel of TV commercials.
(Although they had their wrap party a couple of weeks ago, “Chicago PD” will end filming April 27 and “Chicago Fire” shortly thereafter.)
It won’t be until May 10, however, when we learn what the plots of the new pilots, who will star, their production companies and what networks they are headed for.
Meanwhile, Spike Lee has settled into Cinespace production offices for the June start of his anti-violence movie, with the controversial title of “Chiraq.” It will be set in Englewood and other South Side locations.
Then, during the week of May 11, Chicago area native Melissa McCarthy will be in Chicago for three days to film scenes for the comedy “Michelle Darnell.” It’s been shooting in Atlanta and directed by her husband, Ben Falcone.
As for commercials, many out-of-town companies are filming at locations around the city: Cox Communications by LA company We Are Famous; Miami production company LaFabrica Films USA is here for a Latino Market Lottery spot and New York-based NYDK Productions is shooting a Kraft spot.
Local work: Adam Bomb Productions of Westchester is on assignment for a local casino. Onion Labs has a Simmons Mattress job, Studio Six is working for Sears and Digital Kitchen for Origin Capital.
