“Whirlwind” fall season yields good roles for actors

Christian Stolte

“A WHIRLWIND” SEASON of production – starting with a rush of commercials, four primetime network TV series, along with corporate and webs – has meant steady work for Chicago’s nationally respected talent.

“Agents have been busy overall,” notes David O’Connor of O’Connor Casting and the last month has been crazy for us, a whirlwind all year,” placing talent across the board.

“We’ve been doing everything, from voice to print to commercials to web series and a lot of real people,” he says. “And we sign a lot of actors to projects that don’t shoot in Chicago.”

Commercials filming for out-of-town production companies have been especially active here.  The Chicago Film Office reports recent shoots by Tool of America for Wal-Mart in Edgewater; Supply and Demand shooting motion and stills for JP Morgan Chase at Millennium Park and iconic Chicago landmarks; Jefferson Collective for a Facebook project and locally, One at Optimus for Kellogg’s Special K.

4 STAR CASTING, which Jesse Gisin and Erin Stewart opened a  year ago September, specializes in extras and their company also has been “super busy,” especially for commercials, says Gisin. Recent assignments were for Dick’s Sporting Goods, Oscar Mayer and T Mobile and upcoming is a Wal-Mart spot that shoots over in New Haven, Mich. Next week.

Star recently connected with DePaul’s cinema department to help students in casting their student films, says Gisin. She and Stewart previously worked at Atmosphere Extras Casting and their associate Amanda Bolger came over from Joan Philo’s casting company.    

ACTORS FOR PRINCIPAL ROLES for NBC’S “Chicago PD,” “Chicago Fire” and Fox’ “Empire” series are being cast by Claire Simon Casting. Paskal Rudnicke has the casting assignment for USA’s “Sirens.” “Sirens” is set to start shooting next week. “Empire” starts shooting on Sept. 4. An estimated 90-95% Chicago talent work each week on these four big shows.

“Chicago PD’s” third season begins airing on NBC Sept. 23.

COPS ARE WANTED as extras for NBC’s “Chicago PD,” at an open casting call by Tail Sticks Casting (no info on where it’s located) Saturday, Aug. 23, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, 1412 W. Washington. There, active and retired officers will have their photos taken and an extra’s role explained to them.

SAG AFTRA’S GOOD DEAL FOR MEMBERA is “The Red Hot Headshot Event,” Saturday, Sept 13, offered by the union’s Chicago Conservatory.  Lined up for headshot photography, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. are G Thomas Ward Photography; Maia Rosenfeld, Bryn Swisher and Nikki B., Grey Matter Photography, Cost is $135 for a half-hour session, $50 extra for a makeup pro.  To schedule, call SAG AFTRA’S Kathy Byrne, 312/867-5508.

ANOTHER GOOD DEAL for 48 Hour Film Project participants is being offered by Magnanimous Media: a 15% discount on rentals to filmmakers with proper verification of enrollment. The competition kicks off Friday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. and 4-7 minute finished films must be delivered by 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24.

Fall production has begun to explode!  That means you’ll have a lot of news to share with the Reel’s readers in the upcoming months.  Email to ruth@reelchicago.com.