MIKE SCHMIEDELER, an 11-year Towers Productions' veteran, was promoted to VP/development and executive producer, from managing director.

Earlier, he'd been Towers' VP/production overseeing the production of specials and series for A&E, History, Discovery and the many other cable channels for which Towers provides original programming.

In his new role, he will be responsible for program origination and editorial oversight.

Before joining Towers in 1999, Schmiedeler was a producer on the award-winning PBS series “Today’s Life Choices.” He received a Gabriel Award (1995). He’s a 1994 University of Notre Dame grad and in 2001 received a grant from The Center for Religion & the News Media and studied at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism as a visiting scholar.

TWO CHICAGO FILMMAKERS copped top prizes at two different Washington, D.C. festivals this past week. Filmmaker Jerry Vasilatos’ music video for the band Braam’s song, “Burlington Northern,” won The People’s Choice Award at the World Music & Independent Film Festival.

The song is from band Braam’s soon-to-be released CD, “Living Room.” It stars up-and-coming starlet Andre’a Eve and newcomer Ivan Ballester.

Vasilatos and cinematographer Trevi Albin shot the music video in and around Chicago between January and August, 2009 as a backdrop for the song reflecting on the passage of time, memories and moving on.

Then, at the Washington, D.C. Indie Film Festival, Esau Melendez’ “Immigrant Nation: The Battle for the Dream,” won the 2010 Cine Latino Award.

Vasilatos' current project is the documentary "Yannis," which focuses on O.S.S. hero John Giannaris, who led his detachment of the Greek Battalion against Axis invaders behind enemy lines in Greece during World War II.

A NEW DIRECTION for Meghan Ross who starts a new chapter of her sales career when she joins Avid Sept. 7 as field marketing specialist, Central Region. Ross had sold the services of Resolution Digital Studio for several years.

ACTOR HILL HARPER ("CSI: New York") will make his directorial debut on a short film, "The Truth," written by entertainment attorney Randy Crumpton and actor Craig Harris. Crumpton's company, Brave Faces Entertainment is co-producing with casting director Sharon King. Hill shoots in Chicago Sept. 18-19.

A party to help raise production funds will be held Sept. 9 at the Victor Hotel, 311 N. Sangamon. Tickets are $20 and available by calling 312/435-1102.

LAURALYN FARWELL'S GABRIEL MEDIA GROUP has moved into new offices at 500 N. Michigan. Formerly with the now-defunct Pixel Brothers, Farwell's company is a media solutions company whose latest project is building a start-up social media networking site, call Ortsy.com, that includes video and multimedia features.

TIM FRICK’S MIGHTYBYTES moves from its offices of 11 years to an 1,100-sq. ft. rehabbed space at 5347 N. Clark, which includes an edit bay, conference room and room to expand with more designers and developers. Mightybytes staff includes seven full-time employees and three to five contractors.

Frick is also the author of “Return on Engagement,” a content, strategy and design technique book for digital marketing.

CHICAGO NATIVE HARRY LENNIX will MC the ground-breaking ceremony Sept. 10 for theatre producer/director Jackie Taylor's long-awaited, new Black Ensemble Theatre Cultural Center at 4440 N. Clark St. Singer Dionne Warwick is honorary national chairprson of the new theatre complex.

FILMMAKERS JOSEPH FARROW AND ROBERT JOHNSON hold Sept. 4 auditions for their micro-budget urban feature, “The Right Way,” about two best friends challenged with trying to what’s right, at Columbia College’s 916 S. Wabash building. There’s no pay but actors will receive a tape of the finished film. For more info, contact

REEL MICHIGAN: New Film Detroit manager is Hilary Bristoll, former account service rep for national cable sales at ABC Family.

Non-profit Film Detroit is a division of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, whose slogan is “Detroit, We’re Free and Easy” and should not to be confused with the City of Detroit Film office, provider of permits and liaison to city departments.

Film Detroit offers preliminary location scouting hotel and office accommodation assistance and 24/7 troubleshooting services. Film Detroit also has an L.A. office led by manager Karla Murray. —Ruth L Ratny

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