| Reel Chicago – At the intersection of Chicago Advertising, Entertainment, Media and Production
Reel Chicago is a daily digital magazine that covers the news in Chicago on all aspects of advertising, film, TV, media and production. The content is original, written by industry experts and contributing Op Eds
As we reported earlier in the week, the Illinois Film Alliance (IFA) is partnering with, and moving into, the AbelCine space on the Cinespace Chicago Film Studios lot, as they collaborate on The Hub @Cinespace for Indie filmmakers. If you are interested in lending a hand in the move, they are asking for help in … Continue reading “The IFA is looking for assistance on their move into AbelCine”
The Independent Film Alliance of Chicago (IFA) and AbelCine are collaborating on the development of a community center on the Cinespace Chicago Film Studios lot. Programming will address the business, creative, and technical aspects of independent production. The organizations will focus on developing the potential of local independent producers and filmmakers and introducing them to … Continue reading “AbelCine & IFA collaborate on The Hub @Cinespace for Indie filmmakers”
Motion Impossible, the modular remote dolly systems and camera stabilisers manufacturer, has announced the opening of its US division. To ensure the best on-the-ground support, the company has formed a partnership with AbelCine, the industry leading film and broadcast equipment integrator, to provide sales, training and technical support across North America. Motion Impossible currently produces … Continue reading “AbelCine & Motion Impossible partner on AGITO”
AbelCine will have a booth at Filmscape Chicago, the cinema and television production expo that focuses on community building, providing two days of completely FREE education for technicians, film students, and filmmakers. This year the expo will be held virtually from August 29-30, with free classes held before and during the show. On Thursday, August … Continue reading “AbelCine Workshops at Filmscape 2020 virtual show”
Editor’s Note: They are leaders. They are inspirational. They are mentors. They are visionaries. They are, quite frankly, badasses. They are our 2020 Reel Women During Women’s History Month, you will be able to meet these incredible personalities in Advertising, Entertainment, Media and Production. Get ready. Megan Donnelly is the Technical and Educational Development Manager … Continue reading “REEL WOMEN: Megan Donnelly, Training Mgr, AbelCine”
Check out the lens and get advice from Fujinon specialists at the company’s Cinespace showroom this Thursday July 11 AbelCine Chicago will offer a first-look at the Fujinon Premista this Thursday July 11 from 2-5 p.m. at their office on the Cinespace Studios campus (2602 W. 16th Street). According to the company’s At the Bench … Continue reading “AbelCine offers first look at the Fujinon Premista”
See gear up close and network with fellow creatives over various yummy treats at AbelCine’s showroom on the Cinespace Campus AbelCine Shop Talk is a new event series taking place in Chicago on the first Friday of every month. Fun, informal, and educational, the program aims to bring the Chicago community together around an interesting … Continue reading “AbelCine launches “Shop Talk” series September 7″
AbelCine is busier than most retail establishments at 10 o’clock on a weekday morning. But then again, AbelCine is not like most retail establishments. Located in a stately redbrick four-story building across the street from Cinespace, the company includes several film industry vendors among its neighbors. “We encourage people to touch things when they come … Continue reading “10:20 a.m. — AbelCine”
AbelCine’s Chicago Cinema Tech Expo this Saturday will be “bigger than we’ve ever done before,” says Brian Khan, the company’s Business and Community Development Specialist. “Every year, we do a signature event,” he continues. “We did the open house two years ago, the Fall Tech Expo last year. This year, we’re going to have dozens … Continue reading “AbelCine’s Chicago Cinema Tech Expo”
AbelCine camera sales and training center at Cinespace is hosting its first Fall Tech Expo Saturday, Oct. 8, bringing together new cameras and lenses that were introduced earlier this year at NAB, Cinegear and IBC.
More than 400 film professionals have RSVP’d their attendance at the free Expo, being held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at AbelCine’s Chicago Learning Point on the fourth floor at 2602 W. 16th St.
The DPs on “Empire” and “Chicago PD” will be among the top production, equipment and tech professionals who will help celebrate the grand opening of AbelCine’s Chicago Learning Point, at an Open House, Saturday, Nov. 7.
Chicago’s infrastructure got another big boost with the official opening Monday of AbelCine’s new Learning Point at Cinespace — this region’s first-of-a-kind combo interactive showroom, classroom and community space.
New York-headquartered camera sales and service provider giant AbelCine will settle in at Cinespace in mid-summer, offering a unique Learning Point for on-going educational workshops and seminars, an interactive sales showroom space for hands-on equipment evaluation, and a welcoming center for community activities.
IFA Chicago’s inaugural Fall Into Film Block Party event, celebrates the growth of the film industry in Chicago, the arts, creatives & filmmakers, and the local community. Whether you are a creator/filmmaker, member of the community, sponsor, business in the neighborhood or a local community member…all those looking to support our mission – this event … Continue reading “IFA Block Party celebrates the growth of the Chicago film industry”
This weekend, Filmscape 2021 holds their hybrid model of online and in-person events for this year’s event taking place on the Cinespace Chicago Film Studios lot August 28-29. They will be hosting three educational tracks of in-person and online classes, geared towards the needs and interests of those involved in Grip & Electric, Production & … Continue reading “See you at Filmscape 2021 on Cinespace lot this weekend”
Filmscape 2020 goes virtual August 29 & 30. Exhibitors get a virtual booth on a dedicated page on the Filmscape website. Every year, Filmscape Chicago, an educational nonprofit focused on skill building for technicians and artists in the Chicago film and television industry, holds an annual event which hosts high-profile vendors, educational workshops, panels, and … Continue reading “Filmscape 2020 goes online with virtual exhibitor booths”
Cinespace Chicago Film Studios has released their own set of Production Safety Guidelines and announced their partnership with ServPro, which will be the exclusive cleaning service allowed on campus. These updates come as the City and State move further into Phase 3 of Re-opening. Among the industries reopening- with strict safety guidelines- are: childcare businesses, libraries, bars and outdoor dining at restaurants. Cinespace president, … Continue reading “Cinespace releases their Production Safety Guidelines”
Megan Donnelly of AbelCine recently had the opportunity to sit down for a conversation with DP Tommy Maddox-Upshaw to discuss his career, his inspirations, and his most recent work with the Sony VENICE on Season 6 of FOX’s Empire, and two seasons of FX’s SnowFall. They discussed his approach to shooting Empire with the Sony VENICE camera and how he maximized … Continue reading “Behind the Scenes: DP Tommy Maddox-Upshaw”
Noah Kadner, Editor-in-chief at AbelCine goes Behind the Scenes with filmmaker Robert Hanna. Cinematographer Robert Hanna is an Emmy-award winning, veteran commerical, and documentary filmmaker, whose credits include Carrier, Circus, and A Portrait of Robert Frank. His current project is Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children, a documentary miniseries for HBO debuted in April 2020. In this exclusive … Continue reading “Behind the Scenes: documentary filmmaker Robert Hanna”
Noah Kadner, Editor-in-chief at AbelCine goes Behind the Scenes with The Slow Mo Guys. The Slow Mo Guys are creator/cinematographer Gavin Free and co-host Dan Gruchy. Free and Gruchy primarily use a Phantom Flex4K high-speed camera to capture various forms of natural and physical phenomenon in super slow motion at 1,000 frames per second. Popular episode subjects include … Continue reading “High-Speed cameras and ‘The Slow Mo Guys’”
Over the past week it’s safe to say that the Illinois film community is doing their best to ensure that their employees are safe during this unfortunate time. In light of worldwide health concerns about the impact from the COVID-19 virus, many have postponed production until further notice. Starting Monday, Cinespace will close the secondary … Continue reading “At Cinespace and beyond. Who’s working today.”
Mott Hupfel is a cinematographer known for his work on The Savages, The American Astronaut, The Cobbler, and You. When researching the Sony VENICE for an upcoming project, he discovered the camera’s Sensor Extension System, also known as Rialto. Recently, he talked to Albelcine about his latest project, The Last Shift which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and … Continue reading “Mott Hupfel takes ‘The Last Shift’ to Sundance”
A cohort of young professionals assured industry leaders that the future of Chicago production is in good hands at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios on Monday afternoon. Highlighting the Wrap Party for the Mirkopoulos Internship Program, each member of the group had just finished working as temporary crew on Chicago Fire / PD / Med, and … Continue reading “CineCares’ Mirkopoulos Internship cohort keeps it going”
‘Just Mercy,’ ‘And Then We Danced,’ ‘Ready for War’ take top honors at 55th Chicago International Film Festival The Chicago International Film Festival today announced the winners of the Festival Audience Awards, presented by Xfinity. Voted by Festival-goers, the Audience Award for Best Feature goes to Just Mercy by director Destin Daniel Cretton. The … Continue reading “ChiFilmFest announces 2019 audience winners”
Aemilia Scott, Holli McGinley film follows a single mother living on the edge of Chicago’s Humboldt Park The 55th Chicago International Film Festival has announced the winner of The Pitch at the 5th edition of Industry Days: Three Hours, directed by Aemilia Scott and produced by Holli McGinley. The film follows a single mother living … Continue reading “‘Three Hours’ wins ChiFilmFest’s $20K Pitch”
Five film projects to compete for $20,000 awards package of in-kind goods and services The 55th Chicago International Film Festival announced a slate of five narrative feature film projects in active development that will be pitched in front of a live audience and a panel of distinguished industry judges during the Festival’s Industry Days … Continue reading “ChiFilmFest announces slate for “The Pitch””
Event produced by Latinos Progresando spotlights culture and contributions of Mexico and Mexican-Americans Latinos Progresando — a Chicago community development organization working on the issues of immigration, peace, health, and education — yesterday presented MEX talks, an exciting speaker showcase featuring a panel of Mexican-American filmmakers, authors, politicians, activists, and media personalities who delivered … Continue reading “Cinespace sponsors 7th annual Mex Talks”
Master Classes with Oscar and Sundance winners are just a few of the events scheduled for October 17-20 program The 55th Chicago International Film Festival announced today the program for Industry Days (October 17-20, 2019) with an impressive list of guest speakers to inspire and illuminate the film and entertainment community. A … Continue reading “ChiFilmFest unveils Industry Days agenda”
“Knives Out” starring Daniel Craig among first round of films announced for 55th run, October 16-27 Mimi Plauché, Artistic Director of the Chicago International Film Festival, today announced titles selected for the Galas and Special Presentations programs for the 55th edition of the Festival. Offering movie lovers a first look at the year’s most highly … Continue reading “ChiFilmFest unveils Gala & Special Presentations programs”
“neXt” — a modern-day series about technology run amok — will start shooting in Chicago this Fall Cinespace Chicago Film Studios announced today that Fox’s new American drama series, neXt, will film at its West Side campus this fall. The studio announces the news less than 24 hours after unveiling its 2019 production schedule, adding … Continue reading “New Fox drama series to film at Cinespace”
The largest film studio in the Midwest prepares for a busy season of hit shows with 13 new interns Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, based on the west side of Chicago, and currently the second-largest film studio in the country, welcomes back many popular series and announces several new television shows now filming at its campuses. … Continue reading “Cinespace announces 2019 production lineup”
Coming-of-age comedic drama follows the lives of three roommates on the autism spectrum who are “striving for the same things that we all desire” Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, one of the largest film studios in the country, based on the west side of Chicago announced a deal with Amazon Studios to begin filming the half-hour … Continue reading “Amazon to film ‘On The Spectrum’ at Cinespace”
Chicago Film Studio’s generosity honors a tradition of community support established by Cinespace Founder, “Uncle” Nick Mirkopoulos Cinespace Chicago Film Studios will donate $25,000 to enable Greek schools to modernize curriculum and enhance student participation, as announced by the Chicago Greektown Educational Fund (CGEF). The announcement renews support from CGEF’s “Nick Mirkopoulos Scholarship” partner one … Continue reading “Cinespace donates $25K to educational foundation”
Chicago film campus will be home to the musical drama that became an “internet favorite” after last summer’s pilot premier Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, one of the largest film studios in the country, announced an agreement with Netflix to film ten episodes of the musical drama Mixtape, starring Jenna Dewan, Callie Hernandez and Madeleine … Continue reading “Cinespace signs production deal for Netflix’ ‘Mixtape’”
Digital content distributor to film Gillian Flynn-remake of the British thriller at Chicago’s West Side studio campus Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, a 1.45 million square foot studio facility on the west side of downtown Chicago with additional studios in development at 31st and Kedzie, has inked an agreement with Amazon Studios to begin production … Continue reading “Cinespace signs production deal for Amazon’s ‘Utopia’”
Headliners include Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen, Emmy-nominated writer Bashir Salahuddin, and award-winning producers Albert Berger and Bob Teitel (Chicago — 26 September 2018) The complete program of Industry Days (Oct. 1114) at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival was announced today with an impressive list of guest speakers to inspire and illuminate the Midwest film … Continue reading “Chicago Int’l Film Fest releases Industry Days schedule”
Each of the 31 stages on the 1.5 million sq.-ft. original campus are booked, so the studio had to expand. “It’s a good problem to have,” says President Alex Pissios. Chicago Cinespace Film Studios expanded its West Side campus by arranging to purchase a former steel factory at 3355 W. 31st St. last month. … Continue reading “Cinespace adds new Chicago facility”
Producer/director Kamelya Alexan combined epic visuals, chilling suspense and a revolutionary VFX method to take Before the Fall into a place where no short has ventured before.
The eleven-minute Civil War fantasy tells the story of a young boy who tries to help his ailing mother by tapping the supernatural powers of a mythical beast in a nearby forest.
“The film is almost like two pieces in one,” says Alexan. “There’s a reality portion of the main character traveling through time, and a fantasy portion where he goes into a magical cave.”
Free Spirit Media’s Focus event at The Ivy Room on May 31 will feature “a lot of people and a chance to get together and reflect on a great year,” says Chelsea Corbin, FSM’s development & communication manager.
“It’s a big celebration of media in Chicago,” she adds, “specifically, the youth voice.”
One of the greatest causes for celebration will be a sneak peak at the film series Drive Slow, which was made by ten emerging filmmakers in Free Spirit’s Industry Pathways Certification program.
Corbin describes the group as “super talented.”
BLENDED AGENCY TRISECT a recently went through a rough patch that caused it to reduce staff by 25%, letting between 20 and 30 staffers go as a consequence of changes in the ConAgra account.
The agency explained in a statement that this was “a proactive step to ensure the agency is well aligned with rapidly shifting client needs and their demands for leaner, more nimble partners. Trisect is centered on its care growth drivers – digital marketing, social media and cross-channel content production.”
SCI-FI FEATURE “DAY 1” writer / director Jose Carlos Gomez of Skibofilms Productions, recently won Best Writer award from the Prairie State Film Festival, was nominated for Best Guerrilla Feature at this month’s Monrovia, Calif. Action on Film Festival and is a finalist of the online Los Angeles CineFest.
Stage 18, Chicago’s Film and Media incubator at Cinespace, co-founded by Angie Gaffney, introduced its new Production Partners Program — 16 companies that provide resources and discounts — to its 40 members last Friday night at AbelCine’s showroom at Cinespace Studios.
During the evening, the nonprofit once again delivered on its commitment to building Chicago’s independent film and narrative content community.
Only the fireworks will be missing from a big July celebration Tuesday when 2112, the creative industries incubator part of Dan Mahoney and Kent Neilsen’s vast Fort Knox Studios, called “the largest music ecosystem on earth,” reveals a new production studio and other additions.
In an effort to expand and unify Chicago’s growing independent film community, the Chicago Film Office has launched the Independent Film Initiative (IFI) for local filmmakers “to give them assistance and resources that will encourage them to fulfill their media and entertainment careers in Chicago,” says Chicago Film Office director Rich Moskal.
THE CHICAGO BEARS are redefining the way they connect with bilingual and bicultural Hispanic fans by signing with Paco Collective to head the team’s cross-cultural marketing.
This marks the Bears’ first formal partnership with an Hispanic-specific strategic marketing agency.
“MAYA ANGELOU: THE PEOPLE’S POET,” the feature doc being produced by Media Process Group’s Bob Hercules and Keith Walker, will air on PBS’ “American Masters” when it is completed next February.
FOR THOSE AGENCY STAFFERS who are desk bound and work long hours (i.e., everyone) Loop-based Animated Storyboards Chicago (ASB)encourages you to participate in a healthy activity twice a month, at a heart-pumping SoulCycle indoor cycling class, as ASB’s guest.
This is it!
By the time Sun-Times had headlined Gov. Bruce Rauner’s demand that Cinespace return a $10 million state grant, studio president Alex Pissios had already sent the uncashed check, plus interest, to the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
9-15 THE CHICAGO CRITICS FILM FESTIVAL the first festival programmed entirely by Chicago Film Critics Association members, presents 24 international festival favorites, including festival shorts programs and work as yet-undistributed work. Actors, writers and producers to attend.
Daufenbach Camera is continuing its efforts to build up Midwest work with a $500,000 investment in expanded space and inventory. “We want to let Hollywood producers know we’ve got all the gear here so there is no need for them to fly equipment in,” says owner/cameraman Lawrence Daufenbach.
Canon reps Ed Meyers and Tim Smith unveiled the EOS C300, touted as the company’s first bona fide cinema camera, in its Chicago debut Jan. 26 at the Gene Siskel Film Center.
Meyers and Smith presented the camera to a mostly-full house of camera pros in the Siskel Center’s 200-seat theater.
The new Canon Cinema EOS System C300 camera, designed and built from the ground-up for people who shoot movies and TV shows, will be presented at a Jan. 26 open house the Gene Siskel Film Center, to mark the release of the camera later this month.
The 3rd annual Advertising Community Shorts Night Tuesday at the Midwest Independent Film Festival, Tuesday, Oct. 1, presents the work of 15 filmmeisters from ad and marketing agencies, post/production houses, still photographers, Second City and Steppenwolf, from Chicago, Madison and Detroit.
Earlier this month a jury of knowledgeable souls from various aspects of visual media production judged an imaginative collection of entries from one to 16 minutes in length.
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