| 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
Court TV to cover trials involving George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Robert Durst, R. Kelly & more in months ahead. Court TV, the only multi-platform network devoted to live, gavel-to-gavel coverage, in-depth legal reporting and expert analysis of the nation’s most important and compelling trials, today at the 2020 summer press tour unveiled the cases and … Continue reading “Court TV to cover trials of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery”
Controversial rapper and Chicago native, Kanye West has joined the public outcry for police reform and justice for George Floyd and other African Americans killed by police brutality. The performer appeared in Chicago Thursday night at a “Justice for George Floyd/CPD out of CPS” rally on the city’s South Side. Alycia Kamil, 19, and Jalen Kobayashi, 19, … Continue reading “Kanye West joins Chicago demonstrations for Floyd”
Editor’s Note: “The Reel Black List” is our annual spotlight of brothers and sisters in the worlds of advertising, film, TV, music, radio and media who are making a difference through their contributions and creativity on a daily basis. During the month of February, you will be able to celebrate wonderful human beings, like Storm Smith with … Continue reading “RBL Spotlight: producer, Storm Smith”
It’s hard to remember back in February 2020, when the Kansas City Chiefs bested the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV and Parasite was winning Best Picture, no one was talking about COVID, the election and Black Lives Matter. We had no idea we were only a few weeks and months away from all … Continue reading “2020 in Review: Top Chicago advertising campaigns”
No need to dive in-depth into what a dumpster fire of a year 2020 has been. We all know. The pandemic has altered the way many of us view life for good. Even how we celebrate Christmas this year. And we really understand the ramifications of COVID here at Reel 360 and Reel Chicago. Because we reported on … Continue reading “Merry Christmas from Reel Chicago + Reel 360”
Molly Given, of the Philly Metro interviews Chicago filmmaker Steve James about his latest film, ‘City so Real‘ Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Steve James’ (Hoop Dreams, America to Me) fascinating and complex portrait of contemporary Chicago delivers a deep, multifaceted look into the soul of a quintessentially American city, set against the backdrop of its history-making … Continue reading “‘City So Real’ Chicago’s problems are America’s problems”
Although most of us know that Chadwick Boseman, who died Friday night at the young age of 43 due to aggressive Colon Cancer, only played Black Panther in a movie, for most of us it feels like the actual superhero Black Panther died. Chadwick was bigger than life. He was more than an actor, he … Continue reading “Imagine living in a world without a superhero”
In the aftermath of another shooting of a Black man by a white police officer—this time in Kenosha, Wis., Sunday night—the Bears cancelled their practice that was scheduled to begin at 9:20 a.m. Thursday. This afternoon, Bears players released the following statement: “In the wake of what has taken place in our backyard of Kenosha … Continue reading “Bears players vow to take action to effect change”
National Geographic announced the acquisition of CITY SO REAL, an official Indie Episodic selection at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, set to premiere on the network this fall. From twice Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Steve James (America to Me, Hoop Dreams) and his longtime producing partner Zak Piper (Life Itself, The Interrupters) the fascinating and complex … Continue reading “National Geographic acquires Kartemquinn’s City so Real”
Zakat Foundation of America, in partnership with Our Lady of Suyapa Sanctuary and Readi Chicago, a Heartland Alliance program, is taking to the streets. Armed with peace and prayer, mothers lift up their voices as people who have lost their children to police brutality, gathering August 8 at the Daley Plaza. “When George Floyd cried … Continue reading “Zakat and mothers hold Anti-Police Violence Rally”
Up and coming Chicago-based filmmaker, Chantel Chavon, makes her directorial debut by tackling the connection between racism and mental illness head on in the short film, When the Leaves Fall. Based on an original screenplay by Chavon, the psychological drama tells the story of a mentally-ill homeless woman living inside of a bus shelter, who … Continue reading “Filmmaker Chantel Chavon tackles racism, mental health”
The lesson here is – not that the current White House ever learns – don’t mess with Mayor Lori Lightfoot. After White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany referred to Lightfoot as “the derelict mayor of Chicago” during a press briefing, the mayor clapped back, tweeting “Hey, Karen. Watch your mouth.” Middle-aged White women — the … Continue reading “Lightfoot claps back at McEnany, calls her “Karen””
On June 28th, an empty Wrigley Field hosted a livestreamed TEDx event titled “Humanity, a View from Inside the Pandemic.” The three-hour-plus program included a mix of live and prerecorded material. The livestream was produced by Chicago’s very own Mimi Productions, and adhered to all social distancing and CDC guidelines. In keeping with the baseball theme, … Continue reading “Empty Wrigley Field hosts livestreamed TEDx event”
Real Men Cook – America’s annual Father’s Day charity celebration – will be held virtually on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21 from 3-6 PM CDT. Now launching its fourth decade, the celebration is presented by the nonprofit, Real Men Charities, Inc. With the recent death of George Floyd and other black men by police or self-appointed vigilantes, it is clear that African-American men are targets and are often portrayed negatively … Continue reading “Real Men Cook celebrating black men & families”
Havas staff were encouraged to take Friday to stand united against racism. CEO Yannick Bolloré said “the purpose of this day is to contemplate our roles in improving racial justice and diversity in and outside of our business, to take personal action or to do whatever you feel best serves you, your personal journey, your loved ones … Continue reading “Havas staff encouraged to stand united against racism”
We at Kartemquin Films stand in solidarity with Black communities against the unchecked brutality, state-sanctioned violence, and pernicious racist ideology alive deep in the soul of this nation. We grieve for the loss of Black lives taken — for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Sean Reed, Tony McDade, Laquan McDonald, Rekia Boyd and the … Continue reading “Kartemquin Films issues statement of solidarity”
In a moving statement issued today, IATSE pledges to advocate for specific, necessary policy and legislation, and lock arms with allies who are primarily focused on racial justice and reform. We share in the heartbreak, frustration and anger surrounding the tragic murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police. We stand in solidarity with the African-American … Continue reading “IATSE stands in solidarity with Black community”
Violent protests erupted in dozens of cities following the death of George Floyd, a black Minneapolis man who died after a white police officer pressed a knee into his neck for more than eight minutes. In Chicago groups of demonstrators broke off from an otherwise peaceful protest to rampage on a looting spree of shopping … Continue reading “Chicago recovering from a weekend of violent protests”
Friday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot had some choice words for President Donald Trump’s vile and divisive rhetoric he has been spewing on his Twitter account. The Mayor said, “I have two words, one begins with F and it ends with U.” While addressing the media about the weekend’s violent protests and looting, Lightfoot doubled down … Continue reading “Mayor Lightfoot doubles down on Trump comments”
With more than 80 people shot, a dozen killed and even more injured during protests, triggered by the murder of George Floyd, the weekend proved to be one of Chicago’s deadliest in recent memory. Now Chicago Bulls legend, Michael Jordan, has released a statement via his manager and spokeswoman Estee Portnoy. “I am deeply saddened, … Continue reading “Michael Jordan reacts to the weekend’s protests”
With 699 arrests, more than 80 people shot, a dozen killed and even more injured this was one of Chicago’s deadliest weekends in recent memory. As mayhem and chaos spread across the city, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the Chicago P.D. and eventually, the National Guard attempted to maintain peace as more than 3,000 protestors, including … Continue reading “Chicago devastated, Cusack allegedly assaulted by CPD”
During a press conference held today, Mayor Lori Lightfoot lashed out at President Donald Trump for his tweet which promoted violence against Minneapolis protestors angered over the killing of George Floyd. The Mayor, who is never one to hold back said, “I will code what I really want to say to Donald Trump. It’s two … Continue reading “Mayor Lightfoot has two words for Trump – “F U””
This holiday season, WTTW, Chicago’s PBS station, and WFMT, Chicago’s classical radio station, will present a variety of special content throughout the holiday season. From holiday classics to one-of-a-kind concerts featuring some of the world’s best musicians, WTTW and WFMT’s holiday programming offers festive content for all. New and notable WTTW holiday programming includes: A Charlie Brown … Continue reading “From holiday classics to one-of-a-kind concerts”
THE TAX EXTENSION IS ON ITS WAY! The Illinois House voted 107-7 to extend Illinois’ generous 20% tax credits. The bill was introduced to the House by speaker Michael Madigan .
From there, the bill goes to the Senate and wends its way through committes and ultimately to the Senate floor for a vote ? assuming all goes according to plan. It’s difficult to say when to pop corks — everyone’s hoping before the end of the month — so stay tuned.
As a new young company, 3to1 Studios is surging ahead with production of a whimsical short film a month for podcasting and enough commercial business to pay the rent.
The name comes from the three commercial services offered in-one venue?film, web design, and graphic design?said Josh Reichlin, partner, editor and graphics designer.
The shop opened last February in a 300-sq. ft. studio in the Fine arts building when four Columbia College grads teamed up with veteran producer Floyd Webb.
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