| 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
Back in 2013, Chicago fave actor, Michael Shannon, played General Zod in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. While the Chicago-shot film was divisive, it still grossed in the neighborhood of $600 million. And no one has ever criticized Shannon’s portrayal of the Kryptonian general. Shannon, always the professional, has never had a bad word to … Continue reading “Michael Shannon responds to Snyder’s ‘Justice League’”
It hardly seems possible to imagine social justice advocacy without music and art. Creating at the intersection of artistic practice and social justice is an essential impulse for many artists. Whether overt or embedded in the very impulse to create (or both), the role of artists/creatives in advancing justice is fundamental to the history of social … Continue reading “Jazz Kitchen: When Justice is the Message, November 18”
The Chicago Film Office and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events will host the Social Justice Screenwriting Pitch Competition, to be held online at Facebook Live facebook.com/ChicagoFilmOffice Saturday, November 7, at 3pm CST The Law offices of Hal “Corky” Kessler and the Chicago Film Office present the Chicago Social Justice Screenwriting Competition. This competition aims … Continue reading “Social Justice Screenwriting Virtual Pitch Competition”
As social media has grown in relevance, so has the cacophony of voices supporting or disapproving their favorite films and TV series. A scroll through various YouTube videos of Star Wars: The Last Jedi shows how extreme the love and hate for the film has become. In that spirit, Justice League fans have mounted online … Continue reading “YouTuber demands ‘Justice’ for Zack Snyder fans”
Marvel has The Avengers. DC has The Justice League. And now internationally recognized photographer and former art director Rob Gregory has turned a group of child cancer patients into what we already knew they were.
Heroes.
Gregory has created a series of portraits, featuring children from the Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, dressed as superheroes and has dubbed them, Tiny Titans.
Chicago’s southwest suburb of Blue Island had an exciting day of filmmaking when the TV series Lightyears starring Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons (Spider-man, Spider-man: Far From Home, Zack Snyder’s Justice League) filmed on location at a home near 127th and Western, and at the Blue Island Police Station. Reel photographer, Sandra Plaza-Javier, captured the … Continue reading “Exclusive set photos of Lightyears filming on location in Blue Island”
Acclaimed actor Harry Lennix (The Matrix, Man of Steel) may have been born in Chicago, but soon the 56-year-old star, star of television’s hit series Blacklist will be from Mars – as Martian Manhunter in HBO Max’s upcoming Zack Snyder’s Justice League. The veteran stage and screen actor confirmed that his appearance will reveal that … Continue reading “Harry Lennix confirms he’s Martian Manhunter”
NBC has named Chicago comedian, actor, writer and producer Lil Rel Howery as host of the new game show, Small Fortune. Howery, who will also serve as executive producer, joins the pint-sized series that will offer contestants the opportunity to amass large sums of money on the smallest of scales. “I’m really excited to host this … Continue reading “Lil Rel brings big laughs to NBC’s ‘Small Fortune’”
Last week, Warner Bros made big headlines by announcing the release of Zack Snyder’s version of Justice League. In 2016, Snyder stepped away from the production and was replaced by Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron director Joss Whedon, who supervised several rewrites and reshoots to the film that saw many elements cut out. One … Continue reading “Chicago’s Harry Lennix hints at Martian Manhunter role”
Um…. well… This is Bat Sh*t crazy! Deadline is reporting that Ruby Rose, the star of the CW’s drama series Batwoman, is leaving the Warner Bros. TV/Berlanti Prods. drama after one season. The series, which shoots exteriors in Chicago, has been renewed for a second season, will continue with the title role getting recast. “I have made the … Continue reading “UPDATED: Ruby Rose leaves ‘Batwoman’”
Then I discovered my first “Spider-man” comic. Here was someone I could relate to. Stan Lee will always be remembered for creating iconic Marvel superheroes Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, The X-Men and of course my beloved Avengers. He died today and I think a little bit of myself passed away with him. Here’s why. I … Continue reading “My real life superhero Stan Lee passes at 95”
“The World is Yours” — the 12th annual Global Mixx Music & Film Forum Presented by ComEd — announces music, film and keynote speaker lineup (Chicago — 17 July 2018) Global Mixx Media Group announces that Emmy award-winning television and film producer Rushion McDonald and Grammy-nominated producer and international DJ The Twilite Tone will be … Continue reading “Global Mixx Forum announces 2018 lineup”
CAA’s Geoff Edwards to helm R/GA Ad Age reports that Geoff Edwards, co-creator of peace coalition Saturday Morning and former CAA Marketing co-head of creative, has joined R/GA as VP Executive Creative Director of LA. Edwards, who spent a good deal of time in Chicago at DDB, FCB and Element79, is said to have a … Continue reading “Geoff Edwards tops busy week of moves in LA”
Former DDB CCO Bob Scarpelli once told me, “All good ideas eventually find a home.” That is certainly the case with the exciting two-year-old horror film, Before I Wake, which premiered on Netflix last Friday after playing overseas. Directed by Mike Flanagan (Gerald’s Game, Hush) the film stars Kate Bosworth and Thomas Jane as foster … Continue reading “Yessian CD Andy Grush co-scores film with Danny Elfman”
Escape Pod launches freelance recruitment app Go Shortlist Today, Escape Pod announced the creation of a free online platform connecting the industry’s top creative freelancers with top ad agencies. Created by Escape Pod’s interactive arm, Ora Interactive, “Go Shortlist” uses a proprietary algorithm combined with a personalized talent assessment to rank the top creative freelancers, … Continue reading “Escape Pod, Ogilvy, Box Office, Foo Fighters in the news”
Burnett celebrates the top-performing agencies in global network Last week in Chicago, Leo Burnett Worldwide hosted the 20th annual Leo Burnett “Agency of the Year.” This global celebration recognized the best agencies in the global network by reviewing what Burnett has based their credos on — creative prowess and business results. Leo Burnett Beirut took … Continue reading “Latest from Leo B, McDonald’s, and the box office”
Production company Strange Loop has teamed-up with Uber to produce a short documentary campaign promoting Uber’s recent partnership with the Youth Guidance organization in Chicago. The organization provides mentorship to hundreds of students at pivotal points in their lives through their BAM (Becoming a Man) and WOW (Working on Womanhood) programs. Helmed by director David … Continue reading “Strange Loop, Uber, Digital Kitchen, SNL in the news”
DigitasLBI, AOR for Maytag, has produced a humorous new thirty second spot called Delivery that supports Maytag’s tagline, “What’s Inside Matters.” Directed by Martin Granger from Moxie Pictures, the spot follows the Maytag Man as he (and clones) stands in for a variety of appliances as they leave the factory and are delivered to various … Continue reading “Digitas, Indianapolis Art, Box Office, SNL in the news”
The thing currently shaking Los Angeles right now is not the 3.6 quake we felt this morning. For me it was the opening of the AFI Fest presented by Audi. It is truly the premier indie festival to see films from all over the world, some which will make their way to the Oscars. … Continue reading “AFI Fest opens with premiere of ‘Mudbound’”
Barkers bark and pitch men pitch, but sometimes it’s the monster who sells.
For more than a century, ghosts, giants and beasts representing brands have met or exceeded their sales quotas on everything from tires to sausages.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Gene Siskel Film Center announces the full festival schedule for its 27th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival, which will take place both virtually and in person at the Gene Siskel Film Center from November 5 through December 2. The festival’s month-long showcase of Black stories will feature … Continue reading “Full festival schedule for the 27th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival”
The past year has been a chaotic one for movies as the Covid-19 pandemic has forced countless films to either move to VOD, release in a hybrid manner in theaters and VOD, or delay their release dates. Jordan Peele’s horror sequel Candyman was delayed several times until its eventual release on August 27, 2021 exclusively … Continue reading “Jordan Peele’s Candyman shakes up the critics on opening day”
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”
On the same day the U.S. Department of Justice filed charges in federal court against the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol building last Wednesday, Bradley Rukstales, a Schaumberg tech firm President and CEO, was fired for his role in the act of domestic terrorism. Rukstales, 52, the head of data analytics marketing firm Cogensia … Continue reading “Schaumberg CEO fired after storming U.S. Capitol”
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”
Black Women’s Expo (BWe) is partnering with Illinois Census 2020 and Counting on Chicago Coalition to present #WEMATTER On the Frontline: A Black Women’sAgenda! Virtual Webinar Saturday, July 11, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (CST). Thisday-long virtual event will consist of five (5) webinars headlined by a panel of powerful Blackwomen and men, … Continue reading “Black Women’s Expo presents #WEMATTER”
Oprah Winfrey and Lionsgate Join Forces With Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times to Adapt the Acclaimed 1619 Project Into a Portfolio of Films, Television Programming & Other Content Across All Studio Platforms Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times have chosen global content leader Lionsgate to be the home for … Continue reading “Oprah Winfrey, Lionsgate, NY Times adapt 1619 Project”
McDonald’s USA today announced its role in helping to establish BIN: Black Information Network, the first 24/7 national and local news radio service dedicated to reporting news from the Black voice. As the exclusive quick-service restaurant partner, McDonald’s and its franchisees’ support will help iHeartMedia, through BIN: Black Information Network, further its mission to provide … Continue reading “McDonald’s partners with iHeartMedia’s ‘BIN’”
Open Television author and creator is helping to bring marginalized creators and content into the spotlight of American culture Over the last four years, Dr. Aymar Jean Christian has inspired a community of artists and intellectuals to disrupt one of the greatest institutions in America. With analytical expertise, online manipulation, shrewd outreach, and boundless … Continue reading “Interview with OTV founder Dr. Aymar Jean Christian”
Fourth annual fest of the best opens with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez doc, “Knock Down The House” The 4th annual Doc10 Film Festival’s 2019 lineup is an entertaining variety of undeniable relevance taking place April 11-14 at The Davis Theater (4614 N. Lincoln Ave.) The program opens with Rachel Lears’ critically acclaimed Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez documentary, Knock Down … Continue reading “Doc10 screens the year’s best at the Davis Theater”
From hip-hop snow angels to Lego parades, an adult-sized portion of casually-vetted Chicago content to help readers get the most out of the holiday Falling onto a couch in front of a TV is the final and most relaxing course of every good Thanksgiving meal. It pairs well with prime time football, Charlie Brown, The … Continue reading “Thanksgiving break: holiday viewing suggestions”
Chicago-based documentary house unveils grantees to receive funds for emerging and diverse documentary filmmakers in 2019 (Chicago — 1 November 2018) Kartemquin Films announced today the recipients of $150,000 in grants at the 2018 Kartemquin Films Empowering Truth Benefit Luncheon at the Union League Club of Chicago. The award-winning documentary not-for-profit organization also announced … Continue reading “Kartemquin announces recipients of $150K in grants”
Don’t ask if your dreams are crazy, ask if they’re crazy enough Nike has released its first commercial with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick as its new “Just Do It” spokesman. This 2-minute spot, titled Dream Crazy from longtime ad agency Wieden and Kennedy is filled with inspirational scenes of young … Continue reading “Colin Kaepernick in first ‘Just Do It’ commercial for Nike”
Top level corporate executive Morgan Flatley, Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Global Nutrition Group and SVP/ Global Grains, was named the 2016 Chicago Advertising Woman of the Year by the Chicago Advertising Federation.
The honor went to an advertising woman “who has provided outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to her company, the advertising community and the development of others,” says Jill Sylvester, CAF board president.
Cameras rolled in June, 2013 at the World’s Biggest Block Party at Old St. Pat’s church in the West Loop, as doc makers Jamie Fleischel and Matt Leonard of Picture Show and their crew began shooting the first-ever documentary about the 158-year Catholic church.
Actor Dennis Farina, a Chicago native and former policeman, best known for tough-as-nails cop or gangster roles in movies and TV shows for 33 years, died today after suffering a blood clot in his lung in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 69.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a great actor and a wonderful man,” said his publicist, Lori De Waal, in a statement Monday. “Dennis Farina was always warm-hearted and professional, with a great sense of humor and passion for his profession. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.”
FEATURE/TV DIRECTOR ROGER KUMBLE, in town to direct an episode of the MTV series “Underemployed,” is the featured speaker June 5 at Midwest Independent Film Festival’s Producer’s Panel at 6 p.m., preceeding the 7:30 screening of Jack Newell’s first feature, “Close Quarters”
JIM LASKO, REDMOON THEATRE’S co-artistic director, has received a prestigious 2013 Loeb Fellowship from Harvard University. The Loeb program brings together ten mid-career individuals in architecture, art, urban design, and other related fields for a one-year residency at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. There they they will focus on issues of sustainability, accessibility, and creativity in urban centers.
To receive our reader Elerts, delivering the latest, exclusive news of Chicago’s visual media industry, click here.
