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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
Last night, the 73rd Emmy Awards were held with Cedric the Entertainer hosting on CBS. While most of the big Emmy news for Chicago will be pointed (deservedly so) toward Ted Lasso’s Jason Sudeikis’, who studied here at the IO Theater, Second City and Anonymous, and co-creator, co-star and Chicagoan Brendan Hunt’s wins, another Chicago-based … Continue reading “Lovecraft Country represents Chicago with two Emmy wins”
It’s the end of the road for the characters of HBO’s Lovecraft Country. The horror drama series will not be receiving a second season order, HBO told Deadline. “We will not be moving forward with a second season of Lovecraft Country,” HBO said in their statement. “We are grateful for the dedication and artistry of … Continue reading “It’s the end of the road for HBO’s Lovecraft Country”
To celebrate the highly anticipated new series LOVECRAFT COUNTRY, HBO has announced Lovecraft Country: Sanctum, a series of exclusive virtual reality events transporting invited guests into a world inspired by the show. Join LOVECRAFT COUNTRY’s Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors, Courtney B. Vance and Michael Kenneth Williams For A Groundbreaking Virtual Experience. The series airs Sundays at 9:00 … Continue reading “HBO launches LOVECRAFT COUNTRY: SANCTUM, VR”
The wait is over. Lovecraft Country, which was filmed at Cinespace Studios, premiered Sunday night on HBO to 760,000 viewers, the best since Watchmen. Based on the novel of the same name by Matt Ruff, the ten-episode series follows Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors) as he journeys with his childhood friend Letitia (Jurnee Smollett) and his uncle … Continue reading “What reviews say about ‘Lovecraft Country’”
HBO’s Lovecraft Country, which was filmed at Cinespace Studios, debuts on August 16. Based on the novel of the same name by Matt Ruff, the ten-episode series follows Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors) as he journeys with his childhood friend Letitia (Jurnee Smollett) and his uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) on a road trip from Chicago across … Continue reading “Meet ‘Lovecraft Country’s’ showrunner Misha Green”
From showrunner and executive producer Misha Green, HBO’s new drama series LOVECRAFT COUNTRY debuts SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. Based on thenovel of the same name by Matt Ruff, the ten-episode series follows Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors) as he journeys with his childhood … Continue reading “LOVECRAFT COUNTRY: Upcoming Episodes”
This year’s web-based San Diego Comic-Con featured a panel for HBO’s new series Lovecraft Country, from industry giants JJ Abrams and Jordan Peele, among others. H. P. Lovecraft, whose work inspired the surreal horror aspects of the show, was a prolific writer of unsettling pulp fiction in the early 1900’s. The show, based on Matt … Continue reading “‘Lovecraft Country’ cast talks family atmosphere”
Filmed at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, HBO’s new drama series from J.J. Abrams, Jordan Peele and showrunner/executive producer Misha Green, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY debuts Sunday, August 16 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. Based on the novel of the same name by Matt Ruff, the ten-episode series follows … Continue reading “HBO debuts ‘Lovecraft Country’ filmed at Cinespace”
HBO’s new drama series, Lovecraft Country, which had a large portion filmed at Cinespace Studios debuts this August. The series, based on the 2016 novel by Matt Ruff of the same name, follows Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors) as he joins up with his friend Letitia (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) and his Uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) to embark … Continue reading “Watch trailer for Peele and Abrams’ ‘Lovecraft Country’”
Behind the Scenes: Lovecraft Country calls on the visionaries of Framestore to bring to life all the creatures and mythos that would need to be realized. When the team adapting Matt Ruff’s Lovecraft Country for television started to take stock of all the creatures and mythos from the works of Lovecraft that would need to … Continue reading “Lovecraft gets the unimaginable from Framestore”
Grammy Award winner and Emmy nominee Phillipa Soo has joined the cast of Apple TV Plus’ Shining Girls, a metaphysical thriller based on the 2013 novel by Lauren Beukes. Soo will be starring as the intelligent and sure-footed Jin-Sook, who does research at the Adler planetarium, Soo joins previously announced cast members Elisabeth Moss, Wagner … Continue reading “Phillipa Soo joins Elisabeth Moss in cast of The Shining Girls”
Cameras are set to roll next month on the new Apple series The Shining Girls starring Emmy Award winner Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men, The Invisble Man), for its streaming service. Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way is set to produce. Described by Los Angeles-based MRC Entertainment as “a metaphysical thriller,” and not to be confused with the … Continue reading “Handmaid Tale’s Moss to shoot new series in Chicago”
The Michael B Jordan AMC drama series 61st Street has begun shooting at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. 61st Street, which has been ordered as a two-season television event series with eight episodes per season, is a propulsive courtroom drama that follows Moses Johnson, a promising, black high school athlete, who is swept up into the infamously corrupt Chicago criminal justice system. … Continue reading “Michael B. Jordan’s ’61st Street’ filming at Cinespace”
The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the recipients of AFI AWARDS 2020. AFI’s global Movie Club program will showcase the official selections beginning in February, with new and exclusive content released daily, including special guests from the honored works introducing the titles and AFI’s “Behind the Scene” conversations with filmmakers and actors. AFI MOVIES … Continue reading “‘Ma Rainey’ ‘Chicago 7’ top AFI’s Top 10 List”
With Tenet’s muted box office and Warner Bros‘ decision to move Wonder Woman 1984 to December 25, other studios are beginning to take note. Universal has decided to push the Jordan Peele-produced, Nia DaCosta-helmed reboot of Candyman to an undisclosed date in 2021. Many fans were hoping the Chicago-produced film would find its way to … Continue reading “‘Candyman’ pushed to 2021, Nia DaCosta explains why”
Cinespace Chicago Film Studios‘ president, Alex Pissios has confirmed that the Michael B. Jordan AMC drama series 61st Street is on campus and they will begin shooting in 2021. 61st Street, which has been ordered as a two-season television event series with eight episodes per season, is a propulsive courtroom drama that follows Moses Johnson, a … Continue reading “Michael B. Jordan’s 61st Street is on campus at Cinespace”
Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated actor Gary Sinise will receive the esteemed Humanitarian Award from the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) at the 7th Annual LMGI Awards. Celebrating the theme “2020 Vision: We See It First,” the 2020 Awards will honor the exemplary commitment that Sinise and his foundation have made to give back to those who sacrifice for our nation and create a … Continue reading “Gary Sinise to receive LMGI Humanitarian Award”
When the Wachowskis’ The Matrix premiered in 1999, it gave film audiences some of the most ground-breaking, jaw-dropping action sequences of the time. Who can forget in the opening minutes, Trinity (played by Carrie-Anne Moss) springing into the air, freezing and the camera spinning around her? Even if the subsequent sequels were not as beloved, … Continue reading “‘John Wick’ directors help out with ‘Matrix 4’ stunts”
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. Christina has produced a wide variety of studio and … Continue reading “REEL WOMEN: Christina Varotsis, producer, UPM”
AMC announced today from the Television Critics’ Association (TCA) Press Tour that Emmy Award-winner Courtney B. Vance (The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Lovecraft Country, Genius) will star in its upcoming thrilling courtroom drama 61st Street, from BAFTA-winner Peter Moffat (Criminal Justice, The Night Of, Your Honor) and executive-produced by Michael B. … Continue reading “‘61st Street’ to begin shooting at Cinespace this April”
The man who arranged gunfights on the el, demolition in the loop, and “Transformer” battles on Wacker Drive explains how the CFO got it done Rich Moskal helped to present the Windy City as a place of beauty, romance, destruction, and chaos in more than 5,000 films, TV shows, web series, and commercials while serving … Continue reading “Film Office Director Rich Moskal: a tough act to follow”
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”
“The goal is to help (attendees) believe in themselves and give them the tools to get there.” Alicia Samaan Alicia Samaan of 4 Star Casting and Oxygen’s Bad Girls Club is hosting a panel titled How to Break into the TV and Radio Industry. The event takes place on Sunday, July 1st at the … Continue reading “Insiders reveal how to break into TV and radio”
Four new shows filming this summer and fall increase Windy City TV production to a record ten series Mayor Emanuel and the Chicago Film Office at the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced ten shows will film this summer and fall in Chicago. This includes filming for four new shows, … Continue reading “Chicago records unprecedented TV production in 2018”
Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams are bringing their new HBO series to Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. Titled Lovecraft Country, the series is based on Matt Ruff’s 2016 novel of the same name. According to IMDb, the story is about “a young African-American (who) travels across the U.S. in the 1950s in search of his missing … Continue reading “Peele and Abrams bring new HBO series to Cinespace”
Chicago filmmakers have longed dreamt about turning Chicago into a Midwest Hollywood. Now, Cinespace Studios‘ president, Alex Pissios, has taken the steps to make that dream a reality. What has been in the works for two years came to fruition this past Wednesday when City Council passed an ordinance allowing the 1.45 million sq. ft. … Continue reading “Chicago’s Cinespace Studios to add outdoor backlots”
We’ve all seen great composition, lighting and a story from a variety of directors, but there’s one in Chicago who stands out. Jeremy Pinckert, founding member of Explore Production Company, is an award-winning director of commercials and branded content. Time and time again, Jeremy has proven that he has the eye-catching vision for monumental shots … Continue reading “Emmy Award winning director Jeremy Pinckert”
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