Barbara Roche, Author at Reel Chicago News

17 Non-broadcasting entries vie for 2011 Emmy Awards

By Ruth L Ratny Oct 4, 2011

Come November’s 2011 Emmy Awards ceremonies, a very large number of broadcasting persons and entities among scores of contenders, will take home a coveted Emmy statuette as wi...

Curtain Calls

Second City’s 300 seat UP Comedy Club bows Nov. 17

By Kerry Reid Oct 4, 2011

Ever since Tony and Tina finally blew town on that long-delayed honeymoon, there’s been a vacancy at Piper’s Alley. But Second City is saying “ciao” to the interactive w...

Beast’s Valencia edits music doc screening at CIFF

By Ruth L Ratny Sep 30, 2011

BEAST EDITORIAL has been rockin’ lately with more than its usual major advertising spot work. To wit: It edited a major doc that will showcase at the Chicago International Fil...

Curtain Calls

TWS names Steppenwolf’s Snyder new artistic director

By Kerry Reid Sep 30, 2011

CHICAGO THEATER often prides itself on is the way that established artists work with smaller companies. The announcement that David Cromer will be returning to town to direct Jo...

Lewis Lazare

Props to Schafer Condon for take on mortgage help PSA

By Lewis Lazare Sep 29, 2011

The most effective TV commercials typically start with a strong, pertinent visual hook. Ideally, that visual is supported by strong copywriting and all the other little de...

Lewis Lazare

Independent River North Group’s 4 units are thriving

By Lewis Lazare Sep 29, 2011

For years the advertising industry has struggled in the grip of infamous holding companies such as IPG, WPP and Publicis. Without question, these global conglomerates have...

Camera stars lead special Cinespace workshop Oct. 8

By Ruth Ratny Sep 28, 2011

A big treat is ahead for area film students –- or any interested camera person, for that matter -- with the special workshop headed by A-lister cinematographer Anastas Michos ...

“Boss” Season 2 renewal means hundreds of local jobs

By Ruth Ratny Sep 28, 2011

They say “three’s the charm,” and perhaps that will be true for the Kelsey Grammer starrer, “Boss,” after the disappointment of “Chicago Code’s” cancellati...

With FilmCraft’s closing, Astro is Midwest’s sole lab

By Ruth Ratny Sep 28, 2011

After 90 years of motion picture film processing in Detroit, Grace & Wild Studios has ceded to the increasing dominance of the digital world and closed its FilmCraft divisio...

Lewis Lazare

Gibson’s Gertrude expands space, clients

By Lewis Lazare Sep 27, 2011

Gertrude has made a move. Yes, the six-year-old ad agency founded and run by the ever-upbeat, ever-expansion-oriented Otis Gibson threw open the doors of its colorful, eclectica...

CIFF opens Oct. 6 with Dennis Farina’s indie

By Ruth Ratny Sep 26, 2011

The 47th Chicago International Film Festival, Oct. 6-20, pays homage to its home city by opening with the “The Last Rites of Joe May,” a quintessential Chicago-set drama, sh...

First Greek Film Fest Chicago runs Sept. 29-Oct. 2

By Ruth L Ratny Sep 22, 2011

Who’s who in Chicago’s Greek community are expected to turn out for the first Greek Film Fest Chicago! (GFFC), when it opens Thursday, Sept. 29, providing what GFFC chairman...

Changing spaces and places in the lively theatre scene

By Kerry Reid Sep 22, 2011

Welcome to my first column for ReelChicago. I’m happy to have this space for reporting on comings, goings, and general doings in Chicago’s theater community. AND SPEAKI...

‘The Playboy Club’ ratings lost in the competition

By Ruth L Ratny Sep 22, 2011

CRITICAL REVIEWS of the debut episode of the Chicago-set NBC series The Playboy Club were, to say the least, disappointing. It attracted a painfully low 1.6/4 rating in the 18-4...

Lewis Lazare

DraftFCB’s Dow teaser ad labeled ‘mathematical poem’

By Lewis Lazare Sep 22, 2011

Tease. Tease. Tease. It’s a familiar tactic in the advertising industry to whet the public’s appetite for what’s to come. And DraftFCB/Chicago is doing just th...

PR pro Lauren Dewhirst joins The Michael Group

By Erik Martin Sep 22, 2011

Michael Weber’s fast-growing entertainment and corporate production company added public relations specialist Lauren Dewhirst, from major PR firm Edelman, as SVP/director of c...

Shanley heads new transmedia resource Picnic

By Ruth L Ratny Sep 21, 2011

Detroit’s RingSide Creative (RSCP), owned by Cutters’ Tim McGuire and industry executive Steve Wild, launched Picnic.“Picnic will be able to utilize all of our collective ...

Lewis Lazare

Tilford, Fassnacht face Draftfcb post SCJ challenges

By Lewis Lazare Sep 20, 2011

Have you heard about Todd Tilford’s little red book? Well, truth be told, it’s not so little. But it is red.According to Tilford, DraftFCB/Chicago’s new chief creati...

REEL THINGS

The Reel to introduce theatre coverage by Kerry Reid

By Ruth L Ratny Sep 20, 2011

IN OUR EFFORTS to expand coverage of more and different aspects of our vibrant and multi-faceted industry, the Reel will bring you news about Chicago theatre, with stories by th...

Talent icon Shirley Hamilton memorial set for Sept. 26

By Ruth L Ratny Sep 20, 2011

A memorial service will be held for Shirley Hamilton, the dedicated, dynamic talent agent whose life was spent in the talent business in Chicago, on Monday, Sept. 26 at the Winn...