CHICAGO IS REPRESENTED in the 2012 Golden Globes awards, with two nominations for Starz network’s Chicago-set and produced “Boss.” The just-concluded (and what an ending that was) eight-episode series got the nod for “Best TV Series,” and star Kelsey Grammer, who plays the cynical, ruthless over-the-top mayor Tom Kane, nominated for “Best Performance, Actor, in a TV Series.”
“The gain by association,” says Chicago Film Office’s Rich Moskel, who was delighted by “Boss” Globes recognition. “Any show that earns awards recognition and is seen by viewers increases the credibility of the host city.
“We gain additional points by being the city where highly acclaimed shows take place. The most success that ‘Boss’ gains can only help us in the long run by keeping the show on the air.”
The March-April TV pilot season always looks to Chicago as a location, so perhaps acclaim for “Boss” will trigger even more pilot activity than in past years.
BTW: The production office for “Boss” opens Feb. 6 at Cinespace.
RON BESS, EURO RSCG’S TOP GUN is the Chicago Ad Federation’s distinguished 2011 Silver Medal Award winner and will be honored for his contributions and accomplishments Jan. 20 at a luncheon at the Drake Hotel.
“Ron has strong passion, commitment and vision for the Chicago ad community,” says Silver Medal co-chair Anne Rago, Managing Director Business Development, Novus. “He is a key supporter of the Off the Street Club and he has helped create a stronger link between the CAF and 4As more fully unite the Chicago ad community.”
AN ESTELA AWARD NOMINATION by NALIP, the National Association of Latino Independent Producers, was given to filmmaker Esau Melendez for his acclaimed doc, “Immigrant Nation.” And last week he was presented with the “Migrante Solidario” Award in Mexico, where he spoke to the Mexican Congress about how Mexico is showing solidarity with immigrants who are looking for better opportunities.
VIDEO/BROADCAST PRODUCTION COMPANY SPI-tv, owned by producer/director Jim Demas and producer/DP Rogelio Gazga, has restructured to make official the full range of “added value creative services” it has always provided in addition to production.
Its new name is SPI Creative, “to include services we provide, such as print collateral, logo design, 3D and retail-ready package design,” notes Gazga. SPI creative’s new web site goes live Dec. 21.
EDWARD T. McDOUGAL’S FEATURE “DOG JACK,” which he adapted from a book by the same name, produced and directed, will screen at the Highland Park theatre Dec. 18 and at theatres Downstate thereafter.
Narrated by Oscar winner Lou Gossett, Jr., and starring Frank Kasy, the story is about a runaway teenaged slave and his dog, who join the Union Army and ultimately face their former master on the battlefield. It was inspired by the true life adventures of the beloved mascot of the Pennsylvania 102nd, who was so prized he was twice exchanged for a prisoner of war. The film was shot in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
Distributed by Screen Media Films, “Dog Jack” will be released on DVD during February’s Black History Month.
REEL MICHIGAN: The Michigan Senate passed SB569 in a vote of 34-4 that converts the state film incentive program into a straight forward subsidy program, with awards up to 32% of the expenses incurred by a film producer in Michigan, plus some additional subsidies.
The cap, however, stays at $25 million a year, to be allotted through the Michigan Film Office. All transactions will be made public on the MFO’s website.
Happy Holidays from your friends at ReelChicago!
