Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, the second largest film studio in the country, with 36 studios and more than 2 million square feet on the west and south sides of Chicago, is pleased to welcome two pilots to its campus this season. NBC has greenlight Ordinary Joe and Fox has given a pilot offer for The Big Leap.
Ordinary Joe
According to the network’s show description, Ordinary Joe, written by Russel Friend and Garrett Lerner, staring James Wolk, explores the three parallel lives of the show’s main character, Joe Kimbrough after he makes a pivotal choice at a crossroads in his life.
The series asks the question of how different life might look if you made your decision based on love, loyalty or passion. The drama is said to be a passion project for The Batman writer/director Matt Reeves, who originally wrote a pilot script based on this idea more than a decade ago.
Ordinary Joe was originally set up at NBC in November 2018, receiving a put pilot commitment. Due to the late timing of the sale, a script could not be completed for the 2019 pilot season and the project was therefore rolled to the 2019-20 cycle.
The Big Leap
On another stage at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, the Fox pilot The Big Leap, a project inspired by the UK reality series Big Ballet, will start production. The project will be a co-production between 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment.
According to the show’s description, The Big Leap, written by Liz Helens, starring Matt Lucas, Teri Polo, and Ser’Darius Blain, is explained as a funny and contemporary tale about second chances, chasing your dreams and taking back what is yours.
Matt Lucas 
Teri Polo 
Ser’Darius Blain
The show centers on a diverse group of underdogs who compete to take part in a competition reality series that is putting on a modern, hip remake of Swan Lake. The show takes viewers on a journey of self-acceptance, body-positivity and empowerment at any age.
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Pilot season
“Pilot season is an important time in the industry and we are thrilled that both NBC and Fox have chosen to film some of their most anticipated shows at Cinespace Chicago during the traditional pilot season,” said Alex Pissios, president and CEO of Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. “Our lot has been continuously full throughout the peak season and even during off-cycle or second-cycle which is great for the Chicago film industry and for economic growth in the city, especially on the south and west side of Chicago,” he added.
In addition to pilot season news, Cinespace also celebrated the announcement NBC recently made when it renewed three more seasons for Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med.
The popular Dick Wolf series have been anchor tenants at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios since their inception. For more information on the productions filming at Cinespace or studio availability, call Cinespace Chicago Film Studios at 773-521-8000.
