“Kate,” one of 78 “reporters” vying for five finalist positions, is the highest rated candidate in the competition, and the only “reporter” who actually has been reporting on presidential candidates ever since Sen. Obama announced his candidacy way back when in January.
Unlike “Kate,” creator Lundin is no novice to the political scene. She has been produced political commercials for many winning candidates for 15 years.
You can put “Kate” in the conventions by voting the Chicago way (early and often) at www.myspace.com/decision08
WHAT A NICE SURPRISE. Chicago-created commercials in competitions are almost as rare as honest Chicago politicians, so it’s gratifying that two commercials from local agencies are among five nominees for the L.A. Emmys for Outstanding Commercial.
They are Leo Burnett’s Hallmark spot, “Brother of the Bride,” directed by Joe Pytka, and DDB’s Bud Light’s “Swear Jar,” directed by David Shane through Hungry Man.
They compete against BBDO/New York’s FedEx spot, “Carrier Pigeons;” Travelers Insurance’s “Delivery,” Fallon, Minneapolis and Coca-Cola’s “It’s Mine,” Wieden + Kennedy, Portland, Ore.
The winner will be announced Sept. 13 at the 60th Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.
A NATIONAL EMMY NOMINATION went to Milwaukee-based Boettcher/Trinklein Television for its PBS series “Pioneers of Television” in the category of Outstanding Nonfiction Special category. The ongoing, 4-part series was directed by Steve Boettcher and written by Mike Trinklein.
Six years in the making, it focuses more than 100 interviews and clips with the legends that launched TV. You can catch its frequent airing on Ch. 11, especially during pledge weeks.
HOW’S THIS FOR SPEED? Nick Sanabria’s Radio City Recording records narration at 10 a.m. for SpeedTv’s new “WRECKED, Life in the Crash Lane,” then by 1 p.m. uploads edited AIFF files directly to “Wrecked’s” FTP which they immediately drag into the video for airing.
The show is about how the tough crew of O’Hare Towing cleans up major accidents (the ultimate horror show?).
Narrator is David Bryson, a client of Debbie Kozen’s Naked Voices, who won the assignment over dozens of other fine actors in a national search.
PRODN CENTRAL. Optimus is following the trend of post houses adding a production division to their list of services. Starting Sept. 1, Optimus oNe will be headed by John Noble, formerly Element 79’s production/digital director … New DeVry commercials are being shot by L.A.-based Good Films … Ed Amaya’s 59 Films, has a Coors’ shoot at Essanay, where Radar will be shooting for Samsung and McDonald’s.
LEO BURNETT EVP/CREATIVES, Josh Denberg and Paul Hirsch, left the agency after six years to return to San Francisco. They joined McCann Worldgroup in San Francisco as SVP/group CDs, working on all the agency’s Microsoft business, except Xbox.
They joined Burnett after eight years at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco.
BRIDGES MEDIA GROUP hosts an invitation-only Rock Star Party ? billed as a “Live Rock Band and Guitar Hero Rockstravaganza” — July 25 at its Kinzie St. facility. Guests are encouraged “to dress for rocking” in 1980s costumes.
MUSICAL THEATRE AFICIONADOS won’t want to miss legendary Broadway composer Charles Strouse (“Annie,” “Applause,” “Bye, Bye Birdie”) July 26 when he discusses his new book, “Put on a Happy Face: My Life in Musical Theatre,” at the Theatre Building. See details in our Screenings & Events column ? the biggest compilation of events available anywhere.
LOOKING AHEAD. Women in Film’s annual Focus Awards will be held Oct. 14 at the Chicago Hilton where one of the honorees is casting director and actress Jane p> PRODUCER CAREY LUNDIN’S CREATION, “Citizen Kate,” actually actress Kate Soglin, will tell tales of being on the campaign trail, via a web series, on Ch. 11’s “Chicago Tonight,” Tuesday at 7:20 p.m.
“Kate” has a good shot of winning (with MySpace voters’ help) an NBC and MySpace contest to send a citizen reporter, like her, to cover the Democratic and Republican conventions.
“Kate,” one of 78 “reporters” vying for five finalist positions, is the highest rated candidate in the competition, and the only “reporter” who actually has been reporting on presidential candidates ever since Sen. Obama announced his candidacy way back when in January. Alderman. Other honorees to be announced. Fox News anchor Robin Robinson will MC the event.
A MOVIE CALLED “LITTLE CHICAGO” will be filmed in little towns in Western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania, based on true events that took place there during Prohibition.
