“THE DARK KNIGHT,” Warner Bros.’ latest “Batman” installment could be “the largest single production ever shot in Chicago,” says the CFO’s Rich Moskal.
It could add at least $30 million to the local economy.
We don’t know if that’s “Batman’s” budget here, however, or if it represents the Chicago budget’s 2.5 multiplier or “trickle down” effect on the economy. But who cares. That’s a lot of moolah and represents a lot of work.
Christopher Nolan again directs, and Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Gary Oldman return in the cast. They’re joined by Maggie Gyllenhaal and, in a surprise twist, Heath Ledger as the Joker.
Crews shot preliminary scenes last week and will return from London in June to film here throughout the summer.
Nolan plans to film on LaSalle St. and Lower Wacker to create a moody ambience. The filmmakers “want that Gotham City look,” says Moskal.
WIN SOME, LOSE SOME. “The Playroom” was set to film here for a month starting in May. But the producers pulled out and returned to L.A. when it wasn’t feasible for their L.A.-based child star to travel to Chicago.
LOCAL 476’S MEMBERSHIP has grown to more than 700 members as a result of its commitment to diversity program. Out of 67 new members, 13 are women, 11 African Americans, six Hispanic and one Asian.
SCREENWRITERS WHO WRESTLE WITH STRUCTURE will want to hear top L.A. screenwriting guru Jeff Kitchen. He’ll discuss his unique “Sequence, Proposition, Plot” at the long-running Chicago Screenwriters Network May 6 at the Lincoln Restaurant.
DRAFTFCB DID VERY WELL LAST WEEK winning Kmart’s $224.6 million creative advertising account from Grey Advertising, New York, just a day after Kraft moved its $40 million Lunchables account over from JWT.
MARK YOUR DATEBOOKS for the June 2 Gene Siskel Film Center annual gala honoring Oscar nominees William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman.
Icing on the cake: John Mahoney will lead the discussion with the husband-and-wife team at the Four Seasons hotel.
Did you know that Macy’s acting career was launched in Chicago theatre in the ’80s? That’s where he first met and worked with playwright David Mamet in whose movies he’s often starred. See Screenings for details. Which is a good lead-in to remind you to send your event info to ReelChicago.com.
HD EXPO, June 6-7, has expanded to Navy Pier for its third year in Chicago with a packed house of exhibitors and techniques fresh from NAB and educational programs led by top creative talent and technology experts.
Chicago transplant and HD expert Evie Silvers, is an account exec with the rapidly expanding, L.A.-based HD Expo organization, headed by Kristin Petrovich.
JIM DELOYE’S CANDY STORE added Jamie Stevens as a sales rep. Stevens is back in Chicago after a decade in L.A. Six of those years were spent as production management for Anonymous Content.
He has experience in spots, web, branded content, music videos, episodic TV and features.
A FIRST FOR IFP/CHICAGO — a fund-raising gala scheduled for Friday, Sept. 28. It’s being developed by Colleen O’Neil, who was formerly with IFP/Los Angeles.
