Lakeshore Productions’ internationally-flavored feature “Wicker Park” has opened in theatres to lukewarm reviews. The movie is an adaptation of a French screenplay originally set in Paris, but relocated to Chicago. It was written by a Hollywood screenwriter, shot in Montreal with an American-Australian-German cast and directed by a Scot. The movie shot in the real Wicker Park for five days last spring.
Don’t throw away your junk just yet. Director Bob Ebel’s latest fund-raiser idea to help cancer- stricken DP Brian Clare and his family is a giant garage sale on the Ebel stage, or on a bigger one if necessary. And Ebel’s Lisa Masseur reports Clare is responding well to new experimental medicine, and says THANKS on behalf of Ebel Productions to everyone who contributed so generously to the Brian Clare Fund.
New hires: Del Hall Video added Smoke editor Tim Kimberling from the TV Guide Channel, and hired intern Natalya Ryabova as an assistant editor? Red Car hired Avenue editor Kim Salter.
Linda Wolf, Leo Burnett Worldwide CEO, receives the richly deserved Lifetime Achievement award from Women’s Image Network, to be presented Nov. 7 in L.A. at the WIN Awards Show. WIN Awards, furthering the Network’s mission of spotlighting women’s achievement in broadcasting, is the only show of its kind. It’s been in existence for 11 years and is based in L.A. Deadline for entries is Sept. 15. See www.thewinawards.com or contact info@thewinawards.com.
Comedian Tom Dreesen interviewed three theatrical directors via Shirley Hamilton in quest of a local director to work with him on his one man-man show about growing up on the South Side ? Harvey, actually. Dreesen is workshopping the show in L.A., but plans to open it in Chicago sometime next year.
Michigan Ave. moves: Campbell-Mithun lost the $10 million National Pork Board account to the Richards Group/Dallas? Western Union departed JWT ? Burnett won new McDonald’s toasted sandwich Oven Selects from Mickey D rival DDB ? And $15 million worth of Heinz frozen foods business went to Cramer- Krasselt from DDB/San Francisco.
New York/L.A. TVI Actors Studio will hold a mid- September grand opening of its new Chicago studio at 116 W. Illinois. Heading the studio here is actor Dennis Murphy. Call 312/828-0053 or see www.tvistudios.com.
Rainbow Productions’ Dirk Wales has added children’s book author to his repertoire of creative skills. (Besides producing medical films, he is an accomplished photographer.) His book, “Owney, a Lucky Dog,” is going into a second printing. Owney, in case you forgot, was the U.S. Postal Service’s mascot in the 1800s and the lucky pooch got to ride the mail trains throughout the country. Diane Goodrich Kenna illustrated the book.
If you’re looking for fast-paced, taut mystery, pick up screenwriter Brian Pinkerton’s first published book, “Abducted,” available in paperback from Leisure Books. Pinkerton and John Zoppi’s mystery screenplay put them among Project Greenlight’s top 100 screenwriters in the 2004 competition.
The CAF’s Chicago Creative Club Awards for best creativity in advertising and design take place Sept. 29 at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Tickets are $125 for CAF members, $150 non-members. See www.chicagocreativeclub.com for details.
Kurtis Productions’ “Cold Case Files” series was nominated for a national Emmy award.
The 4As and ANA reprise their “Advertising that Works” Oct. 27-29 at Navy Pier, featuring an array of seminars, speakers and the 2004 Cannes winners.
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