Method president kills rumors of closing shop here

Method Studios’ president Christian Kubsch

RUMORS FLYING all over about the alleged closing here of visual effects Method Studios,  a division of LA-based Deluxe Entertainment Group, are categorically denied by Method Studios’ Santa Monica-based president, Christian Kubsch.

Rumors of Method’s staff dismissals began circulating about three weeks ago, with several Emails to that effect landing in the Reel’s In Box.  Method Studios has been situated with sister DeLuxe divisions Beast editorial and Company 3 post in the Tribune Tower for the past two years.

Said Kubsch in an Emai: “We have no plans to close our Chicago offices. Method Studios is strengthening its offering in Chicago and we will be making announcements along those lines shortly. Our global network of studios is growing rapidly and we look forward to making an even greater amount of top notch talent available to our clients in Chicago and the region.”

There ya go.  End of story.

ACTOR DELOY LINDO, who co-starred in “Chicago Code” (as slick Alderman Ronin Gibbons), is returning to Chicago Saturday, April 12 for a “Conversation with …” evening at the DuSable Museum, starting at 6 p.m.

Lindo is also an executive producer of DuSable’s latest and possibly its most formidable exhibition. “Question Bridge: Black Males” is a 5-screen, 3-hour video installation revolving around interviews with 1,500 black men who ask and answers provocative and enlightening questions about what it means to be a black man in these times.

“Many interviews were shot in Chicago,” says Pemon Rami, the Museum’s director of educational services and producer of public programs.  Rami is a former Hollywood film and TV producer and casting director who returned to his native Chicago four years ago.  The Chicago native has been involved with the DuSable since 1961.

LAWYERS FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS on May 1 will welcome new executive director Jan Feldman, a prominent trial attorney, member of LCA’s executive committee and past president on many nonprofit arts boards.  He succeeds William Rattner who is retiring after 14 years of service to LCA. 

During Rattner’s tenure, LCA enjoyed a substantial budget, increase in the number of volunteer attorneys and clients served and new program offerings.

WHO’S NEW. Steve Immer joined FCB Chicago as a video editor, after two years with 200 Stories Tall … Ogilvy & Mather boosted Larry Byrne  to senior partner/chief production officers from senior partner/director of production. He’s been with the agency for 13 years … Cap Gun added rising young director LA-based Abteen Baghen for US representation. In 2011, his breakthrough video for Harlem rapper ASAP Rocky’s “Peso” put him in contention for Best New Director honors from the UK Music Video Awards, and won him a spot with UK-based Somesuch & Co., which reps him outside the US.

Starcom USA’s many promotions start with Brenda White, its new EVP/managing director, from SVP/group director.  New SVPs from VPs: Colleen Leahy and Trina Potter. Boosted to VPs, from directors: Kira Clifton, Jonathan Haynes, Zach Isaacs, Lindsay Leon-Atkins, Amanda Lombardi, Brooke McLaughlin, Colleen Robson, and Guava Steele.

THE 676 N. LASALLE BUILDING is in the process of being sold. Over the past 40 years, it served as a true production hub that provided affordable offices, screening rooms, and equipment rental space for many a film biz company. Chances are it will be demolished and replaced with condos.


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