THE REEL THING: News & Notes

THAT THE TAX INCENTIVE BOOSTS BUSINESS was evidenced during August 7-19 when six spot houses took advantage of Illinois’ 20% film tax credit.

Bi-coastal HSI produced for Sears agency Y&R and New York’s Harpoon Pictures for A. Eicoff, both expected back for more Sears work later this month. This week the Story Company is shooting for Sears.

SENATE PRESIDENT EMIL JONES will be Columbia College’s guest of honor Sept. 25 celebration at to thank Jones for his leadership in guiding the passage of the tax incentive extension through the state legislature.

CHICAGO SCREENWRITERS GROUP snagged local best selling author/screenwriter Jay Bonansinga and his long-time agent, Peter Miller, head of New York-based PMA Literary and Film Management, for its Oct. 1 meeting at the Lincoln Restaurant.

Send your RSVP ASAP to president@chicagoscreenwriters.org as only the first 70 respondents will be accepted. Write RSVP in the subject line.

RANDY KING former Ch. 11 EVP, joined Christian broadcast company Total Living Network as a vice president. You may recall that Ch. 11 hired King at the same time it hired from Ch. 32, where King had been station operations director and executive producer. King left the station when Sirott did. Aurora-based TLN is one of the biggest producers of Christian broadcasting in the U.S.

AGENCY PRODUCER LARRY MOON made the move to rep/producer by signing with Pop Films ? the Asian Connection for production and support services he calls it — based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Shanghai. Phone, 312/938-0985; Email, moonrun@earthlink.net. See www.popfilms.com.

DUSTIN HOFFMAN receives the Career Achievement Award in his first appearance at the Chicago International Film Festival, during the Oct. 5 Opening Night celebration. “Stranger than Fiction,” directed in Chicago by Marc Forster (“Monster’s Ball”) will kick off the 15 day festival.

“Fiction” stars Emma Thompson, Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Queen Latifah are expected to be in attendance. Call 312/683-0121 for advance discount passes now on sale.

THE JOSEPH JEFFERSON AWARDS NOD went to 155 nominations in 28 categories for Equity Theatre productions led by Court Theatre, the Goodman and Marriott Theatre each with 13 nominations. Close behind were Chicago Shakespeare and Northlight with 12 and Drury Lane Water Tower Place, 11.

The ceremony will be held Nov. 6 at the DePaul Merle Reskin theatre, preceded by buffet and cash bar at the Hilton. Tickets $35 and $65. See www.jeffawards.org.