A MONSTER SEARS SHOOT is taking place ? 28 spots in all ?directed by Hollywood’s Patty Jenkins, writer/director of Academy Award winning “Monster,” starring Charlize Theron.
The monthlong shoot, handled by bi-coastal MJZ, takes place in suburban locations, with one day in Chicago. The 40 principal actors are being cast by David O’Connor.
Y&R is Sears agency; Lisa Margulis is executive producer; producers are Laurie Boccaccio David Fisher. Valerie Bulinski is location scout.
MJZ is having a good run with Chicago agencies. For Allstate/Leo Burnett, it handled the recreation of the “The Hunter’s” heart thumping car dive from the Marina City garage into the river over the weekend.
PRODUCER SANDY GORDON is going to take a break from the post business, after producing for The Whitehouse for the past six years. She leaves the company Oct. 20.
Although Gordon has nothing on tap, she plans to seek new opportunities in the field of TV show production. Email, sandy@sandrasite.com.
CIFF’S CHICAGO AWARD went to “Street Thief: A Filmed Record,” winning over 12 other Chicago made films. Malik Bader of the Bader Brothers directed, and Outsider’s Nadav Kurtz edited.
“Thief” competed against 12 other Chicago made films, including 10 entries in the “Home Grown” category. Catch it Oct. 18 at River East 21.
P.R. ACE JOHN DIGLES, an IPA mover and shaker, moved to Salt Lake City as SVP/sales and marketing for XanGo, LLC, a leading mangosteen supplement maker. He’d headed the MWW Group office in Chicago. First assignment: producing a feature doc on XanGo’s worldwide philanthropic work.
Digles vows he will produce his movie-in-development, “Angels,” in Chicago. A few years ago his Traveller Jones Productions produced “Design,” which had a good run on IFC cable.
EA ? ENTERTAINMENT ARTS, the world’s biggest software games developer, holds an invitation-only Grand Opening Oct. 25 to show off its new and busy Chicago studio at 215 W. Ohio.
EA bought Chicago-based NuEfx two years ago and Vancouver-based VP/general manager Kudo Tsunoada was in charge of the transition. He heads the 150-person blend of Vancouver and local talents.
CRAMER/KRASSELT wins the total Corona beer account, after having split creative duties with Dallas-based Richards Group on behalf of Corona’s two major distributors. Corona, the number one selling imported beer, spent $41.6 million on measured media in 2005.
DG SYSTEMS’ FORMER BUILDING at 112 W. Hubbard is up for sale or lease now that long-time occupant DG Systems/Fine Channel moved to smaller space at 200 W. Monroe. The building’s four floors are completely wired to handle the latest technology.
RAPPER JAY-Z is now an adman of sorts, since Bud Select tapped him as co-brand director.” He will be involved in broadcast and print ad campaigns, high-profit events, and “provide his unique spin, thoughts and insights on various brand programs.”
