REELSCENE: News & Notes

CROSSROADS IS PRODUCING the latest batch of Illinois Lottery commercials ? a package of three ? for DDB/executive producer Joel Goldsmith. Crossroads’ Chuck Bennett directs, Bob Yeoman lenses and Mike LaBellarte’s Outsider will edit. Casting by O’Connor Casting. Crossroads executive producer is Joanne Bittmann.

DIRECTOR PETER KIMBALL got a little piece of the “Wedding” cake last week when he directed a small HD video crew and shot Lincoln Park exteriors for scenes in the new CBS comedy, “My Great Big Greek Life.” Post Effects supplied the camera crew, lighting by Rick Moyer and location services by Brady Breen. “I’m trying to get the show’s producers to commit the whole production if the show is renewed,” he vowed. “Let’s keep our fingers crossed.”

AFTER A DECADE in production, Man-Sung’s “Book of Swords” indie film will be privately screened next week by the people who worked on it over the years. A $100K loan from IDFA enabled him to complete the Kung Fu action film and arrange its distribution.

Radar scores big with its comedic Nintendo GameCube/Leo Burnett spot promoting a free game that’s currently getting plenty of air play. In the spot, a video gamer-store clerk in need of a shave and eyedrops is oblivious until a customer’s purchase of a Nintendo GameCube snaps him out of his trance. Radar’s Don Hoeg directed the live action, John Truckenbrod provided the visual effects and Greg Somerlot edited. Pat Fischer and Russ Harper lensed at Essanay. Burnett’s Ron Nelken was executive producer.

WITH FOUR JOBS in the house, Film & Tape Works had an “an extraordinarily busy day” last week, reported executive producer Adam Marton reported: Videos for CDW and Morgan Stanley, a PR production for indie producer Tom Smith Productions and a Webcast for Yahoo.

SCOTT TARADASH’S feature music doc, “Homeboy,” nabbed Best Documentary award from the Pan African Film & Arts Festival in L.A. Editor Taradash works mostly with Amazon.

STROBOSCOPIA’S PALOMA BOILES has organized the Chicago chapter of the international Women in Animation. “We want to build a Chicago community that helps everyone in the animation field,” she said. “We want to call on animation, production and post to support local animation work,” added. The first general meeting March 1 is open to all interested persons, including men.
Meeting host is ITOONS, 3717 N. Ravenswood 6-7:30 p.m.