IN PRODUCTION. “Batman: The Intimidation Game” rolls into town July 26 for three weeks ? “The Amityville Horror,” directed by Andrew Douglas starts shooting Aug. 2 at locations around Lake Geneva, Kenosha and Silver Lake, Wisconsin. It stars Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George as the ill-fated homeowners George and Kathy Lutz.
State Street Productions’ “Roll Bounce,” directed by Malcolm D. Lee continues filming here until Aug. 20. It was originally set in San Diego but the location changed so it could be filmed here. Nick Cannon, Mike Epps, Rick Gonzalez and Meagon Good star.
MO’ MONEY. The cash award for 2004’s IFP/Chicago Production Fund will be upped from $500 to $2,500, awarded to the winning applicant at the Filmmaker’s Conference and Flyover Zone Film Festival Oct. 21-24. It includes an estimated $85,000 in in-kind goods and services from local vendors for the production of a short film. New Fund sponsors this year include Essanay, I-Cubed, and Black Cat. Production Fund application deadline is Sept. 10 and Sept. 24 for the Festival. Download applications at www.ifp.org.
UNDERGROUND FEST OPENS. Director Jim VanBebber’s feature “The Manson Family” opens the 11th Chicago Underground Film Festival, Aug. 18 at the 3 Penny Cinema, 2424 N Lincoln. Tickets for the film (including an opening concert at Schuba’s) are $15. See the complete schedule at www.cuff.org.
MEDICAL REALITY. Segments that Shirley Feldman field-produced for the medical reality TV show, “Chicago’s Lifeline,” will air on the Discovery Health Network Aug. 1, 8, 15, 29 and Sept. 5. Produced by Morningstar Entertainment, the show was shot at the U of C Hospital and on location. Feldman’s role was to interview and capture the day-to-day drama as it unfolded for patients with often life-threatening illnesses and the doctors who treated them.
L.A. AUDITION WORKSHOP HERE. L.A. casting director Cathy Henderson, CSA, will be in Chicago Aug. 20-22 to conduct a workshop to help actors hone their audition skills. Friday night (Aug. 20) is a down and dirty Q&A on how the L.A. industry works. “Leave your rose colored glasses at home,” Henderson warns. Saturday: one-on-one cold readings and critiques; Sunday, audition with a prepared scene. Fee is $195 for three days and includes the taped scene; $15 rap session only. At Three Pear Studios, 5219 N. Clark St. Sponsored by the L.A. Casting Connection and coordinated locally by actress Michaele Nicole. Call 847/269-3355 to register.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT. The CTA Lost & Found will soon be compelled to scrap a Portabrace bag left on the bus July 6. If you are the owner, or you know someone who might be, like an intern, call Carrie of the Lost & Found Department at 773/539-4640 before she pitches it. Stuff inside is too valuable not to be claimed.
LAKE FOREST COLLEGE wants to start a monthly series to screen films by filmmakers from many different backgrounds to show the diversity in the film community. The one-night gig would be paid. If you’re interested in screening your films at the college, send a resume and a list of films you’d like to show to Dan Kolen, head of the Lake Forest College Film Society, at kolendj@lfc.edu.
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