Bill Hogan Jr., long-time leader of Teamsters Local 714, whose members are movie industry vehicle drivers, has been cited as a focus in the investigation of Chicago Teamster corruption. Although he was ousted from the union two years ago, investigators charge Hogan is still behind Joint Council 25, the umbrella group for Chicago-area locals.
Hogan is alleged to have been involved in contract deals that led to local Teamsters “being displaced by non-union labor for the benefit of Hogan’s family, friends and business associates.” Hogan’s son, Bob Hogan, is 714’s secretary-treasurer.
PAYS TO BE ROD’S FRIEND. Although the Illinois Lottery general market, $19 million ad account is handled by minority ad agency R. J. Dale, a $1.1 million contract to promote the Lottery to African Americans that runs through June 2006 was awarded to Danielle Ashley Communications. Ashley’s firm helped Gov. Blagojevich attract minority voters during his 2002 campaign.
GRAPHICS FEST. The first Chicago Motion Graphics Festival kicks off Oct. 22 at the Chicago Historical Society, showcasing commercials, animatics, commercials, art video and machinima and what have you that define motion graphs. Featured are work from Digital Kitchen, MK12, OVT Visuals, Red vs. Blue and music videos from Radiohead, Tortoise and Hooverphonic, among many others. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8, $10 tickets and cash bar.
HISTORYMAKERS DVD DEBUT. Atlanta director Tom Spencer will direct TheHistorymakers’ live/tape “Evening with Russell Simmons,” interviewed by Radio and TV One’s founder Karen Hughes Oct. 22 at the School of the Art Institute. The evening is dedicated to the late media executive Launa Thompson, co-chairman of the event. Next up: TheHistorymakers’ executive director Julianna Richardson goes to L.A. for the Nov. 18 debut screening of “Salute to The Historymakers” DVD produced by Russell Simmons’ company. Actor James Avery (“Fresh Prince of Bel Air”) hosts the presentation.
CAN’T MISS HALLOWEEN BASH. For 19 years now Ari Golan has hosted a not-to-be missed Halloween party where the wildly extravagant costumes are the big draw well worth the $50 donation “per corpse.” The anniversary and party runs from 8 p.m. Oct. 30 through dawn at Golan Productions’ studio at 1501 N. Magnolia. Ticket includes open bar, hors d’oeuvres, dancing and prizes ? plus music by favorite bands and mystery guest performers. Partial proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Call 312/642- 4500.
EXCLUSIVE LENS SOURCE. Schumacher Camera added new Cooke 180mm S4/I prime to their inventory of Cooke S4 lenses. Schumacher is currently the only U.S. rental house to carry the lens.
LOCAL SHOW TO PAX. Executive producer and host Beth Aldrich’s show, “For Her Information,” will air on PAX Television later this year and will be seen on CAN TV Ch. 21 during November. The show idea sprang from discussions with other mothers who were looking to one another for advice and referrals. The show features Dr. Jane Goodall’s personal stories and mission about how to make the world a better place, and restaurant owner Rick Bayless’ tour of his garden. Aldrich’s phone: 312/623-5992; see a clip at www.forherinformation.com.
CONCERT VIDEO. Gaffer Phil Contursi’s fast-growing Product Productions assembled crew and equipment for a massive shoot of a video to be used for the opening of the Jay-Z and R. Kelly concert tour. Venue was the city of Elgin. Product Productions is located in the Contursi-owned 15,000-sq. ft. building at 2155 W. Hubbard. Called Space Stage Studios, it offers a 55×35 sound stage with cyc, insert stage, and scene dock big enough for a 30-ft. truck New: a custom-built 1.5 ton truck. Phone, 312/421-9030.
TOP CH. 11 SHOW. David Manilow’s “Check Please” series has proven to be Ch. 11’s most popular show, motivating Manilow’s Semaphore Media to expand to other markets. San Francisco’s PBS outlet KQED is developing a local version of the show. New York is targeted after that. Semaphore produces 13 episodes each season, at $20-$25,000 an episode, choosing Joe Public guests from the 9,000 on the waiting list to appear on the show. Host is Alpana Singh. Manilow has a contract to produce the show for two more years. He is a former owner of the now- defunct Orbis.
SECURITY PSA. Editworks Chicago was tapped by Nextel, sponsor of the NASCAR Nextel Cup, to produce a PSA for September’s National Preparedness month. It featured Homeland Security director Tom Ridge, NASCAR Driver Jeff Burton and Nextel CEO Tim Donahue speaking on the need for preparedness for any natural disaster or terrorist attack. It was shown pre-race on Jumbotrons at all NASCAR events.
