TIMING IS EVERYTHING, they say, and Roger Ebert’s new movie review show comes on the scene coincidentally as the last vestiges of Disney’s “At the Movies” syndicated review show fade to black after nearly 25 years on television.
In his blog, printed in Friday’s Sun-Times, Ebert tells about his new movie review show, “Roger Ebert presents At the Movies,” that he and his wife, Chaz, are producing.
More than just a TV show, it will have total new media distribution: net streaming, cell phone apps, Facebook, Twitter, etc., he says.
The show also will focus on “new cinema,” indies, foreign films, documentaries, restored classics, the kind of films that tend to be overwhelmed by blockbuster promotions and get lost in the shuffle.
Ebert and his wife, Chaz, will produce the show, which will be taped at Ch. 20’s state-of-the-art facilities, as the Reel disclosed last week. Ebert says that potential hosts were auditioned via video in L.A. last week, and that he “would like to make occasional appearances on the air.”
Disney-ABC this week terminated the latest iteration of its syndicated “At the Movies,” with esteemed movie reviewers Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune and A.O. Scott of the New York, that was taped at Ch. 7.
THE WHITEHOUSE is calling its newly formed production arm the Cap Gun collective. Said collective, consisting of executive producer Matt Abramson, director Alex Fendrich and assistant producer Kaitlyn Parks, is busily working on spots for Leo Burnett and The Escape Pod.
“IMMIGRANT NATION!” a feature-length doc by producer/director Esau Melendez, won the Cine Latino Award from the recent Washington, D.C. DCIFF for “the best picture made by a Latino filmmaker that reflects the heart and minds of the Latino people and culture.”
The doc is the story of activist Elvira Arellano, who you may remember was about to be deported and found sanctuary in a Catholic church, which ignited the pro-immigrant movement.
“Nation” gets its Midwest premiere here April 18 at the Chicago Latino Film Festival, April 16-26 before it sets out to further acclaim, we suspect, on the festival circuit.
MICHAEL KUTZA, Chicago International Film Festival founder/artistic director can add “author” to his many achievements. His insider’s book, “Move Me! Touch Me!” tells what it takes to have produced this major world festival for 46 amazing years and the people he’s met along the way.
Kutza will share don’t miss secrets with WGA radio host and Tribune columnist Rick Kogan on April 20 at Maxim’s. Call 312/742-8497 for tickets. Hurry, they’re almost sold out.
Wait, there’s more! On May 4, Kutza will receive the Media Award from the Niagara Peace and Dialogue Awards 2010 at the Ritz-Carlton hotel.
THE RESULTS of Zacuto’s Great Camera Shootout conducted in January that pitted the quality of new DSLR cameras against the traditional 35mm, is now available in a remarkably informative and surprising 3-part web series at
