EIGHTBALL FILMS’ Caton Volk’s music video with local electrorock band Assassins will start making the rounds of the prestigious Indie Music Festival in three Canadian cities, Seattle and New York.
Titled “Always” (Wanting What You Ain’t Got), the two-minute video was collaboration among the band, Daily Planet graphics and director/cameraman Volk, who self-financed the video. As a spec piece, “Always” fulfilled its mission.
Volk is gaining new clients and several major labels are vying to sign the band. DP was Kurt Branstetter shooting in HD. Daily Planet’s directed the motion graphics.
ORLAND PARK-BASED MPI MEDIA is co-producing a documentary, “Hard Rock Treasures,” with Don Bernstine, head of memorabilia acquisitions for the Hard Rock restaurant chain. The 90-minute show headed PBS features interviews with such rock icons as Peter Frampton, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Styx and others. MPI Greg Newman directed and Pat Yacono scored original music and mixed. Editing in Nashville.
TRACY DIXON from L.A. has been casting extras for “The Break Up,” following a stint on the earlier “Il Mare.” She’ll extend her stay here if “Die Hard 4” lands in Chicago as rumored … Meanwhile, Claire Simon is casting a lengthy list of roles for “Prison Break’s” fifth episode, filming at Chicago Studio City.
EXPERT FOOD SHOOTER Tom Ryan of Dallas-based Directors spent a week on Essanay’s big stage on spots for a variety of new Bob Evans sausage products. Ryan’s producer was Billy Hollems and client Chicago Creative Partnership’s Steve Ross produced for the agency. Ryan is no stranger to the city. He had a production company here for five years in the ?90s.
OVER AT SWELL, Joe Otting directed and Joe Doria produced a PSA for the American Kennel Club, with kids of all ages pledging they will act properly and responsibly around their pet dogs. David Kessler shot in 35mm at locations in suburban Riverside…. And colorist Tom Roback works his magic on an Oprah show 20th anniversary DVD. Harpo’s head of operations, Radi Akel, is Swell’s former president, a position new held by former agency production exec Monna O’Brien.
RADAR’S DON HOEG directed a live action Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes spot via Leo Burnett with kids playing soccer and stunt skateboarding.
PRODUCER TIM SAZO, splitting his time between Chicago and L.A., is freelancing for Storn, Pann, Margolis.
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