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CIFF intros Industry Days during Oct. 15-29 festival

By Lori Rotenberk Aug 13, 2015

For the first time in its half-century history, the Chicago International Film Festival is going beyond its general audience screenings with what CIFF founder/artistic director...

Trisect’s two new creative leaders are digital pros

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 12, 2015

Independent agency Trisect further boosted its reputation for integrated marketing programs and digital brand experiences with the addition of two new top creatives: Chris Hun...

Common EP on Showtime’s Chicago-set dramatic pilot

By Mike Morgan Aug 11, 2015

Showtime is opening an office at Cinespace Aug. 28 to start production on a pilot for an untitled drama written by Lena Waite (“Dear White People”) and executive produced ...

Nagan joins AmDoc/POV as executive director/EP

By Mike Morgan Aug 11, 2015

After three years as Kartemquin’s executive director and executive producer, Justine Nagan has joined American Documentary, Inc. (AmDoc), New York as executive director and e...

Indie premiere on rooftop under the stars tonight

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 11, 2015

Tonight, the premiere of a Chicago-produced indie films will screen under the stars on the rooftop of Whole Foods in Lincoln Park, presented by Susie and Eddie Linker’s Eleva...

REEL MICHIGAN

Film adaptation of best seller to shoot in Michigan

By Mike Morgan Aug 11, 2015

Film crews are being sought for a Paramount feature that will start filming in Michigan this fall: “Looking for Alaska,” based on John Green’s best-selling novel. The ...

AbelCine opens unique Learning Point at Cinespace

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 11, 2015

Chicago’s infrastructure got another big boost with the official opening Monday of AbelCine’s new Learning Point at Cinespace — this region’s first-of-a-kind combo in...

DePaul Cinema dean describes why school is tops

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 11, 2015

While DePaul’s omission from The Hollywood Reporter’s 2015 list of 25 best film schools in the US was disappointing, Dean David Miller is presenting many good reasons confi...

WIF Chicago hosts Aug. 13 meeting at new Conspiracy

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 11, 2015

Women in Film Chicago is launching the largest sponsorship drive in its 35 year history, with the goal of helping women working in the visual media industry pursue their care...

REEL THINGS

Wachowskis’ “Sense8” renewed for second season

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 10, 2015

OUT OF THIS WORLD NEWS. The Wachowskis’ Netflix sci-fi series, Sense8, that filmed at Cinespace last summer, has been renewed for a second season, “thanks to fan resp...

“Prison Break” reboot a 3rd Fox pilot possibility

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 10, 2015

“Prison Break,” a hit Fox show that originated in Chicago 2005-2006, is being rebooted, Fox announced at the Television Critics Conference in LA last week, when the netwo...

Lee Daniels to lead “Empire” spinoff and new series

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 10, 2015

Fox’ “Empire” is expanding with a spinoff of the hit show and also with a new dramatic pilot called “Star,” being developed by “Empire” co-creator and executive...

New MillerCoors CMO gives Cavalry its marching orders

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 10, 2015

The big news that rocked Michigan Avenue Friday was also bad news for Chicago advertising. Cavalry, the three-year old agency dedicated solely to Coors advertising was routed...

REEL THINGS

80 years since the first Leo Burnett bowl of apples

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 6, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEO BURNETT! When Leo Burnett opened his new advertising agency on August 5, 1935, during the Great Depression, he brightened the office with a bowl of re...

CineFest Block Party to rock at Cinespace, Aug. 28-30

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 5, 2015

Block parties are always fun, but when the party brings together music, movies, food and drinks for a good cause, it’s bound to be a huge success. And that’s what t...

Editor Caleb Hepler joins Optimus from Whitehouse

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 5, 2015

Optimus’ hiring of editor Caleb Hepler, who starts the latest chapter of his career on Monday, Aug. 10, brings the number of Optimus editors to 10. Hepler moves over fr...

REEL THINGS

‘Copter to capture aerials here for sci-fi thriller

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 4, 2015

THIS FRIDAY NIGHT late and very early Saturday morning, a crew will be shooting aerials and plate shots in Chicago for DC Comics’ sci-fi thriller “Suicide Squad.” Helico...

Proceeds from CRC’s music night aid Alive Rescue

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 4, 2015

Sarah Hamilton’s pet beagle, Hotch, is about to get a roommate, a rescue dog from Alive Rescue, the seven-year old save haven animal shelter in Avondale. Alive Rescue w...

FILM SCHOOLS

NU, Columbia but not DPU on THR’s best schools list

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 4, 2015

For the past several years, Chicago filmmakers puffed with pride as three of its area film schools were rated among the 25 best by The Hollywood Reporter. But its 2015 list, h...

REEL THINGS

Two Chicago connections to Marvel’s “Ant-Man” hit

By Ruth L Ratny Aug 3, 2015

ACTOR DAVID DASTMALCHIAN, an ensemble member of the Shattered Globe Company and Caffeine Theatre, is in Marvel Studio’s $132 million blockbuster “Ant-Man,” playing Kurt...

TOP STORIES

“It’s OK to Ask Questions” kicks off Season 3

Chicago teen filmmaker Aeris Danet becomes youngest winner in CHFF history

INTERVIEW: Chicago’s Pascal Ibgui talks Golden Bachelorette and love

CIFF intros Industry Days during Oct. 15-29 festival

Trisect’s two new creative leaders are digital pros

Common EP on Showtime’s Chicago-set dramatic pilot

Nagan joins AmDoc/POV as executive director/EP

Indie premiere on rooftop under the stars tonight

Film adaptation of best seller to shoot in Michigan

AbelCine opens unique Learning Point at Cinespace

DePaul Cinema dean describes why school is tops

WIF Chicago hosts Aug. 13 meeting at new Conspiracy

Wachowskis’ “Sense8” renewed for second season

“Prison Break” reboot a 3rd Fox pilot possibility

Lee Daniels to lead “Empire” spinoff and new series

New MillerCoors CMO gives Cavalry its marching orders

80 years since the first Leo Burnett bowl of apples

CineFest Block Party to rock at Cinespace, Aug. 28-30

Editor Caleb Hepler joins Optimus from Whitehouse

‘Copter to capture aerials here for sci-fi thriller

Proceeds from CRC’s music night aid Alive Rescue

NU, Columbia but not DPU on THR’s best schools list

Two Chicago connections to Marvel’s “Ant-Man” hit

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