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With Hammer-type horror movies absent from theatres, Islas makes them himself

By Ed M. Koziarski Jul 7, 2004

Ch. 20 editor Ricardo Islas continues his string of Hammer Films-inspired low-budget horror pictures when he shoots his lesbian vampire thriller this August. "Night Fan...

Screenwriter Mark Harris’ directing debut due for November video release

By Ed M. Koziarski Jul 7, 2004

It's a big summer for Mark Harris. After writing several unproduced scripts for hire, his directing debut "Why Men Cheat" is in post-production at Day For Night Film in V...

Independent Production Roundup

By Ed M. Koziarski Jul 7, 2004

A BENEFIT FOR ANTHONY COLLAMATI'S 2004 IFP/Chicago Production Fund-winning short "The Apologies" will be held Thursday, July 8 at Trace, 3714 N. Clark, from 7 p.m. to midnig...

Ben Affleck calls: Scott Smith makes Project Greenlight’s final top three

Jun 30, 2004

What made waiting for the phone call from Project Greenlight so nerve wracking for director Scott Smith, who was waiting to hear whether he was still in the game, "was tha...

Waukegan holds July 4 filmmaking race

Jun 27, 2004

Waukegan holds its first 24h/7min Film Event over July 4th, in which 10 filmmaking teams race to complete a 7-minute film in 24 consecutive hours, starting at 9 a.m. Satur...

Breakthrough doc on reproductive rights of black women to hold June 29 benefit

By Ed M. Koziarski Jun 24, 2004

Documentarian Faith Pennick was talking with her schoolteacher friend about abortion in the context of national elections when her friend made a statement that would set P...

Reaves starts new production in September; Lion’s Gate to release his Holmes horror pic

By Ed M. Koziarski Jun 24, 2004

With his horror movie "The Evil One" due out on video from Lion's Gate in August, Parris Reaves is gearing up to return to his DIY roots for a pair of Christian films."The...

“Poetic Emancipation” filmmakers out to bring Assyrian culture to U.S. screens

By Ed M. Koziarski Jun 24, 2004

Producer/DP Ron Rehana and director Haron Adoni Esho have set themselves a tall order for their debut feature "Poetic Emancipation.""Think 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' as a d...

Animators special report, Part II

Jun 24, 2004

by Ed M. Koziarski This is the second of a two-part report. BEACON ENTERTAINMENT INC. 5125 Blodgett, Ste. 218, Downer's Grove Joel David Swiney, 630/663-9956 Based in Downer's...

Up & Down the Avenue – 6/24/04

Jun 24, 2004

Local 476 is taking action against Paramount to lift its hiring ban against the two white union members who allegedly perpetrated racial harassment against an African-Amer...

REELSCREEN: News & Notes – 6/24/04

Jun 24, 2004

MOVIEMAKING AT THE MUSEUM. A tremendous amount of work went into "Action: An Adventure in Moviemaking," the exhibit at the The Museum of Science & Industry. Presented by B...

McDonald’s CCO Marlena Peleo-Lazar is named 2004 Advertising Woman of the Year

Jun 24, 2004

McDonald's VP/chief creative officer Marlena Peleo- Lazar was named 2004 Advertising Woman of the Year by the Women's Advertising Club of Chicago and the Chicago Advertisin...

Independent film production update

Jun 24, 2004

"RUNAWAY DIVAS," Monika Szewerniak and Aleksandra Hodowany's locally made feature-length modeling industry satire has its world premiere Friday, July 30-Aug. 5 at the Gene...

Peters to direct second feature in July in Champaign for under $500K budget

By Ed M. Koziarski Jun 24, 2004

Robin Peters of production and multimedia company Dreamscape Design is set to direct his sophomore feature in Champaign this July, the thriller "Disconnect" for an under-$...

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