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VeggieTales sells for $19.mm
to Classic Media of New York

Oct 30, 2003

VeggieTales' characters are now owned by Classic Media LLC of New York. Big Idea's annual revenue was about $40 million in 2001 and 2002, but the Lombard-based Christian anim...

You’ve Gotta KFC What’s Cookin’

Oct 30, 2003

"You've Gotta KFC What's Cookin'" is the tagline of the first two new spots FCB produced for client $200 million-billing client KFC. Director was Jonathan David ...

Costello, Jorden’s first feature a
Lion’s Gate video release

By Ed M. Koziarski Oct 17, 2003

Rappers Mr. Cheeks and Trina star in "A Miami Tail," now out on video from Lion's Gate.It was soon after 9/11/01 that FCB creative Colin Costello and creative assistant Stephani...

Program inks $1 million Wolves deal

Oct 17, 2003

Program Productions of Lombard inked a two year-deal with the Chicago Wolves Hockey Team to provide remote broadcast facilities and crews for all home and away games. A t...

“Doubting Riley” panel one of 25
ShowBiz Expo keynote speakers

Oct 17, 2003

The "Doubting Riley" production team is the latest keynote panel in ShowBiz Expo's stellar line-up of experts to tell you anything and everything you've ever wanted to know abou...

Steve Jones-Matt Hale video for rock legends Styx on DVD

By Ed M. Koziarski Oct 17, 2003

Styx' new DVD includes a music video by Steve Jones and Ken HaleA DVD by rock legends Styx, just released by Sanctuary Music, features a new music video by local director/produc...

Top local, L.A. experts at
IFP indie film conference

Oct 17, 2003

Two independent movies will have their Chicago premiere at IFP/Chicago's 12th annual Independent Filmmakers Conference Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at the School of the Art Institute. ...

Shallcross-James feature “Uncle Nino”
premieres Oct. 31 at IFP Conference

By Ed M. Koziarski Oct 17, 2003

Joe Mantegna and Anne Archer star in "Uncle Nino"David James doesn't want to open his film in New York or Los Angeles.The producer of the Chicago-made feature "Uncle Nino" is ho...

Up and Down the Avenue – 10/17/03

Oct 17, 2003

THE WINDY CITY AWARDS have morphed into the Chicago Creative Club and the new awards show takes place Nov. 13 at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Judges are all from outside Chi...

Spots keep rollin’ along

Oct 17, 2003

Not every commercial heads for Toronto or L.A. (whose numbers have dropped). A sizeable number are being produced here at home and by out-of-towners who like our style and look...

Producer vows ?the magic will
happen’ to bring script to screen

Oct 17, 2003

"Sweet Home Chicago" up next for Epiphany Films' Dan Halperin and Mark Frazel When Mark Frazel and Dan Halperin of Epiphany Pictures asked me to produce their feature film ...

REELSCENE: News & Notes – 10/17/03

Oct 17, 2003

GIULIANI SPEAKS HERE. Yes, the former New York mayor and 9/11 hero Rudy Giuliani will be the keynote speaker for the Dec. 3 Off the Street Club's annual holiday luncheon, thanks...

SAG/AFTRA-agency contract boosts
session fees 7%; P&W to 14.3%

Oct 2, 2003

The lightning-fast negotiations for a proposed new three-year SAG/AFTRA commercials contract providing a 6.1% to 15% boost in payments was approved Oct. 1 by a huge margin by th...

$43 million in debt, Big Idea files
Chapter 11; assets for auction Oct. 28

Oct 2, 2003

Big Idea Productions of Lombard, producers of the phenomenally-successful VeggieTales videos, books, games and music, has found itself in a cauldron of boiling financial wat...

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