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REELSCREEN: News & Notes – 02/24/04

Feb 24, 2004

HUGOS HONOR MARIN. The 40th annual Hugo Awards national television competition will honor Carol Marin, broadcast ("60 Minutes," "48 Hours") and print journalist (Chicago Tribune...

Game developers Gigante move into expanded space; grow to 35 staffers

By Ed M. Koziarski Feb 24, 2004

Well into development on their second major game release, Studio Gigante ? the former "Mortal Kombat" development team ? moved to 13,000-sq. ft. space at 4621 N. Ravenswood, tri...

Recently-purchased Orbis studio is shuttered, equipment sent to Dallas

Feb 24, 2004

First, Orbis Productions and studio facility was sold a scant three months ago to Texan Mark Bunting, who announced the purchase with great fanfare. Now, it's gone, pouff! just ...

Medical problems not an act

Feb 24, 2004

By Jonathan Abarbanel A spate of medical emergencies has affected at least three Off-Loop shows. I don't know what a spate is, either, but it never seems to be good. The S...

Updated Silver Images Awards one of many Terra Nova elderhood projects

By Ed M. Koziarski Feb 24, 2004

After a year's hiatus, Terra Nova's X Silver Images Film Festival returns as a streamlined Silver Images Film and Video Awards March 3 at the Chicago Cultural Center.For a decad...

AICP survey: $3.5 BB for production; L.A. still biggest U.S. spot center

Feb 16, 2004

Everyone knows the commercial production industry is big, but how big didn't hit home until the new AICP survey spotlighted its immense size. According to the survey, di...

Government staffers largest group among film Task Force appointees

Feb 16, 2004

The highly touted Task Force for the film industry that DCEO director Jack Lavin assured would help lead filmmaking to new heights has been named. As a matter of fact, two week...

Famous local animators to topline April Midwest Animators Conference

Feb 16, 2004

Famous regional stars of regional animated films and commercials will highlight the 2004 Midwest Animators Conference April 23-24 at the Double Trees Guest Suites in Downers Gro...

Selz wraps post on second HD horror feature as debut screamer hits stores

Feb 16, 2004

With his first horror movie "Short Cut Road" in stores, Marc Selz is in the final weeks of post on his follow-up, "Unaware." The HD "Unaware" is a step up from the no-budget ...

DV feature “Equinox” and short start non-profit theater group’s film entr?e

By Ed M. Koziarski Feb 16, 2004

New Theater Collective's expansion into film is in full swing, with two projects in production.Natalie Berning's DV feature "Equinox" shoots weekends in Wisconsin from now thro...

House music impresario makes feature debut with vampire girl-gang thriller

By Ed M. Koziarski Feb 16, 2004

Handheld Films is breaking from principal photography on its $500,000 sci-fi thriller "Lost Girls" to shop the work in progress at the American Film Market held in L.A. this m...

REELSCREEN: News & Notes

Feb 16, 2004

EQUIPMENT EXPANSION. SMS Equipment Rentals acquired three Panasonic SDX900 camera packages "that are positioned under HD for people who can't handle an HD budget," says owner Ma...

“?Chicago River” film emerges from licensing quagmire for DVD release

By Ed M. Koziarski Feb 16, 2004

Producer Steven A. Jones threatened to throw the negative of John McNaughton's horror movie "The Borrower" into the river to force the bond company to pay the back wages owed to...

TV actors Elizabeth Moss, Sam Riley take Q&As at IFP Spirit screenings

Feb 16, 2004

Hardy souls braved freezing temperatures to attend a series of IFP/Midwest-sponsored screenings at Columbia College that presented films in 15 candidates vying for this year's I...

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