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Doubling 2003’s $25.6 million for features/TV is this year’s IFO goal

Feb 7, 2004

Feature business last year in Illinois was not only a heckuva lot better than it first appeared ? and it also looks like it's going to significantly improve in 2004. Clockin...

Up and Down the Avenue – 02/07/04

Feb 7, 2004

JWT wins the $12 million Illinois Tourism account, resigned last year by BBDO. Tom Bernadin is Leo Burnett's new president, from Interpublic's Lowe's/New York -- the first n...

County won’t enact lease, sale taxes

Feb 7, 2004

Good news for the film industry, baaad news for smokers. The good news: The Cook County Board of Commissioners Feb. 3 voted not to enact any type of lease tax, or to incre...

Hugos to be SRO when it honors Joe Pykta at TV/spot festival March 11

Feb 7, 2004

Joe Pytka needs no introduction. The King of Commercials ? the director who's made billions of dollars for the biggest advertisers in the world, the winner of every conceivable...

Women only to work on Split Pillow’s second improv film shooting in April

By Ed M. Koziarski Feb 7, 2004

Seven women have set out to accomplish what it took 14 men to do before.The Women's Cliffhanger Project is a more streamlined, structured version of the improvisational filmmaki...

Visions of Light’s new HD Panasonic package targeted to indie filmmakers

By Ed M. Koziarski Feb 7, 2004

Visions of Light's Joe Farris took a major risk last summer when he decided to buy how own camera package. He got a $150,000 loan with the Small Business Administration just b...

Freelance editor’s travel pilot aims to target young travelers on budget

By Ed M. Koziarski Feb 7, 2004

Freelance editor Ryan Koscielniak has a plan to turn his passion for travel into a concept he can sell to television. Through his RyBred Films, he is producing the TV pilot "24...

Radio Ridge builds on 2003’s growth expanding to HD, features, TV shows

By Ed M. Koziarski Feb 7, 2004

Radio Ridge Productions is gearing up for a year of growth to follow up several major expansions in the past year."We're in the midst of a major drive toward new business develo...

Bob Hudgins heads new IFP board; executive director Cowing resigns

Feb 7, 2004

Executive director Rebekah Cowing will leave IFP/Chicago after four years, and the IFO's Bob Hudgins now heads IFP's new board of directors. After nearly four years at IFP...

REELSCREEN: News & Notes – 2/7/04

Feb 7, 2004

"BARBER SHOP 2" BENEFIT MAKES THE CUT. Columbia College alums and "Barber Shop 2" producers George Tillman (left) and Bob Teitel (third from left) join college president Dr. War...

Local indie “Nightingale” returns from Slamdance with top jury prize

Jan 28, 2004

Producer Leigh Jones returned from Slamdance invigorated and justifiably excited as the indie feature she produced for director/writer Hurt McDermott claimed the Jury Honor for ...

New $25 million Loop hotel to rise Majestic-ally above Shubert theater

Jan 28, 2004

Chicago's next boutique hotel is certain to be a theatrical affair: 128 rooms sitting on top of the Shubert Theatre at 22 W. Monroe St. The historic, mid-rise Majestic Building...

Chicago theater is big business

Jan 28, 2004

By Jonathan Abarbanel An exuberant John Calloway moderated a recent City Club of Chicago luncheon panel devoted to the business of live theater, the first City Club event foc...

Up and Down the Avenue – 01/28/04

Jan 28, 2004

"Weather Man" writer Steve Conrad is also co-producing with Todd Black and Penny Rose. Besides Nicolas Cage, it stars Hope Davis and Michael Caine. Filming starts here Feb. 2...

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