The turnout for last Thursday’s first “Chicago Film & TV Industry Networking Event and Pitches” was “a ridiculously amazing turnout and so great for this city,” says Kristyn Jo Benedyk, chair of DePaul’s screenwriting program.
Benedyk created the event and co-hosted it with her husband, Matt Irvine, director of DePaul’s School of Cinema and Interactive Media. The pitches were held in the theatre and the networking on the rooftop lounge of the new Luxury Loop building on East Lake Street.
Despite the short notice for the event, an estimated 200 eager media artists attended and some 40 pitches were made by screenwriters, producers, cinematographers, directors and actors, and even company executives seeking to hire new staffers.
Co-host Irvine describes the evening as a serious business platform. “This wasn’t people getting together over a drink to talk about their favorite film. Deals happened. People were hired. The momentum of the Chicago film and television industry felt a surge last Thursday night, for sure.”
What started out small grew quickly
After the pitches, the guests moved to a rooftop lounge for further in-depth conversations. DePaul’s cinema program co-sponsored the network that Benedyk now the Chicago Cinematic Community, generously providing a top-shelf open bar, catered h’oeuvres and desserts.
“What started as a small event for DePaul’s MFA students I hopes of collaboration on their projects turned ito a large-scale, city-wide opportunity for the visual media community to come together,” she says.
The evening went “so incredibly well” that Benedyk and Irvine plan to hold networking and pitches on a semi-annual basis, or more frequently if the demand calls for it.
Sponsors, a planning committee and bigger venue will be required to accommodate what appears to be a tide of interest and participation.
A major component of the next Chicago Cinematic Community evening will be the attendance of LA-based decision-makers. “These connections will help launch and sustain their careers,” Benedyk notes.
Goal is for entire movies to be made here
An even more important mission to reach a point where local filmmakers could entirely produce their projects from preproduction through post in Chicago.
“We have all the resources to do that, from amazing casting agencies to top notch post houses. And the more people who are able to connect with each other, the greater the chances of Chicago stories making it to the screens,” she says.
In talking about how quickly the event exploded, Benedyk graciously complimented Reel Chicago. “After the announcement in Reel Chicago, the emails came flooding in. This is testament to how valued and respected Reel Chicago is as a resource for media artists here in Chicago.”
Comments, questions, ideas, et al are welcomed and should be sent to Benedyk at kgb@cim.epaul.edu.
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