LIQUID 9 CELEBRATES ITS LAUNCH as a new Chicago production company with separate post and music divisions, at an Open House Thursday, 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 20 in new space at 843 W. Randolph, announces founder/producer Chris Connor.
Chicago is the first outreach office for Connor’s nine-year old Kansas City-headquartered company. The Kansas City studio has a staff of 15 and Chicago “will end up with eight on staff,” he says. “These are all permanent staff and we will draw from both company locations to assure the right person for the job.”
Liquid 9 has teamed with venerable Roy Skillicorn and his recently formed Seed Media to provide production services and the two new companies being introduced are Talking Machine for post/VFX/finishing and Fuzz Bomb, a source for sound design and original music.
“We’re here for the long run,” Connor says about the six year lease Liquid 9 signed with the West Loop building.
ACTOR DOUG JAMES, who plays the silent gray-haired assassin in “Boss,” which just gets more tense and exciting with each new episode, and fellow “Boss” actors will host an Oct. 19 finale party of the show’s second season at Market restaurant bar, 1113 W. Randolph.
James predicts this will be a bigger blowout than previous parties and his band will again be entertaining the crowd.
Oprah recently mentioned to Kelsey Grammer that “Boss” is “my new favorite show.” Maybe she could also mention that to Starz programming execs and give them a nudge in the direction of greenlighting a third season of the show.
TECH GURU GARY ADCOCK, just back from attending the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam, headlines Chicago Creative Pro Users Group (ChiCPUG for short) Wednesday, Sept. 26 meeting at DDB’s offices. The busy tech advisor and writer will address working with 4K on laptops and wrap up the highlights of IBC 2012.
Midwest Media Group’s Brian Plante and Mike Keeney will speak on the ever-advancing state of the digital union. This should be of special interest to editors who’ve been trying to gauge what technologies are best suited for their clients’ needs.
Chicpug is known for its terrific raffle prizes and doesn’t disappoint this month by offering a copy of ProTools for Mac and PC, courtesy of MMG, retail value $700. Starts at 6:15. Members, $5, non-members, $10. Register here.
ACTOR DOUG JAMES, who plays the silent gray-haired assassin in “Boss,” which just gets more tense and exciting with each new episode, along with fellow “Boss” actors will host a finale party of the second season of “Boss,” Oct. 19 at Market restaurant bar, 1113 W. Randolph.
James predicts this will be a bigger blowout than previous parties and his band will again be entertaining the crowd.
Oprah recently mentioned to Kelsey Grammer that “Boss” is “my new favorite show.” Maybe she could also mention that to Starz programming execs to give them a nudge in the direction of greenlighting a third season of the show.
SCC’S BEAUTIFUL NEW BUILDING at 1029 W. Madison that the agency bought last year and meticulously renovated at “a cost of millions of dollars,” according to CEO Tim Condon, is ready for its debut. SCC (Shafer Carter Condon) is hosting a Grand Opening Party Oct. 5 that looks to be truly grand, because the party, with live music, food and drink, will run from 5:30 p.m. “until it ends.”
The space features an in-house video content studio and editing bays, with editors A J Feigl and David Sowa (nickname: “B Roll”), run by executive producer Leroy Koetz, a digital photography set, focus group facilities, conference rooms and client work space.
The three are also musicians and frequently jam on the bandstand in the fourth floor community space, decked out with a full length bar, where the staff hangs out after the workday ends.
ALBERT NADAR’S QUESTAR ENTERTAINMENT, with a library of 3,000-plus titles, is expanding its new digital division to provide a catalog of more than 750 programs to all major digital platforms including iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, and Vudu, and to major cable and satellite networks.
The new division is headed by SVP Ken Campo, who heads Questar’s L.A. office.
Questar programs are distributed to more than 25,000 retail and digital outlets, 300 lifestyle catalogs, 15,000 public libraries and museums, and direct marketing companies with an annual reach of 90 million homes.
JED ENLOW, recently named Of Counsel to the law firm of Leavens, Strand, Glover, Adler, serves as production attorney for NBC Universal’s new Chicago-based “Steve Harvey” TV talk show, handling all onsite legal issues that may arise in the show’s production. Previously, Enlow was a senior attorney for Harpo Productions’ various TV shows, including Oprah and Rosie.
SAG AFTRA EMERGING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES PANEL Oct. 4 on “Voices of the Future, Emerging Technology and You” brings together industry leaders from WB Games, Wiebe Music, Marshall Creative and Music Dealers so far. They will discuss the way technology redefines the way producers and performers interact and these changes affect work opportunities. At Shure, Inc., 5800 W. Touchy; social hour, 6-7 p.m. with appetizers; panel discussion and Q&A 7-9 p.m.
THE PINK OCTOBER BRUNCH & Wardrobe Swap, Saturday, Oct. 13, hosted by Nathalynne McGinnis and Anne Hagerty, will donate all proceeds from the Swap to the continuing crusade to end Breast Cancer.
The two adwomen urge you to clean out your closets and bring cleaned, slightly worn clothing, handbags, shoes, accessories and swap them for items from someone else’s closet. New this year is a silent auction of high-end and designer items. Saturday, Oct. 13 at Daily Planet, 720 N. Franklin, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Everyone’s busy, but don’t be too busy to send your news and notes to ruth@reelchicago.com.
