While the Illinois Film Office wonders what’s next ? it looks like “Barber Shop 2” will be the only major studio film to shoot here this year ? the Chicago Film Office is going gangbusters working with out-of-town spotmakers. Some of the activity around town:
Joe Pytka is the biggest news on the spot front, and we welcome the A-plus director to add some luster to our film city image. While the project is super hush-hush, ReelScene has learned that the Great One, famous for sports celebrities, will film our sluggin’ Cubs and Sox stars for client Pepsi. The Pytka alert is set for around Sept. 19.
Ice Cube extended his Chicago stay, after wrapping “Barber Shop 2” a few days earlier than expected, to rap in a music music for @Radical Media of L.A. Location scout Mark Mamalakis found downtown locations that included Bank One Plaza, interiors at the Italian Village and Nick’s Fish Market and the alley behind the Schubert.
Essanay’s stage was used for the above-mentioned music video and the spot noted below. They’re also supplying lighting equipment for a weeklong May Co. shoot by Green Dot Films of Santa Monica.
Bears linebacker Brian Erlacher plays for McDonald’s in a spot by Believe Media for DDB. Erlacher so craves a Big Mac that he dashes out of the stadium and over to LaSalle and Jackson, and Halsted and Monroe in his quest for a McDonald’s. Lance Mulvaney was the location scout.
Other action: Location scout Brett Schiffman found 13 ideal locations for Porland, Ore.-based Limbo Films to film SBC commercials … And Biscuit Filmworks of L.A. found the ideal building at 35 E. Wacker ideal for a Meyers Supermarkets’ commercial.
