FEATURE/TV DIRECTOR ROGER KUMBLE, in town to direct an episode of the MTV series “Underemployed,” is the featured speaker June 5 at Midwest Independent Film Festival’s Producer’s Panel at 6 p.m., preceeding the 7:30 screening of Jack Newell’s first feature, “Close Quarters”
An NU grad, Kumble will share insights on his career, today’s film industry challenges and “Underemployed. His TV credits include “Entourage,” “Pretty Little Liars” and “Ringers.” He made his 1999 feature debut with “Cruel Intentions,” starring Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, followed by features “The Sweetest Thing” and “Just Friends.”
All this and more at Landmark Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark.
HERE’S AN EXCELLENT CHANCE to pick up needed audio equipment from vendors throughout the Midwest Saturday, June 9 when they assemble to showcase their wares at Experimental Sound Studio 5th annual Garage Sale at 5926 N. Ravenswood, from noon to 6 p.m.
Vendors include GetLoFi, Unatronics, Roth Mobot, Hack Me Electronics, CMKT4, Delptronics, Tim Kaiser, Steven Buck, Pelzwik, Mark Hoffman and None Electronics.
The ESS folks recommend arriving early in the day, as many of the more coveted and unique items are apt to sell out quickly.
MPI’S WRITER/DIRECTOR BOB HERCULES is justifiably proud that PBS bought his dance doc, “Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance,” for airing nationally on Friday, Dec. 28. “Joffrey” also was chosen as one of the films that will be featured in PBS Fall Arts Festival.
The project began in 2008 and shot through 2010 and edited until mid-2011. Chicago native, actor Mandy Patinkin narrated; MPG partner Keith Walker and Michael Swanson shot; Melissa Stern edited.
THE ANTIQUE FILM GROUP, as filmmakers Haskell Wexler, Andy Davis and Mike Gray call themselves, along with local volunteer shooters, shot more than 90-minutes worth of very excellent footage during the May 20-21 NATO Summit protests.
The AFG (aka Haskell’s Rascals) are still determining what form the footage will take. Nothing antique about their mode of shooting: They all used digital capture.
WE HEAR … Beleaguered Draftfcb, reeling from the recent loss of MillerCoors and S.C. Johnson business, has quietly begun layoffs estimated at 5% throughout the agency.
EQUIPMENT RENTAL HOUSE PROGEAR, along with Phase One and Profoto, hosts the Phase One IQ Conference June 12, at Harrington College of Design. The all-day,9 to 5 conference offers presentations, demos and seminars with leading photographers. The day includes an Introduction Session with leading photographers, a Round Table/Open Forum, Phase One’s Lau Norgaard from Denmark on special features and two seminars by Wonderful Machine’s Bill Cramer.
Tickets are $39 and may be purchased here.
JUSTICE WAS SERVED when an $18.5 million settlement with Paramount and DreamWorks was awarded to Gabriela Cedillo, the extra who was seriously injured in an accident during a stunt scene for “Transformers 3” that shot here in September, 2010.
Cedilla, 26, suffered significant brain impairment and has had several surgeries to her skull and brain. Her older brother, Rudy Romo, said it’s unclear whether or not she will be able to ever live a normal life.
FIRE ALARM! PLEASE NOTE! An accidental fire and subsequent smoke damage to my home/office last week has me relocated me to another location until my apartment has been restored. To reach me, please call my cell, 312/523-4622.
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