Chicagoist: Chicago Film Grind: Past, Present, Future

been hecht

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:18:12 -0600

the comments so far remind me of when i was watching oprah last week when she had the cast of 'Hairspray' on. she asked john travolta about baltimore and the alleged baltimore accent he has in the movie and she added that 'the people of baltimore' must have shown them all love when they filmed there, to which he replied, 'we filmed in toronto.'

Red Head McBain

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:20:52 -0600

Essanay can still be found in Chicago on Goose Island just off of Division and Northbranch, it has very nice staging facilities as well as an outstanding selection of lighting and crane equipment for rent. Chicago Senic Studio is still in business as are the fabulous facilites at WTTW and WGN. All available for rent. There are also any number of smaller "boutique" studios such as Space Age Studios as well as facilites at Filmworkers Club, Film and Tape Works and many, many other locations. Of course these are all production studios, for Post you should check out Optimus, Cutters, Swell or any of the other 30 or so boutiques around town... It's not for lack of talent or facilities that we are subject to run-away production. While the State of Illinois' tax incentive program has done a lot to revitalize the production community, the fact of the matter is that production in the US and especially Chicago is considerable more expensive than in other areas due to fuel costs, taxes on facilities and rental equipment as well as many other influences. Not to mention a small but vocal group of residents and buisiness people who are vehemently opposed to entertainment production on any level, anywhere in the area.

guest

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 11:03:21 -0600

exactly...then toronto will start grabbing movies set in chicago. Toronto is already a popular stand-in for chicago.

guest

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:20:32 -0600

i agree about the studio thing. toronto just opened a giant studio recently.

guest

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:43:30 -0600

Chicago needs a good post-production studio.