Stories

How to Produce and not be an Asshole…

Producing requires some imagination. We needed to shoot in an opera house. Can't afford Lincoln Center. How about Rev. Ike's former movie palace church in Harlem. The Rev makes a lot of location fees for his church because he kept a lot of the old theater, including the lobby almost intact.

Producing requires some imagination. We needed to shoot in an opera house. Can’t afford Lincoln Center. How about Rev. Ike’s former movie palace church in Harlem. The Rev makes a lot of location fees for his church because he kept a lot of the old theater, including the lobby almost intact.

‘Across America, assholes abound’

Wm.C. Roman 1971

‘Especially in show business…’

John L., 2015

Recently, I heard a fellow DGA brother tell film students a great insight into our business.  When he was a young 2nd Assistant Director he was talking with his 1st AD about another AD they would hire for the production staff. The 1st made it clear who they should hire—but noted– they are not the best person available for the job, they are the best person for the job who can work well with us. Continue reading “How to Produce and not be an Asshole…” →

Hit the Ground Running in Chicago…

Shooting on the rooftops of Chicago

Above, the crew prepares to shoot on a Chicago rooftop with that fabulous skyline.

At the Director’s Elbow series continues. 

Part 2–1981

Working on the TV series Chicago Story was a complete eye opener for me. Now I would be prepping with Directors, and my 1st AD on an actual TV series script. The crew was huge. 150 people or more. And because of the airdate schedule, there will be 2 crews shooting simultaneously.  The AD’s of both crews must share locations, and actors over an 11 day schedule for each episode. Meaning lots of coordination for AD’s.  Unusual for TV, this would be a 90 minute show of Doctors, Lawyers and Cops working and living in Chicago.

The cast was something spectacular—Dennis Franz, John Mahoney, Craig T. Nelson, Kris Tabori to name a few. John Malkovich is a day player in this crowd. Seriously. Kim and I (Yup. Got her to Chicago. Another story for another day…)  were going to local theater and seeing Steppenwolf shows in a storefront on benches. Joe Morton’s daughter, Amy Morton is well on her way to becoming an amazing theater actress. The 2 Tony nominations are yet to come, but by then she was in a little theater group we used to go see that included some guys named Gary Cole and Billy Peterson. They’re pretty good too. The town was exploding with acting talent. Continue reading “Hit the Ground Running in Chicago…” →

Yes, We are on a Frozen Lake and No, We’re not Happy about it…

Yes, We are on a Frozen Lake and No, We're not Happy about it...

On the ice just before nightfall, still high and dry…
That’s Alicia Accardo, script supervisor and Art Seidel, our lovely UPM, with Director Vern Gillum, DP Robert Hudecek and me. Totally forgot who the guy on the left was.

When you shoot in Chicago winters, you do have to accept that you will be shooting outside and you will be cold. But being Chicago, even stranger things can happen when you are shooting on a frozen lake. And as we discovered on the Untouchables TV series, it usually did…

So, in the middle of winter we get a script for an episode that we might actually be able to accomplish (not always the case–see below). The story includes a meeting at the Canadian border on a frozen lake of the gangsters and bootleggers. They’ll pull up in cars, meet and get  interrupted by the arrival of the Untouchables and shoot it out. Continue reading “Yes, We are on a Frozen Lake and No, We’re not Happy about it…” →

So long Chicago, hello LA

House 51, Report! from Chicago Fire

In the explosion pic from the final scene of last season’s Chicago Fire finale, you can tell it’s Boden’s stunt double.  It captured the moment of the 4th floor blowing out just before the whole front blows out and envelopes Chief Kenny.  John Milinac and the Special Effects team had set up crossing mortars loaded with dust and debris.  In the heart of the cross, Chief Kenny is able to walk directly into the explosion under the strict supervision of the Stunt Coordinator Rick LeFevour. Pretty effective and scary.  Boden is left watching the horrible sight.

No longer Producing Chicago Fire, now I’m just a fan.  Very curious to see what the new season will bring – hearing great things from Chicago.  Pretty tall order for Wolf, Olmstead, Haas and Brandt. 44 hours of TV over the 2014/15 season for 2 shows, CF and Chicago PD. Continue reading “So long Chicago, hello LA” →