Leading Off
October 27, 2010 by Andrew Schneider
The Midwest Independent Film Festival’s second annual Advertising Community Shorts Night was a huge success and excitement is high for next year. Get cracking on your non-work work agency types. Only nine months to the next submission deadline and that will go by fast.
Since the last magazine, we’ve launched a whole new website and we’re pleased by the reception. Keep those press releases and story tips coming in.
In this issue, our cover story leads us around the country to some shops in out-of-the-way spots. We visit Atlanta, Minneapolis and Detroit. I suppose it’s all an issue of perspective for what’s viewed as “off the beaten path” and it’s worth mentioning that these are great places with talented people at work. They’re just not New York or LA. The story begins on page 16.
We interview several Chicago-based editors on what keeps them cutting. Kate Wrobel from Optimus, Bob Ackerman from the Colonie and Graham Metzger from Hootenanny all give us a glimpse into their inner thoughts. It’s not too frightening and begins on page 19.
We also dive into the strategy behind multiple locations for post houses by examining Optimus and Red Car. Don’t look now, it seems like they could expand still further. The story’s on page 8.
Media Process Group is turning 25 this year and we’ve got that story on page 6. We here at Screen congratulate them on their milestone.
Speaking of 25th anniversaries, Golan Productions and Atomic Imaging is celebrating the same anniversary for their Halloween Party. This year, “Grave-atar” 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at the studio, 1501 N. Magnolia Ave. in Chicago. Tickets start at $75 and are available online through links at atomicimaging.com.
Kevin Jeong offers us another installment on this year’s feature on budding filmmakers, Reel Lives. That starts on page 12.
Dan Patton has a bevy of offers this issue, from his usual “Revolving Door” to a feature on composers. Those are on pages 15 and 14 respectively.
Don’t miss Mike McNamara’s latest “Call Sheet.” It’s on page 30.
Oh, and the new website has a column called the “Party Page.” I met with a couple of people in recent weeks who didn’t think Chicago had enough parties going on for a web page. I’m pleased to say, we do. And it’s not exclusive. I hope to see some party photos from some of our other communities in the near future. Regardless, we’ve decided to include some highlights in a collage each issue. Screen’s new “Party Page” is on 31.
Enjoy, AS