Scoop: FOOD film is good for C-U
A scant two weeks ago, during the New Art Film Festival “talkback” edition of the monthly Champaign Movie Makers meetings, C-U Blogfidential caught first wind of a production and potential game changer in Champaign, Urbana, and the (immediate) cities beyond if all goes well. Brett Hays of Shatterglass Studios confirmed the project would be “shooting in town this summer” while speaking about his experiences on the set of NAFF feature film selection THE DRUNK. We now have additional information about it that will be of immediate interest to acting talent wanting to see their faces and names up on the big screen.
Various local media including Smile Politely and The News-Gazette have already reported a call for “day players, featured extras, and extras” to appear in the independent feature film production FOOD developed by filmmaker Daryl Wein (LOLA VERSUS) and actress Zoe Lister-Jones (SALT). The plot crunch states that FOOD “follows a young Midwestern mother [to be played by Lister-Jones] who goes on a journey to uncover the cause of her son’s mysterious illness. Interwoven are the stories of a powerful CEO struggling with his son’s disorder, an organic farmer fighting to save his farm, and two scientists on the brink of a major discovery.”
The project is scheduled to shoot in the Champaign-Urbana area for four weeks straight beginning in late May. Talent is encouraged to apply for the various minor roles before the end of tomorrow, Friday, May 2, by sending contact information and a head shot or clear photo of themselves to foodthemovie [at] gmail [dot] com. The production also invites homeowners who might like their house featured in the film to contact them through the same e-mail. It looks as if Shatterglass is assuming a coordination and/or co-production role on FOOD similar to those on THE DRUNK, as general inquiries should be directed to either Hays at (217) 416-0494 and brett [at] shatterglassstudios [dot] com or Alex Hughes at (773) 320-1049 and alexhughes312 [at] gmail [dot] com.
Lister-Jones and Wein received solid press leading up to the theatrical releases of their prior feature films due to creative self-promotion and how their unconventional, real-life courtship inspired the story lines. In 2012, Fox Searchlight Pictures distributed the aforementioned LOLA VERSUS, a modern rom-com featuring indie “it girl” Greta Gerwig as the title character. In 2010, IFC Films and MPI Home Video gave a modest berth to the lower-budgeted BREAKING UPWARDS. For both, Wein directed and Lister-Jones acted in a lead role while they co-wrote LOLA as well as co-wrote and co-produced UPWARDS with Peter Duchan. Earlier in April, Lister-Jones spoke briefly about FOOD with a podcast hosted by Pret-a-Reporter, a “celebrity style” offshoot of The Hollywood Reporter, during which she called the new film a “departure” for them in subject and tone.
Each has also made entertainment news recently due to other ventures. Following her network gig opposite comedienne Whitney Cummings on WHITNEY for two years, Lister-Jones is a series regular on FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES, a new CBS-TV sitcom airing Monday nights and co-starring James Van Der Beek (DAWSON’S CREEK), Kevin Connolly (ENTOURAGE), and Brooklyn Decker (WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING). Also, a lengthy interview with Wein posted to IndieWIRE last week goes over his experience working for VICE and AT&T on brand-sponsored content, in this case the short film LET’S GET DIGITAL with Lister-Jones, Ryan Hansen (VERONICA MARS), and Jon Heder (NAPOLEON DYNAMITE).
As usual, CUBlog will pass along major news as FOOD unfolds and we’d like to drop a few observations to close. We’re making the educated guess that a Shatterglass or possibly Roger Ebert’s Film Festival connection was instrumental in Wein and Lister-Jones choosing to shoot here. We hope that after putting their time and hard work in aiding other Midwest productions, from FOOD and THE DRUNK to THE ORIGINS OF WIT & HUMOR, SEARCHING FOR VENICE, and LEADING LADIES, Shatterglass will finally establish their own in-house cinematic fare. We also hope FOOD is a success and forges the path for other out-of-town producers to find worth in centering their location shooting in our area, whether or not agricultural concerns are present in their screenplays. Do good, people of Champaign-Urbana!
~ Jason Pankoke
LOLA VERSUS artwork © Fox Searchlight Pictures