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Charming indie film The Origins of Wit and Humor, which screened earlier this month at the Hill Country Film Festival, appears at first to be a romantic comedy, but ultimately leans heavily on the comedy, as hinted in the title. In fact, you could argue that this movie is a romantic comedy in which humor portrays the femme fatale the protagonist pursues -- the storyline chronicles the repercussions of his entanglements with this demanding love interest.

Les (Joe Hursley) is a comedy writer who's completely devastated when seemingly out of nowhere, his longtime girlfriend moves out. He can't write, he can't function, he has no idea how to approach women, despite encouragement from his best friend Pops (Steve Lemme). On a whim, Les sends off a mail-order form from the back of an old book (with the same title as the film) and receives a "potion" that will allegedly make...

Chicago – Every year, HollywoodChicago.com explores the state of the Chicago film actor through Grace McPhillips and Steve Scholz, the Board President and Vice President of the Chicago Acting in Film Meetup Group Nfp (Cafm). The group’s 2014 “Holiday Hurrah” will be at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago on Monday, December 15th.

Cafm is a group that was founded by Grace McPhillips in 2007, and has grown to encompass the actors that work in features, independent films and television in the Windy City. With seminars, programs, networking and connections created for actors with agencies and productions, Cafm has become a vital link in the Chicago acting community. The December 15th Holiday Hurrah is also open to the public.

The Cafm ‘Holiday Hurrah’ is December 15th, 2014

Photo credit: Ben Gonzalez of Gopho Collective for the Cafm

Also, in an exclusive announcement to HollywoodChicago.com, Grace McPhillips and Steve Scholz are announcing that...

Previous | Image 1 of 8 | NextColin Farrell of ‘Miss Julie’ at the 50th Chicago International Film Festival.

Chicago – The 2014 edition of the 50th Chicago International Film Festival kicked off on October 9th with a spectacular presentation of “Miss Julie,” directed by the legendary Liv Ullmann, featuring Colin Ferrell and Jessica Chastain. The following evening was the Black Perspective Gala, at which the spotlight was on “Beyond the Lights,” starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood.

Photographer Joe Arce was on the scene at both events, and shot these portraits from the red carpet. Click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through the slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All images © Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com.

CIFF1: Colin Farrell of ‘Miss Julie’ at the 50th Chicago International Film Festival. CIFF2: Opening Night with Director Liv Ullmann of ‘Miss Julie.’ CIFF3: Kathleen Turner,...

Chicago – Locally produced TV shows are old school, but Wgn-tv in Chicago has had a long tradition of that type of show and hosts. Tapping into the legacy of Ray Rayner and Bozo the Clown, local programming is making a comeback, and one of the newest Wgn-tv hosts is Ryan Salzwedel of “Weekend Workbench.”

“Weekend Workbench” is a simple concept – break down common household repairs that on the surface are complex (think installing a ceiling fan) into simple steps that anyone can follow. Ryan Salzwedel represents that “anyone” on the show, as he demonstrates with experts what tools are necessary and how to tackle the chore with plain language.

Keeping the World Safe for Do-It-Yourself: Host Ryan Salzwedel of Wgn-tv’s ‘Weekend Workbench’

Photo credit: Wgn-tv

Salzwedel has injected his slightly skewed personality into the show, and highlights include his blooper reels, which he posts on the YouTube. He was born in Grand Rapids,...

Chicago – One of the Windy City’s best networking resources for local film actors is the Chicago Acting Film Meetup (Cfam) group, and they are having their annual end-of-year “Holiday Hurrah” event at the Hard Rock Hotel on Monday, December 16th, 2013. Organizing that event are two board officers of Cafm, actors Grace McPhillips (President) and Steve Scholz (Vice President).

Cafm was founded by Grace McPhillips six years ago, and has expanded every year since. The membership has a growing and diverse range of employment opportunities in the Windy City, including TV shows (“Chicago Fire” and “Chicago Pd”), commercials, films (“Divergent”) and web series in production. Cafm has established itself as a vital co-mentoring and educational group for working actors in Chicago, with monthly meetings and seminars, and the upcoming holiday event is open to the public.

Grace McPhillips in the New Film, ‘The Other One’

Photo credit: Sterling Rock Productions

The board officers of Cafm,...

Chicago – The pre-production period, right before a film is about to go into principle photography, is one of the most important steps in the overall creation of a new work of cinema. On Monday, April 15th, Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com will moderate a screenplay reading of “The Other One,” a new film written and directed by Joe Steiff, and featuring Grace McPhillips in a lead role. The reading will take place at the Uncommon Ground, 1401 W. Devon, Chicago, beginning at 6:30pm.

This is the final step on the road to production – filming begins for “The Other One” on April 18th in Galena, Ill. This is crucial for the writer/director in hearing last minute changes read out loud, as well as the actors getting final rehearsals before going in front of the lens. Joe Steiff began this project as a short film, and in collaboration with Grace McPhillips...

Chicago – One of the most anticipated gatherings in the local acting community is the annual Chicago Acting in Film Meetup (Cafm) Holiday Party, and this year’s bash is moving to downtown digs at the Hard Rock Hotel on December 10th, 2012. The co-directors of Cafm are actors Grace McPhillips and Steve Scholz.

Cafm was founded by Grace McPhillips five years ago, and has expanded every year since. The membership has a growing and diverse range of employment opportunities in the Windy City, including TV shows (“Chicago Fire”), commercials, films and web series in production. Cafm has established itself as a vital co-mentoring and educational group for working actors in Chicago, with monthly meetings and seminars. Their upcoming holiday event is open to the public, as Grace noted, “Everyone’s invited!”

Grace McPhillips (left) and Calliope Porter in the Short Film ‘Fitting’

Photo credit: GraceMcPhillips.com

The co-directors of Cafm, McPhillips and Steve Scholz,...

Chicago – One of the best organizations in the local arts community is Women in Film Chicago. Known for their networking events, they will be highlighting three filmmakers on Monday, March 19th. The “Emerging Talent: Females in Focus” program features the short films “Fitting” (Grace McPhillips), “Off Into Space” (Anna Jung) and “Wednesday’s Child,” produced by Mary Kay Cook.

L to R: Mary Kay Cook (‘Wednesday’s Child’), Grace McPhillips (‘Fitting’) and Anna Jung (‘Off Into Space’)

Photo credit: Heather Stumpf Popio

“Wednesday’s Child” is a compelling narrative piece, an example of extreme parenting taken too far. “Fitting” is a slice-of-life, set in a bridal shop during the ritualistic tailoring of the gown and bridesmaid’s dresses. The documentary short is “Off Into Space,” a story about a Chicagoan, his 15 minutes of fame and the aftermath. The program (information below) will be at the Cultural Center in downtown Chicago.

Chicago – Grace McPhillips is the epitome of the Chicago actor – talented, resilient and honest. She is also an actors community activist in the Windy City, as the founder of “Chicago Acting in Film Meetup” and is an official on the council of the Screen Actors Guild in Chicago. She will host the upcoming Networking Night & Holiday Fundraiser on December 12th.

Grace McPhillips was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, and graduated from Elon University with a degree in Music Theater. She moved to Chicago shortly thereafter, to pursue acting and the independent film scene here. She works as a SAG and AFTRA actress in film, TV, voiceovers and the stage, and has danced in a production of “Salome” with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She has recently completed the short film “Fitting,” which she also co-wrote and produced.

Grace McPhillips (left) and Calliope Porter in ‘Fitting’

Photo credit: GraceMcPhillips.com...

Chicago – Chicago is naturally a community town, based on their neighborhoods and Midwestern roots. So it was natural that Grace McPhillips, an actor in the Windy City, would found a community group for actors. The Chicago Acting in Film Meetup Group is having their annual Holiday Fundraiser and Networking Night on December 13th.

McPhillips founded the organization as a way to connect with other working actors in Chicago film, in a town not particularly known for it’s culture of acting beyond the theater. She desired to create a haven for an exchange of ideas, information and support for its membership, now up to over 200 people.

Grace McPhillips on the set of the film ‘Jesse James’

Photo credit: Grace McPhillips

HollywoodChicago.com caught up to Ms. McPhillips on the week before one of the group’s biggest events, the annual Holiday Fundraiser and Networking Night. The event will take place...