News

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,...

Day six of the 21st Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival is upon us!

Sliff’s main venues are the the Hi-Pointe Theatre, Tivoli Theatre, Plaza Frontenac Cinema, Webster University’s Winifred Moore Auditorium, Washington University’s Brown Hall Auditorium and the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Il

The entire schedule for the 21st Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival be found Here.

http://cinemastlouis.org/sliff-2012

Here is what will be screening at The 21st Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival today, Tuesday, November 13th

Band Of Sisters

Band Of Sisters plays at 5:00pm at the Tivoli Theatre

nspired by Vatican II (a 1962-65 council of Catholic bishops) and the great social movements of the 1960s and .70s, U.S. nuns left their convents, found their mission with the poor, and grew in their spirituality . often to the chagrin of the Vatican hierarchy. Against this backdrop, .Band...

Shorts Program # 5: Experimental plays as part of the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase Wednesday July 11th at 9:30pm at The Tivoli Theater, 6350 Delmar Blvd.

Spectacles by Tyler DePerro runs 9 minutes is about a struggling actor who gets inspiration for success from a pair of 3D glasses given to him by his grandfather, who is a retired film actor himself. This is a typically polished and ambitious effort from the talented Mr. DePerro, a recent Webster U grad.

Fitting by Larry Ziegelman runs 13 minutes and is about two women who wind up in the same bridal-gown fitting room . one with a bridesmaid.s dress and one with a wedding gown. Well-acted with a twist, but should have played with the Drama or Relationship shorts. The only thing funny about it is that it was directed by a man.

Messed Up Dance Song by Sean Keough & Richard Radmus is described as “Seven characters,...

The annual St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase is a great way to support the many local filmmakers who practice their art in our area. Cinema St. Louis, our city’s non-profit cinema-related event planning group, will present The Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase July 8-12. This is the 12th annual presentation, which serves as the area’s primary venue for films made by local artists. The Showcase screens works that were written, directed, edited, or produced by St. Louis natives or films with strong local ties. The 16 film programs that screen at the Tivoli from July 8-12 serve as the Showcase’s centerpiece. The programs range from full-length fiction features and documentaries to multi-film compilations of fiction and documentary shorts. Many programs include post-screening Q&As with filmmaker. It all ends with a closing-Night Awards Party Thursday July 12th sponsored by Stella Artois from 8 p.m. to midnight at Blueberry Hill‘s Duck Room,...

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...