Film opportunites in Chicago? (Atlanta: credit, how much, transfer to)

[PurpleAndWhite]

What type of opportunies are in Chicago for aspiring actors (for either film or television) Thanks!

[PurpleAndWhite]

*just to clarify, I've heard that a lot of film/TV stuff is cast in LA, but I was curious about how much casting happened in Chicago.

[Kevin J]

I can't give you hard figures, but I can say that not much film and TV work is cast in Chicago. My source for this is a good friend who is one of the small number of talent agents based in Chicago. The biggest variable is what is actually being filmed here from year to year. A handful of major Hollywood movies film here every year. In the past few years, a few TV pilots per year have been filmed here as well. To my knowledge, the only current continuing non-fiction TV program filming here regularly is "Boss" from the the Starz network. All of these productions do primary casting in LA, but cast small parts in Chicago.

Some casting is done in Chicago for projects being filmed elsewhere. The biggest example is television pilots shot in LA. Every year, the TV networks order pilot episodes of far more shows than will ever wind up on the air. As a result, the studios cast a wider net to cast these than they do for other productions.

Overall, the vast majority of opportunities for aspiring actors in Chicago are in theater and improv/sketch comedy. Actors here get great training and credits in venues ranging from storefront theaters that seat 30 people all the way up to large theater companies with national reputations like Steppenwolf and The Goodman. For the talented and/or lucky, the experience gets you an agent, here, in LA, or New York to help you get to the next level, i.e. auditions for other theater work nationally, and film and TV work. But Chicago is not a place to come if your goal is to bypass theater as an entry level toward the ultimate goal of working in film and TV.

[rca215]

What type of opportunities?

..fairly frequent flights to LA and New York...

[rparz]

Production Guide

[Dream Chaser]

They are about to film two series in Chicago."Chicago Fire" produced by Dick Wolf seems to have allot of potential.Dick Wolf shows are realistic they always picking up extra from the area to give the series its vibe.The second is that "Mob Doctors" on Fox.I hear they about to film a movie in the city this summer.

[eevee]

There really isn't that much out here and what little there is, I think they may be transferring people who've already gotten a start in their career to Chicago vs. hiring inexperienced people in Chicago (unless, of course, you just want to be an extra on set). You most likely will have to go out to LA to jump start a career and keep your ears open for opportunities in other locations that you can transfer to. I know that I personally may be heading back out to LA to do TV work since that's there the assistant jobs are (I get a near weekly list of job leads and while a few lists jobs/internships in NYC and Atlanta, I've yet to see something for Chicago).