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Downers Grove songwriter nominated for two Grammy AwardsFeb 5, 2013 12:00 AM
More than 25,000 people have sent emails and letters to Matthew West, sharing their life stories with him. The singer/songwriter from Downers Grove has sifted through nearly all of them. The stories that moved him he turned into songs. West's latest album, "Into the Light," is a nominee for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at the Grammy Awards. "It's about more than just music at this point. And it should be that way, anyway," he said.
Prospect grad creates 'Zero Dark Thirty' sound effects Jan 29, 2013 12:00 AM
Prospect High graduate Alex Ullrich works as a Foley artist in Hollywood. He's the guy who supplies the sounds you hear in movies, cartoons and TV shows. Every sound he adds is in postproduction. "You start with a scene that's completely blank, sound-wise. By the time we're done with it, it's completely alive!" he said.
Sean Hayes, suburban pal team up for TV success Jan 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Glenbard West High School (Glen Ellyn) graduate Sean Hayes joined Conant High School (Hoffman Estates) graduate Todd Milliner in 2004 to create the L.A. company Hazy Mills Productions that now boasts three TV shows. “I take working in Hollywood on television as a blessing,” Milliner said.
From Chucky to 'Vampire Diaries,' Schaumburg native makes living behind the cameraJan 15, 2013 12:00 AM
At 16, Schaumburg High grad and Hollywood cinematographer Paolo Cascio found his life's calling at Alcatraz. He had visited the prison with his parents. A movie crew was shooting. When Cascio spotted the Panavision camera, "It hit me like a bolt of lightning," he said. "It's like when you see somebody and it's love at first sight. I knew in that moment that this was what I was meant to do."
In Hollywood, suburban strengths shine through Jan 1, 2013 12:00 AM
Even before we started our “From Suburbs to Showbiz” news team, we knew people from the suburbs were something special. We quickly found out how right we were. Every time we talked to local people who've made it big in show business, we heard testimonials about the strengths and qualities that come from growing up around here. It's not that they're any better than the others. It's just that ... well. hey, let's let our interviewees speak for themselves. Comedian, actor, and “Windy City Live” contributor Mark DeCarlo, a Downers Grove native:
Mannheim Steamroller puts Lombard native center stage for Christmas concerts Dec 25, 2012 12:00 AM
Becky Kia doesn't listen to Christmas music at this time of year. That's because her job is to play Christmas music, night after night. Kia, a native of Lombard, is the lead violinist of Mannheim Steamroller, a popular, multiplatinum- selling Christmas group whose pumped-up orchestral music is all over the radio dial during the holidays.
Elmhurst's Celozzi driven to Hollywood successDec 18, 2012 12:00 AM
Nick Celozzi II started out as the son of Nick Celozzi, famous for building the successful Celozzi-Ettleson Chevrolet dealership in Elmhurst. Today, young Celozzi has become an established filmmaker who produces, acts, directs, writes, and whatever he needs to do to create movies and TV shows. His new documentary on his great uncle, mob boss Sam Giancana, might come to Chicago in February.
Elk Grove grad an opera superstar? Go FigaroDec 11, 2012 12:00 AM
Opera soprano Ailyn Perez remembers the pivotal moment in second grade that music — and a teacher named Mr. Jacobs — rocked her world at Salt Creek Elementary School in Elk Grove Village. She didn't know it at the time, but the seemingly innocuous moment transformed Perez's life. "I wasn't the obvious candidate to be an opera singer," she said.
Schaumburg native rocks the violin in Trans-Siberian OrchestraDec 4, 2012 12:00 AM
When Roddy Chong plays violin, he's doesn't sit on a chair. He leaps into the air, runs across the stage, lunges forward, and flips his hair like he's playing in an '80s rock band. Chong, a Schaumburg native, considered one of the world's premier violinists, is pure energy onstage — a prerequisite for his job as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's rock violinist.
Hinsdale native composes music for movies, TV, video gamesNov 27, 2012 12:00 AM
While other kids his age watched “Sesame Street,” Tyler Bates jammed in his Hinsdale living room to Sly and the Family Stone. The cool suburban preschooler with a knack for music grew up to be one of Hollywood’s most sought-after music composers. Bates, 47, composes original songs for movies, television shows and videos games. Some of his highest profile work includes the movies “Watchmen,” the “Halloween” remake, “Dawn of the Dead” and “Killer Joe.”
Long Grove man produces Fox News Channel's morning show Nov 20, 2012 12:00 AM
It's Brian Tully's job to stay on top of everything that's happening in the world, 24/7. Tully, who grew up in Long Grove, is a head writer and producer for "Fox & Friends," the Fox News Channel's morning news show. It's a high-pressure, life-consuming job, but one he loves. "One day, I'm going to need a vacation," he said.
Sugar Grove native stars in Amber Alert thrillerNov 13, 2012 12:00 AM
If you were driving on the tollway and saw the car named in an Amber Alert, you'd call 911. But then what would you do? Just drive away? That's the premise of the new Paranormal-styled thriller, "Amber Alert," a movie co-starring Sugar Grove native Summer Bellessa. "We just went out to make a realistic film that would happen with real people, with a problem that could happen," said Bellessa, 32, an alumna of Kaneland High School.
Hollywood no 'American Horror Story' for Naperville native Nov 6, 2012 12:00 AM
You'd think an actor with a macho name like "Matt Armstrong" would be in the Hollywood trenches, fighting to become the next Bruce Willis. Nope. "I have a 10-year-old son and he takes up a lot of time," the Naperville native said. Armstrong plays a cop in Wednesday's "American Horror Story" episode.
From 'Svengoolie' to Showtime: A filmmaker's journeyOct 30, 2012 12:00 AM
Since he left Arlington Heights, Adam Rifkin has written screenplays for big-budget studio movies such as "Mouse Hunt," "Underdog" and "Small Soldiers." He has directed an eclectic group of films including "The Dark Backward," the pop ditty "Detroit Rock City" and exploitative "The Invisible Maniac." Thursday, Rifkin unveils his new project, an edgy Showtime series called "Reality Show."
Suburban native bears down in ‘Ted,’ ‘Veep’ Oct 23, 2012 12:00 AM
Every week, a group of Hollywood’s top comedy actors and writers talk about one of their favorite subjects: the Chicago Bears. The conversations then become the "“Bear Down Podcast,” hosted by “The Hangover” actor and comedian Matt Walsh of Darien, “Old School” screenwriter Scot Armstrong of Wheaton, and other popular comics with Chicago ties. “I looked around for some Bears podcasts, and there weren’t any good ones. So I thought, let’s do one and make it funny,” said Walsh, 48.
Wheaton's Jim Belushi: Actor, icon, pizza diplomatOct 16, 2012 12:00 AM
Wheaton native Jim Belushi, star of many TV shows, movies and voice-overs is also a musician and Chicago icon, although he admitted that being a Chicago icon is a bit embarrassing. After all, he grew up the son of Albanian parents. But, "It means good seats at the Bears games," Belushi said. "It means good seats at Wrigley Field."
Stevenson graduates have become horror heroes Oct 9, 2012 12:00 AM
Stevenson High School graduates Brad Miska, Tom Owen and Zak Zeman are the men behind the new horror flick "V/H/S," which opened in theaters Friday. The trio also created one of the world's most popular horror websites, blood-disgusting.com. "It’s definitely made with horror fans in mind. There’s a deconstructive nature to it," Zeman said.
Hersey grad a super natural at producing TV shows Oct 2, 2012 12:00 AM
Hersey High School graduate Jim Michaels became a popular guy at Universal Studios where he supplied computer graphics to TV shows "Amazing Stories," "Miami Vice" and "Knight Rider." Then one day, "I noticed that producers drove much nicer cars than I did." Now he produces the popular TV series "Supernatural."
‘Chicago Fire’ role meaningful to Naperville actorSep 25, 2012 12:00 AM
He's not the kind of celebrity that TMZ follows around, or winds up on magazine covers. David Eigenberg says he's just a regular guy — something that might have helped the Naperville native land a co-starring role in the new series, "Chicago Fire." "We're renting an apartment in Bucktown, and when I'm at the park with my son, people will come up to me and say, You know, you look a lot like that guy from Sex and the City.'"
Fremd grad partners with Dirty Harry for directorial debut Sep 18, 2012 12:00 AM
Fremd High School grad Robert Lorenz makes his directorial debut with Clint Eastwood's "Trouble With the Curve" opening Friday. "I used to see movies at the Music Box Theatre and the Biograph in Chicago," the Rolling Meadows native said. "I lived at the Woodfield Mall. They had these big, giant theaters, at least they felt big and giant to me... I would go there all the time with friends."