Direct to Internet
A Palatine-based film company, CNGM Pictures, is at it again.
The same filmmakers that produced "Return to Cuba Road" among several other feature length films, now have a new venue in which to show their work: the Internet.
For the past 18 months, CNGM producers have worked on filming their first broadcast series, but its debut will not be on television. Instead the nine, full-length, half-hour episodes will air directly on the Web, through a free viewing portal.
The mystery series, "Irving Renquist, Ghost Hunter," premieres Wednesday, Halloween, on IrvingRenquist.com.
Fans can watch new episodes every Wednesday, beginning at 12:01 a.m., or visit the Web site after each one airs to see it any time. One week, around Thanksgiving, a special "behind-the-scenes" feature will be released.
Local fans can attend the series launch, or the "Premiere Shindig," taking place from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday at Hotel Indigo, 920 E. Northwest Highway, Palatine.
The special benefit will feature the first three episodes, along with a question and answer session with the cast, an appetizer buffet, silent auction, raffle prizes and a cash bar.
Producing a direct-to-Internet series is cutting edge stuff, but that's what drives the young producers running CNGM Pictures, not making money. At least, not yet.
"For one thing, it's a way to get it seen," says Michael Noens, one of the co-founders of CNGM Pictures. "And we get control of everything."
While they won't make any money off of the Internet series, they plan to sell DVDs of the entire series once all nine episodes run, to help cover production costs. And, they say, the Web audience helps broaden their fan base.
Dave Grelck of Schaumburg wrote the Irving Renquist series. The Fremd High School graduate wrote CNGM's first movie screenplay, "The Leslie Situation," and company officials turned to him to write their first series.
To do it, he returned to a novel he had written about Renquist, who is a discouraged ghost hunter ready to give up the business until he comes across a haunting when he meets a girl who lives on Cuba Road.
As the layers get pulled back, Grelck says, viewers learn about a mother who has disappeared, a house that burned down and a lost child -- all elements that get wrapped up by the end of the run.
Grelck says the series and its title character is a cross between "Fletch," in the Gregory McDonald book series, and a "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" kind of paranormal setting.
"(Irving Renquist) is one of my favorite characters," says Grelck, who has just finished writing a feature length film. "He's typical of that mid- to late-20s kind of malaise, who has this desire to do something important but lacks the drive to do it."
Noens, another Fremd graduate, who serves as executive producer of the series with Grelck, says Renquist's character is just wacky enough to hook viewers.
"He so unconventional in the beginning," Noens says, "but he hooks you."
The four principal cast members all honed their acting skills at Illinois State University in Normal, including Brian Wohl, a Barrington High School graduate who plays the title role.
Surrounding him are Erica Lynn Schmeck of Roselle, Marc Muszynski of Palatine and Angela Wascher of Barrington, along with a guest cast list of 15 Northwest suburban actors.
The new series helps CNGM Pictures celebrate its fifth anniversary. What started with Fremd High School juniors, now is a solid group dedicated to producing independent cinema through the collaboration of Chicago-area student filmmakers and young professionals.
If you go
What: Premiere of the new Web series developed by CNGM Pictures, "Irving Renquist, Ghost Hunter," featuring the first three episodes, along with a Q & A with the cast, appetizer buffet, silent auction, raffle and cash bar
When: 3:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Hotel Indigo, 920 E. Northwest Highway, Palatine
Cost: $30 for adults and $15 for students
Viewing the series
What: "Irving Renquist, Ghost Hunter," a nine-episode series about a wacky ghost hunter ready to give up when he finds a new challenge
When: Beginning at 12:01 a.m. every Wednesday, starting with its debut on Halloween
How: Visit irvingrenquist.com, click on "viewing portal." Check it out now to see the series trailer.