Extras Wanted For Political Thriller Shooting In Evanston

EVANSTON, IL — The local independent film and TV production company CorradoMooncoin has begun filming a feature-length film in Evanston Monday. The film is called "The Pages" and its filmmakers are looking for extras for the shoot, which will last through the end of July at various locations around the city, Mayor Steve Hagerty announced Wednesday.

"Movie productions are a vital part of our economic growth," Hagerty said. "'The Pages' will offer a terrific opportunity to showcase our vibrant community, unique neighborhoods and the citizens of Evanston."

The production is expected to bring a minimum of $300,000 into the city of Evanston during the summer, according to City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz.

"Encouraging film production companies to choose Evanston is a great way to promote the diversity and beauty of our city well beyond Chicagoland," Bobkiewicz said. "We like to collaborate with filmmakers and look forward to a successful new project."

The writer and director of "The Pages" is long-time "Chicago Fire" executive producer Joe Chappelle, who will step back from his job on the NBC show to make his film in Evanston this summer, according to the Chicago Tribune. The film is described as a political thriller, starring Jamie Lee Curtis as a powerful politician opposed by a powerful national security adviser played by Tika Sumpter.

Chapelle told the Tribune he wants "The Pages" to feel like a classic 1970's conspiracy thriller (like "All the Presidents Men", "The Parallax View" or "Three Days of the Condor"). Evanston-based Chapelle said he was particularly inspired by two recent documentaries by legendary documentarian Errol Morris, "The Unknown Known" (about the Secretary of Defense during the launch of the Iraq War, Donald Rumsfeld ) and "The Fog of War" (about the Secretary of Defense during the intensification of the Vietnam War, Robert McNamera.)

Filmmakers are working closely with a variety of local business, including Curt's Cafe, which has been hired as a caterer for "The Pages."

"Catering opportunities help sustain our programming, and also offer a great opportunity to introduce our young men and women to specialty foodservice training as well as a variety of industries," said Curt's Cafe executive director Susan Trieschmann. "We're excited to serve the cast and crew on a movie production that takes place in our own backyard this summer."

"We are so pleased to have the opportunity to make 'The Pages' in the diverse city of Evanston and in the great state of Illinois," said Unit Production Manager Brett Hays, principal at Champaign-based Shatterglass Films. "We look forward to working with the people of Evanston and appreciate the warm welcome and generous support we've received from Evanston city officials and local businesses on this exciting venture."

EXTRAS/VEHICLES NEEDED

Producers of the film said they need extras of all ages and a wide variety of vehicles. If you're interested, send an email to: Extras@CorradoMoonCoin.com. It will auto-reply with a form you can complete with your name, age, availability, contact information and photo. Kids aged 5-18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. And if you own a car, truck, van or have a company-owned truck or van that could be used in filming, email Vehicles@CorradoMoonCoin.com