First Production, “Last Call,” Will Be Shot in Chicago, Long Grove and Elk Grove Village

Could Chicago become the independent motion picture capital of the world? If DePaul University has its way, this could well become the case. Cameras will be rolling this summer for Bluelight Productions, a new professional independent motion picture company launched by DePaul University’s Digital Cinema Program, which will shoot its inaugural film, “Last Call,” at locations in Chicago, Long Grove and Elk Grove Village, Ill., from July 6 to 20.

The film’s production team features a mix of veterans from Chicago’s theatre and professional filmmaking communities with faculty, staff and students from DePaul’s highly respected Theatre School and new, state-of-the-art Digital Cinema Program. A new faculty member – Academy Award-winning sound editor David Stone – will work on the post-production of the movie later this summer. Stone has worked on more than 80 films, including “Oceans 11” and its sequel “Oceans 12,” “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (which earned him an Oscar) and “Reservoir Dogs.”

Matt Irvine, director of the Digital Cinema Program and Bluelight founder, said the production company was launched to do “serious commercial filmmaking in and around Chicago,” with plans underway to enter “Last Call” into independent film festivals and explore distribution options. At the same time, the production company will provide DePaul theatre and film students valuable hands-on learning experiences working behind the scenes. Aspiring student filmmakers also will be eligible to submit scripts and production reels into an annual contest for future Bluelight productions.

“Our goal is to create independent films that will be seen by a wide audience and to give our students an invaluable educational experience,” Irvine said. “This is a motion picture company first and a classroom second. If we didn’t treat it that way, we would be cheating the students.”

Irvine said Bluelight was inspired by the independent film movement of the late 1960s and 1970s that produced seminal movies, such as “Easy Rider,” “The Conversation,” and “Five Easy Pieces.” “The independent film movement began when cameras became more mobile and it became easier to make great films with a small budget,” he said. “Filmmakers finally had the freedom to really experiment and explore a more personal vision with their films. Bluelight will continue this tradition. Technological changes are making it more and more possible to produce high-quality motion pictures with little investment and a small staff. Jean Cocteau said that film will only become art when the materials are as inexpensive as pencil and paper. We aren’t there yet, but we are getting closer and closer.”

“Last Call” tells the story of Martin Donaldson, a man who comes to terms with the decisions he made in his life when he returns home to settle his father’s estate. The screenplay was written by screenwriter Gary Novak, a member of the Digital Cinema Program faculty.

The film stars Chicago theatre veteran Gary Houston, who has had movie roles in “Fargo,” “Hoffa,” “Class” and the soon-to-be released “Proof.” Hollis McCarthy, most recently seen in “Road to Perdition,” plays his ex-girlfriend, Linda. Twelve other actors from Chicago’s thriving professional theatre community round out the cast. More than 100 local actors auditioned for roles in the film.

Shooting begins July 6 at a private residence, gas station and other locations in Long Grove. The crew also will shoot scenes at Bullfrog’s Bar and Restaurant in Elk Grove Village and inside office buildings of DePaul’s Loop campus.

DePaul’s School of Computer Science, Telecommunications and Information Systems launched the Digital Cinema Program – the most comprehensive program of its kind – in January. DePaul has invested more than $2.5 million in the program’s high-tech production capabilities that represent a convergence of cinema, technology, animation and gaming.

Editor’s note: Reporters interested in interviewing faculty involved with Bluelight Productions or visiting the film set should make arrangements by contacting Robin Florzak or Shawn Malayter, DePaul Media Relations, at 312/362-8591.