When it comes to making your next film, Illinois has everything you need: innumerable locations, experienced crew and talent, stages, equipment, production facilities, labs, post houses, and on top of it all an unbeatably secure 30% tax incentive that won't expire or dry up. Even if you've got a farmer vampire who falls in love with a giant alien robot, we'll make it happen for you!

In 2008 the Illinois Production Alliance lead the fight and succeeded in securing a new competitive tax incentive, 30% with no expiration date. In anticipation of the current tax incentive, the IPA also lead an effort by local professional filmmakers to create a promotional short film to announce the new incentive and remind filmmakers across the world that Illinois is a world-class production center. This belief in the undeniably bright future of Illinois filmmaking powered the collaborative creation of the short film, “The Place to Make Your Movie- Illinois.”

Directed by the renowned Bob Ebel and shot on the RED Camera (donated by Fletcher Camera) by expert director of photography David Kessler, the short film is clever, impeccably crafted, and a great example of the high quality work that Illinois is so capable of. The cast features Second City mainstay Joe Canale as the hapless young director who knows just how to solve the problem of the big shot producer, played by Chuck Quinn: ‘Where can one find all of the locations, crew, and talent needed to shoot his next big film AND keep it in the budget?’ Through a series of crazy antics and a carefully crafted speech, Joe is able to solve the producer’s dilemma with the most logical and perfect answer, Illinois.

Over 70 members and nonmembers of the Illinois Production Alliance came together for this project, to do what they do best: make a movie. Together, they are pleased to see this piece presented to the world’s stage on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, hoping to honor the iconic image and remind the world of the many talents, prospects, and the new and improved tax incentive (30%) that the Land of Lincoln has to offer.

So many people made this project possible!!! These people worked quickly, cheerfully, and pro-bono! Please take note and remember that these people put in the work for all of us. They have paid it forward-- please return the favor.  (*IPA members)

Pre Production Thanks

Big Deahl Studios*- Rosemary and David Deahl; Andy Boyd*, Nate Brown, Big Mouth Talent, Lauren Streylow*. and Foundation Post*- Samantha Hart, Vignette Lammott, Ian Pfaff

Cast

Joe Canale- Performer/ Writer Chuck Quinn- Performer Susan Messing- Performer Craig Harris- Voice Over Performer

Crew

Grace McPhillips- Producer/ Voice Over Performer* Kara Mann- Production Supervisor Bob Ebel- Director* Jason Schettler- Assisstant Director/ Associate Producer* David Kessler- Director of Photography Bob Faison- 1st Assistant Camera Mike Herrera- 2nd Assistant Camera Mary Tallman- Script Supervisor Dan Griffin- Art Director Mo Wagdy- Art Assistant Chris Fuller- Composer* Mario Coletta- Sound Mixer Michael McGrath- Boom Operator James Barron- Sound PA Christopher Rejano- Best Boy Electric Guy Moeller- Grip Mike Morris- Grip William Kenny- Grip Charlie Rhomberg- Grip Eldridge Huntington- Props Reid Coker- Props Cat Bernier- Make-up Artist Annie Rhodes- Big Deahl Productions: Studio Manager* Seth Deahl- BDP Assistant* Lisa Kuehl- Food Stylist Marty Rhomberg- Gaffer* Fernando Briones- Kep Grip* Christy Taddeo- Grip Andy Smith- Video Assist* Sara Plano- Data Wrangler Anne Harvey- Assistant Producer* Deanna Moffit- Assistant Producer Dylan Gunnet- Key PA/ Grip Sam Downing- PA/ Grip Adam Clapper- PA Nyera Jones- PA Post Production Sandy Gordon- Post Production Supervisor* Optimus Brian Hrastar- Producer Lauren Connolly- Assistant Producer Editor- Ruben Vela Colorist- CraigLeffel Asst. Colorist- Joel Signer Graphic Designer- Donnie Bauer Smoke Artist- Glenn Pasek Audio Engineer- Joel Anderson Assistant Audio Engineer- Ryan Cybul

Special thanks to the following for the assistance, encouragement, deals and donations:

Rosemary and David Deahl*, Tom Fletcher*, Sally Fletcher*, Fletcher Camera, Tom Duff- President of Optimus, Marty Rhomberg*- Northern Lighting, Steve’s Catering, Mark Androw*, John Patterson*, Kristin Broadwell*, Kate Henley*, PROPabilities, RSL rentals, Rich Moskal- Chicago Film Office, Betsy Steinberg- Illinois Film Office, and Jolene Jones- Screen Actor’s Guild*