Chicago's Film Industry Reaches New Records

If “top cities in the film industry” were an Oscar category, Chicago would be nominee.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Film Office at the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced Tuesday that 2013 was another record year for the city’s film and television activity.

“This past year has been an outstanding year for film in Chicago – with major films and six full-time TV shows in production,” Emanuel said in a statement. “Our success can be attributed to Chicago’s highly-respected crews and talent, world-class facilities, distinctive cinematic urban landscape, affordability and hands-on City support via the Chicago Film Office team, with a sophisticated understanding of the industry and its needs.”

Over the year, Chicago hosted six simultaneous full-time TV series, three studio features and 137 commercials, officials said.

“The most impressive growth was in episodic television,” said Rich Moskal, Director of the Chicago Film Office. “Scripted one-hour dramas see Chicago as a versatile, cinematic and affordable destination. The expansion of Cinespace Studios and the influential endorsement of two Dick Wolf series [‘Chicago Fire’ and ‘Chicago PD’] have sent the entire industry a powerful message: Chicago is full service, highly functioning and open for business.”

Among the TV series shot in Chicago were “Betrayal,” “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago PD,” “Crisis,” “Mind Games” and “Sirens.”

The city was also the filming location for blockbusters including “Divergent,” the film adaptation of the popular young adult series by Chicago author Veronica Roth, “Jupiter Ascending,” by Chicago’s own Lana and Andy Wachowski, and “Transformers 4.”

“These record stats reflect our city’s greater capacity and maturity as a true production center,” continued Moskal. “The past two years have been an important step forward in establishing Chicago as an industry hub.”
 

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