March 14--Don't assume that the TV crew you happen to come across in Chicago this month is shooting Fox's "Empire" or NBC's "Chicago Fire" or "Chicago P.D." "Empire" has already wrapped on season one. And besides that, there are two new network TV pilots filming in the area.
ABC's "Runner" and NBC's "Love is a Four Letter Word" begin filming Monday in Chicago for two weeks, according to Chicago Film Office director Rich Moskal. He said both shows will shoot, in part, at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios on the West Side.
"Runner" stars Paula Patton ("Precious") and Adam Rodriguez ("CSI: Miami") and involves cartels and the illegal gun trade. The show is based on the Turkish series, "Son." Go to facebook.com/4starcasting for details on how to become an extra on the pilot. The Facebook page announced that the pilot is in need of extras for an airport scene Tuesday.
"Love is a Four Letter Word" is an ensemble drama dealing with race, sexuality and gender roles and includes Chicago native Nadine Velazquez ("My Name is Earl"), DePaul alum Cynthia McWilliams ("Prison Break"), Rockmond Dunbar ("Prison Break") and Colin Donnell ("Arrow"). For information on how to be an extra on this pilot, go to www.facebook.com/Love4extras.
One other potential TV series coming to Chicago is NBC's "Chicago Med." The characters will be introduced in the 19th episode of "Chicago Fire" this season just like how some of the characters from "Chicago P.D." were introduced on the first season of "Chicago Fire" (this is known as a planted spinoff). The episode airs April 7 and features Oliver Platt ("Fargo"), Laurie Holden ("Walking Dead"), S. Epatha Merkerson ( "Law Order") and Yaya DaCosta ("Whitney") as hospital staff.
