Month: November 2018

SHAZAM Films in Philly this Weekend, Kendall Jenner will be at Sixers Game Tonight

I received a tip from a reader about a film shooting here next week, called Franklin. My tipster had no idea what the movie was about, and they are downright the best in the sleuth business.
At first I jumped up and down with excitement, is it the Aretha Franklin biopic with Jennifer Hudson, OMgosh, but no it wasn’t that movie. It’s the much anticipated SHAZAM. Yes, long talked about among the fans, and now nearly done filming. Here’s what I know so far, and thanks to Wikepedia for a lot of the info. (BTW they could use our support. I donate to them every year as I use it often for curiosity, and for posts.)

Shazam! is an upcoming American superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name, produced by New Line Cinema and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Billy Batson, a troubled 14-year-old orphan living in Philadelphia, is set up to move into a new foster home – his seventh in a row – with the Vazquez family and their other five foster kids. One day, Billy gets on a subway car and finds himself transported to a different realm, where an ancient wizard gives him the power to transform into a godlike adult superhero by uttering the word “Shazam!” Billy and his new foster brother Freddy Freeman must learn what Billy’s new powers are and how to use them in order to stop the villain Dr. Thaddeus Sivana from wielding powers of his own.^[6][7]

The title of ‘Franklin’ is the “working title” for SHAZAM.  Working titles give films a chance to go about various elements of production – such as casting extras and filming on locations – without drawing too much attention to themselves. A movie that shot here two years ago starring Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston, used a working title called “The Intouchables”, when it filmed here in February 2017. The movie is set in NYC, but filmed almost entirely in Philadelphia. On August 2, 2017, the film’s title was changed to “The Upside”. The release date is January 11, 2019.

According to comicbook.com “Franklin” is a pretty unique choice for Shazam!. Some have already taken the moniker to be a reference to Benjamin Franklin and his lightning-based experiments. With one of Billy Batson/Shazam’s powers being lightning manipulation, it’s a pretty perfect code name for the film to use. (source)

For the uninitiated, Working titles for superhero films have become a fun piece of trivia amongst fans, with some recent standouts including Avengers: Infinity War‘s ‘Mary Lou’, Spider-Man: Homecoming‘s ‘Summer of George’, and Justice League‘s ‘Caveman’.

This weekend and Monday they will be doing updated skyline shots, as well as other locations. Just a few more scenes to finish out production.

Shazam! is scheduled for release in the United States by New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures in RealD 3D, Dolby Cinema and IMAX 3D on April 5, 2019.

Check out the trailer here, you there SEPTA Orange Line I see you!!

Kendall Jenner and Ben Simmons seem to be spending a lot more time together.The on-again-off-again back on again couple were first spotted earlier this month at Elbow Lane, a story I broke, then last weekend they went to two Stephen Starr hot spots: Parc on Friday night (perhaps on a recommendation by Caitlyn Jenner who ate there in Sept 2015 while on her book tour), then they stopped by The 1500 Lounge, Saturday night they went to Buddakan. Monday they had mulled wine at Christmas Village, and soup at the Wholefoods in the Art Museum (Daily Mail) area before Ben loaded up her luggage in a SUV and she flew back to LA, with his words still ringing in her ear, I’ll see you next weekend, as I reported yesterday. Sure enough tonight she’ll be at the Sixers game at Wells Fargo cheering on her beau.

HughE Around Town: Christmas Village, Tasty Talk, Giuseppe & Sons and M Night’s New Apple Show

Hello, it’s HughE here. Sorry I have not been consistent on PhillyChitChat. I was so swamped this social season, plus that darn sleep doctor, Dr. Thanjua Hamilton told me I needed to get more sleep. I realize sleeping cuts down on my productivity, but I am enjoying my zzz’s. Social season is slowing down and I’ll be more consistent here. ALSO New Year’s resolution, they’re here, I’m not going to miss any posts on PCC going forward. We’ll start now. It’s Thursday let’s see what’s going on around town.

The big news, winter is upon us. How crazy this year it was summer til nearly November, the leaves didn’t peak until after Halloween, and then it snowed. What a beautiful fall. Here’s a shot from earlier this week with last remnants of fall dot the landscape in Fairmount Park, and icicles are hanging from the stone bridge on Kelly Drive. Always be wary of black ice, which you can see on the roadway here.

Christmas Village opened softly with a bang in November, and then with a beautiful visit from the Christkind (Germany’s “santa claus”) on Sunday November, 25, 2018. Shoppers will find boutique items from soaps and clothing to custom-made handbags and scarves, there authentic German food, mulled wine, Kendall Jenner posted on her Insta Stories earlier this week how delicious it was, when she stopped by with Ben Simmons. (While in town they had dinner at Parc, Buddakan, partied at the 1500 Lounge, stopped by Whole Foods on South Street before she headed home to LA. I hear he loaded the SUV with her luggage, kissed her goodbye and said I’ll see you in a week.)

When you enter Christmas Village there are great information boards on the vendor locations through out the Village.

Romel K. McInnis, Choral Director, and the Clearview Vocal Esemble at the Christmas Village opening Sunday, November 25, 2018 at Love Park.

This years there’s a designated area to eat and enjoy your friends and family.

Running from Thanksgiving (11/22/18) through Christmas Eve (12/24/18) with a preview weekend on November 17th and 18th, Christmas Village in Philadelphia will once again bring the charm of an authentic German Christmas market to Center City Philadelphia.

Tuesday night I stopped by the Academy of Music where dedicated Committee Members, Underwriters and Restoration Fund Donors took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Grand Old Lady of Locust Street. The committees are essential to the continued preservation of this National Historic Landmark. If you are interested in getting involved or learning more visit www.academyofmusic.org

Then I headed over to Giuseppe & Sons for a celebratory dinner with Sheila Hess, Dr. Thanuja Hamilton (who made her debut on Dr. Oz)and moi (for the wonderful article in Philly Mag –One Day in Philly: HughE Dillon, Society Photographer  ). We stopped by another celebratory table to say hi to Billy Riddle, Kristina Jenkins,  Joshua Jenkins, Frank Kemp, GM of G&S, Jackie Kemp and Jen Carroll. Jen tells me that Spice Finch serves Brunch now.

Apple as you know has given a straight-to-series order for a psychological thriller written by Tony Basgallop and produced by M. Night Shyamalan, with Night set to direct the first episode which begins filming next week. Don’t expect to see the production on the streets of Philadelphia as it will be filming in Aston, Pa at the Sun Center Studios, sans one scene.

See you tomorrow , and on Sunday for more HughE Around Town here on Philly Chit Chat. Thanks

More than 200 Philadelphia-area asset management industry professionals gathered on Nov. 1 at The Logan Philadelphia to raise money for Take A Breather Foundation and to celebrate Philadelphia’s deep roots in national financial markets and services.

The Philadelphia Fund Alliance is a group of Philadelphia-based asset management industry professionals formed to hold an annual fundraiser to benefit one or more charities in the greater Philadelphia area. The annual fundraiser not only supports a great cause, but it also will highlight Philadelphia’s deep roots and influence in national financial markets and services, including traditional mutual funds and alternative asset vehicles. Through our annual event, we will raise money for a local charity and, as an ancillary benefit, we will raise awareness about our collective accomplishments and milestones in the asset management industry.

Soumya Stanley and Jenelle Lewis (Ernst & Young)

Speaker Matthew McCloskey
(Take A Breather Foundation)

Take A Breather Foundation Check Presentation for $80, 000

The Take A Breather Foundation Team:
Andy McBryan, Tony McCloskey, Matthew
McCloskey, Christine McCloskey and Molly McBryan

Tom Frank and Chris Krumenacker (Bryn Mawr Trust)

The University of the Arts Musician

Alena Bolbas and Kristen Kafel (Grant Thornton)

Chris Rebman, Mike Beattie and
John Alshefski (SEI Investments)

Colleen Surace and John Quine (PwC)

David Connor (Macquarie) and Bruce Leto (Stradley Ronon)

Erin McClafferty (BBD) and Linda Kauffman (Tait Weller)

Gloria Melunis and Ryan Frampton (PNC)

Lori Wayne and Kim Togno (SEI Investments)

Matt DiClemente (Stradley Ronon) and Frank Maresca (Broadridge Financial)

Michael Smerconish signs his book Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right: American Life in Columns for Bruce Leto (Stradley Ronon)

Reese Blair (Deloitte), Kevin Boyle (Stradley Ronon), Kelly Fisherkeller and Nate Bomberger (Deloitte)

Rob Hagelin (Aberdeen Standard Investments) and Jason Ferreira (Ernst & Young)

There was a silent auction with popular items which generated additional fund for Take A Breather Foundation

Sally Wirts, Melissa Hinmon and Kim Osborne ( Glenmede Investment Management)

Thanks Mike Hirata for shooting the Philadelphia Fund Alliance Gala

Devereux Pennsylvania’s 19^th annual Hope Gala raises more than $180,000 for children and adults with special needs

Nearly 350 guests entered the enchanted “Secret Garden” at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Pennsylvania’s 19^th annual Hope Gala to raise critical funds for children and adults with special needs.

The November 10 black-tie event at Philadelphia’s Moulin at Sherman Mills raised more than $180,000 to benefit the 3,500 individuals with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences Devereux serves in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Catherine Hobbs and Cameron Kelly of jewelry sponsor Lisi Lerch.

Lindsey Clark, Mackenzie Clark, Sue Clark, and Devereux CEO Carl E Clark

“Every year at the Hope Gala, we are overwhelmed by the generosity and enthusiasm of our attendees who give so willingly to help Devereux continue to advance its mission, which is to unlock and nurture human potential for people living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences,” said Devereux President and CEO Carl E. Clark II. “The Gala offers a fantastic opportunity to thank our donors, friends and supporters with an extraordinary event, and to share with them the incredibly positive impact their support is making in our communities.”

Living Statue with Amy Susann and Theresa Russell

Gina Powers, Carla Gilbert, Kendra Griffith, Lauren Baseline, and Erin Thurston.

The magic of the “Secret Garden”

This year’s “Secret Garden” theme, which was brought to life with thoughtful décor and specially crafted food and drinks, transported guests to an elegant and serene garden setting. The theme evoked the uniqueness, beauty and potential of the individuals we serve every day.

Leah Yaw and Steve Bollinger

Lisa Scolari, Steve Scolari, Tom Keiser and Debora Keiser

Alex Dole, Renee Dole, Laura Martin, and Aonghus Martin

Alec Clark, Pattie Hillis-Clark, Rhea Fernandes, Yolanda Graham, Lisa Thomas, and Brian Thomas

Joins us for our 2019 Hope Gala on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. To learn more about Devereux Pennsylvania’s programs and services, click here. To learn more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, click here.  Thanks to Mike Hirata for shooting this for Philly Chit Chat.

A Conversation with Rodney McLeod at SAKS on Fashion

Earlier this week Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles Safety Rodney McLeod sat down with Ryan Williams, CMD – VP/ General Manager – Saks Fifth Avenue Monday night to talk about fashion trends.
Ryan Williams, Rodney McLeod and Lloyd Freeman, Archer Law and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Big Brothers Big Sisters Philadelphia Region. Some proceeds from the evenings shopping experience supported BBBS.

RDS Enterprise showcased some of their luxury cars for guests to experience.

Beauty abounds with Kristy Sevag, who handled the PR for the event with best bud Jenn Frederick

Sam Brook and Samantha Paz, Marketing Manager at Saks Fifth Avenue

A fashion conscious crowd turned out for the special evening at SAKS Fifth Ave at 2 Bala Plaza, Bala Cynwyd,

Lite bites by Constellation were served during the event.
Thanks Joshua Brunstetter for the Truffles

Longtime customers Danielle Dolente, Madison Dolente, and Olivia Resnik stopped

A few of my favorite things. My mother loves this perfume.

Rodney and Ryan get down to serious fashion business. Rodney says fashion has always been a staple in his life. His friends growing up in Baltimore always prided themselves in looking good. They felt more confident wearing clothes that were stylish, and looked good on them.
Fashion is important, but make sure you’re wearing something your comfortable in, and it fits.

Check out the Saks Fifth Avenue Black Friday Deals here

Stop by the Saks Fifth Avenue store on City Ave today

That’s a Wrap: 17 Bridges is Done filming in Philly, and after Tonight in NYC

What a busy fall – between the exciting Fall Social Season where Philly Chit Chat was booked nearly every day, sometimes three times a day between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, and the filming of 17 Bridges with Chadwick Boseman, Sienna Miller and Taylor Kitsch. It’s a wrap, the social season is over and so is 17 Bridges

17 Bridges wraps filming tonight in Manhattan, but last week it officially wrapped in Philadelphia when they filmed this scene on the “courthouse” steps in NYC at a police press conference. This scene took less than one hour to film, and filmed about 1030PM. Afterwards some of the cast, and most of the crew headed to aka.university city to complete the second day of filming there as the aka doubled for the Highline hotel in Manhattan.

17 Bridges as you know by know, is set in NYC. There’s a shoot out that takes place outside the Mosto restaurant. Policemen are killed which sets off a police chase after the criminals ending up in Manhattan. Extreme measures are taken and all 17 bridges leading onto the island are closed and the pursuit kicks into high gear.

Thanks to Unite Fitness for allowing me to “hideout” in their 2nd floor gym over night to catch the action one night. It really was a thrill, and a once in a lifetime experience to see a movie being filmed.

Brooklyn seems to have a lot of graffiti

And although I wasn’t able to get the best photos from this position, I knew I’d be able to tell a story
And it turned out better than I could have ever planned

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#17bridges with #chadwickboseman filming Monday night into Tuesday morning and I was there thanks to @unitefitness . Thanks Matt Petrillo @mpetrillo @cbs_philly for this piece. Being able to observe them film a scene from the movie is definitely one of the highlights of my career; and I’m excited to bring it to you. #phillywood #siennamiller #taylorkitsch I heard he was on set but I did not see him. This is only a small clip, you’ll have to head over to CBS Philly.com to see the rest of the clip #paparazzi #pccbuzz

A post shared by Philly ChitChat (@phillychitchat) on Oct 23, 2018 at 4:51am PDT

Thanks to CBSPhilly and Matt Petrillo for staying up with me for part of the night covering the filming of 17 bridges on 20th Street, I mean Haverchick and 3rd.

This was only the 2nd time I ever met Matt, but we’ve been following each other on Social Media for years and years.

When I go on shoots I try and photograph the extras, but it was a bit dark to get clear shots

They water down the street so it appears lively in films

Thanks to the films Production Assistants, Security and other folks who were super polite as I got my shots.
When shooting in plain sight it helps to respect them. I usually just spent 30 – 60 mins to grab my shots, ascertain the story so I can convey it to you. That way you don’t have to freeze yourself, and can enjoy dining at your local fav spot.

Speaking of look how they converted Shake Shake

Into a construction site
Thanks to Heery Casting and the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, and the PAFIA for bringing these films to Philly. Check out their sites on how you can be an extra, and more about the Film Tax Credit. These films bring a much needed boast to our economy.
Also these organizations do not give me tips on the filming. They sign NDA’s and by law are not allowed to talk to me about the film. I have over 100’s readers who are generous and kind, never asking me for anything except to go get a story. I really appreciate that. I love doing this, it’s a great hobby.
I do at the end of a film donate photos to the Film Office for their use, which hopefully helps in bringing more films to Philly.

As for the actors they were all very low key. Chadwick was really nice to fans. He posed with most anyone who asked, but preferred to pose with the kids he told a source on the set. He didn’t sign any autographs while he was here. I hear he was a perfect gentleman at the building where he lived, often holding the front door open for the ladies who entered.

 

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Thanks @cbs_philly If you look closely you can see two cars ‘accidentally’ crashing into each other. Really they weren’t supposed to hit. #17bridges #chadwickboseman #siennamiller #phillywood

A post shared by Philly ChitChat (@phillychitchat) on Nov 5, 2018 at 8:04am PST

Thanks to my friends over at the Murano who allowed me to hang out on their balcony up until Midnight lunchtime, which seemed to be the regular time 17 Bridges broke for lunch. Most all of their shoots were over night. Thanks for the memories, I had a great time. See you on the big screen next summer.

I apologize for missing posts this week on PhillyChitChat.com I’ve been shooting events day and night, but the good news is the intense schedule of Fall Social Season is coming to an end on Monday. Intense means events I’m hired to shoot fall to one a day, then about 4 a week until Spring Social Season which begins in March. I don’t think I’ve ever had such a busy season like this, which is a blessing. I often do each blog entry daily, and they’re not scheduled ahead. Perhaps after a decade I should look into such a time saving method. To keep up to date with me follow me on Twitter or Instagram. I hope to return to blogging begining on Monday. Today, Thursday, I have 3 events and a dinner. The first event begins at 7:30AM. Yesterday I shot two events, and I was awake until 215am creating columns.

Thanks for understanding. This won’t happen again. I feel like I’ve let you down.

Sincerely HughE

Creed 2, 17 Bridges, and Bradley Cooper – A Star Studded Weekend in Phillywood

* Friday night: They all went to the Sixers game. Tessa Thompson rang the Sixers bell.
Dr Thanuja Hamilton selfie on Instagram
Update: See all of Thanuja’s photos in their glory at Philly.com’s Entertainment column

Michael B Jordan and Frankie Musser, Jr.

Bradley Cooper was in town this weekend. I obtained permission for the girl who posted a photo on instagram to use it on Fox 29. (Photo credit: Emma Atkinson)

Saturday: Bradley Cooper attended the annual GA-PC Day between arch rivals Germantown Academy and Penn Charter.  The event was held at Cooper’s alama matter  Germantown Academy, he posed for photos with a lot of the students.

Saturday night: Cooper was at Gypsy Blu in Ambler, Pa for his 25th reunion with the class of 1993.

The movie 17 Bridges is winding down with only about 3 weeks left of filming. This past week they were filming a lot of subway scenes, mostly in North Philly. Over the weekend they returned to Center City where they filmed on 16th Street between Sansom and Chestnut Streets. Then on Market St last night,
even changing this subway station to say 23rd Street in NYC – Subway Line 7.

Then it was back to Market Street for more scenes like this, which I shot last Sunday night at the same time.

Just so you know Philly, like 17 Bridges, when you see Creed 2 you will discover that Philly doubled for many locations in that movie as well. I dont want to spoil it but Philly doubles for Moscow, New York City, Las Vegas and California where Creed, Jr. and his family live.  Philadelphia the City benefits from these movies being filmed here financially as well as employing many locals.

Thanks to the  Greater Philadelphia Film Office as well as  Pennsylvania Film Industry Association for creating PhillyWood.

4^th Philadelphia Zoo hosted its Annual Global Conservation Gala

On Thursday October 4^th Philadelphia Zoo hosted its Annual Global Conservation Gala, an iconic event that honors extraordinary people doing extraordinary things for wildlife and the world.  The theme of this year’s Gala, held at the Zoo, was water and the importance this critical natural element is to life in general. Honorees at the Gala included a forward-thinking environmentalist, Thomas Dolan IV, who received The Conservation Impact Award and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, an organization that has reversed the trajectory of the Rodrigues Fruit Bat, a species once close to extinction, awarded the Global Conservation Award. The honorees were celebrated their outstanding work, incredible passion, and unwavering dedication to conservation.

It was a beautiful evening despite the dreary rainy weather which has daunted our area for the past year.
Every year the Zoo’s Mary Love and her team really hit the mark when creating the decor and atmosphere of the gala

Hey Bea
Usually the cocktail party would take place among the beautifully landscaped grounds, but because of the “on brand” rain, we all joked it was, the cocktail party was moved inside under the grand tent where dinner took place.

Since its inception in 2010, the Zoo’s Global Conservation Gala has honored individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication, and achievement in the world of conservation. It has also advanced the Zoo’s mission to connect people with wildlife, create joyful discovery and inspire action for animals.  This year’s Gala, co-chaired by Holly and Orlando Esposito and Patti Owens and Jeff Saltz, had more than 500 attendees and is the largest fundraising event for the Zoo.

Philadelphia Zoo Board Member Dale Presitipino and wife TraceyPresitipino.

Global Conservation Gala attendee Shaina Hamilton and husband Philadelphia Zoo Board Member Nat Hamilton

Philadelphia Zoo President & CEO, Vikram H Dewan, Philadelphia ZooBoard Member Joanna M. Lewis, Philadelphia Zoo Chairman of the Board, F. William McNabb III

Global Conservation Gala attendees Meredith and Sheri Swinney-Donley

Aicha Ly and Kernika Gupta

Jason Cevera, Rachel Cevera, Sonni Barma, Adam Kohn, Jody M. Lewis and Diana Ramsey

Philadelphia Zoo Gala Event Co-Chairs Jeff Saltz, Patti Owens, Global Conservation Awardee Vikash Tatayah, Conservation Director Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Philadelphia Zoo Gala Co-Chairs, Orlando Esposito, Holly Esposito

On Friday October, 20, 2018, a benefit for the Barnes Foundation celebrating the opening of the international exhibition
Berthe Morisot: Woman Impressionist, a much anticipated show took place at the museum.

The festive black-tie evening took place at the Center City museum, which was beautifully decorated with floral design by Table Art, Valley Forge Flowers and Sebesta Design highlighting the room and food stations. There was also a Champagne bar in Neubauer Plaza featuring the “French Kiss” by 13th Street Cocktails. .

Honorary Trustee Event Chairs were Pamela D. Bundy and Aileen K. Roberts.

Exhibitions at the Barnes are organized to amplify visitor understanding of the art, ideas and histories represented in the Barnes remarkable collections. – Thom Collins, Executive Director and President of the Barnes Foundation

Nicole Segal Floral Design did the white and red floral step and repeat