By: Rick Bentley - The Fresno Bee
Source: http://www.fresnobee.com
Category: Film School Online
The 90-minute retrospective "Chicago Presents an Evening of Holiday Music and Greatest Hits," airing at 7 p.m. today at the Edwards Fresno Stadium 22, is a real Fresno family affair. Not only does San Joaquin Memorial graduate Lou Pardini play keyboards and sing, his nephew, Peter Pardini, directed the production.
"In July, Fathom Events asked the band to create a retrospective feature on their tour featuring greatest hits as well as performances from the Christmas album, which was released in October. So I sifted through all the footage I had shot and edited together a 90-minute piece for theatrical release," says Peter Pardini. "I'm very happy with the result, and I think whoever sees it will get a good idea of what it's like to travel with the band, as I was given an all-access pass to their lives."
Chicago formed in 1967 and produced such hits as "25 or 6 to 4," "If You Leave Me Now," "Hard To Say I'm Sorry" and "Hard Habit To Break." Only the Beach Boys have had more success among American bands in terms of chart success for their singles and albums, according to Billboard.
There have been several changes to the band over the years. Lou Pardini started as a substitute player in the late '90s and has been a keyboard player and lead vocalist since 2009. When the band was looking to gather behind-the-scenes footage for the new Christmas album, Pardini recommended his nephew.
"A word of advice to anyone seeking a job in film. Find the nearest person you know who is in any way connected to entertainment -- preferably a family member -- and then bug them for 10 years about your dreams and hope they remember you when an opportunity arises," Peter Pardini says.
The 25-year-old filmmaker graduated from San Joaquin Memorial High School in 2005. He earned a degree in screen writing in 2010 from California State University, Northridge.
Originally, Peter Pardini was hired to shoot 11 days of behind-the-scenes footage in Nashville as the band put the holiday album together. He was later hired to travel with Chicago to 25 states, plus Rome, Paris and London.
Not only did the young director put together the retrospective, but he also created 6:30 p.m. pre-show mini-documentaries. Also featured in the movie is a 14-minute music video he wrote and directed featuring film actor Joe Mantegna.
The film work took him around the world but he remains indebted to Fresno.
"I just want to say how much Fresno has had an impact on me. There are several people in the retrospective and music video from Fresno and no matter what happens with my career, I always want to stay rooted in the Valley because it shaped who I am. My parents have always been supportive and I am so thankful for the help they gave me to reach this point," Peter Pardini says. "Also, the fact that I was able to experience my first big break alongside my uncle is incredible. I've always looked up to him, and now that I'm able to actually see him perform night in and night out is a dream come true."
Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/12/06/2639586/pardinis-a-big-part-of-film-about.html#ixzz1gj9H1JsJ
TV and movie critic Rick Bentley can be reached at rbentley@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6355. Read his blog at fresnobeehive.com.
Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/12/06/2639586/pardinis-a-big-part-of-film-about.html#ixzz1gj9JS7E1
The Bee's story-comment system is provided by Disqus. To read more about it, see our Disqus FAQ page. If you post comments, please be respectful of other readers. Your comments may be removed and you may be blocked from commenting if you violate our terms of service. Comments flagged by the system as potentially abusive will not appear until approved by a moderator.
Source: http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/12/06/2639586/pardinis-a-big-part-of-film-about.html
Source: http://www.fresnobee.com
Category: Film School Online
The 90-minute retrospective "Chicago Presents an Evening of Holiday Music and Greatest Hits," airing at 7 p.m. today at the Edwards Fresno Stadium 22, is a real Fresno family affair. Not only does San Joaquin Memorial graduate Lou Pardini play keyboards and sing, his nephew, Peter Pardini, directed the production.
"In July, Fathom Events asked the band to create a retrospective feature on their tour featuring greatest hits as well as performances from the Christmas album, which was released in October. So I sifted through all the footage I had shot and edited together a 90-minute piece for theatrical release," says Peter Pardini. "I'm very happy with the result, and I think whoever sees it will get a good idea of what it's like to travel with the band, as I was given an all-access pass to their lives."
Chicago formed in 1967 and produced such hits as "25 or 6 to 4," "If You Leave Me Now," "Hard To Say I'm Sorry" and "Hard Habit To Break." Only the Beach Boys have had more success among American bands in terms of chart success for their singles and albums, according to Billboard.
There have been several changes to the band over the years. Lou Pardini started as a substitute player in the late '90s and has been a keyboard player and lead vocalist since 2009. When the band was looking to gather behind-the-scenes footage for the new Christmas album, Pardini recommended his nephew.
"A word of advice to anyone seeking a job in film. Find the nearest person you know who is in any way connected to entertainment -- preferably a family member -- and then bug them for 10 years about your dreams and hope they remember you when an opportunity arises," Peter Pardini says.
The 25-year-old filmmaker graduated from San Joaquin Memorial High School in 2005. He earned a degree in screen writing in 2010 from California State University, Northridge.
Originally, Peter Pardini was hired to shoot 11 days of behind-the-scenes footage in Nashville as the band put the holiday album together. He was later hired to travel with Chicago to 25 states, plus Rome, Paris and London.
Not only did the young director put together the retrospective, but he also created 6:30 p.m. pre-show mini-documentaries. Also featured in the movie is a 14-minute music video he wrote and directed featuring film actor Joe Mantegna.
The film work took him around the world but he remains indebted to Fresno.
"I just want to say how much Fresno has had an impact on me. There are several people in the retrospective and music video from Fresno and no matter what happens with my career, I always want to stay rooted in the Valley because it shaped who I am. My parents have always been supportive and I am so thankful for the help they gave me to reach this point," Peter Pardini says. "Also, the fact that I was able to experience my first big break alongside my uncle is incredible. I've always looked up to him, and now that I'm able to actually see him perform night in and night out is a dream come true."
Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/12/06/2639586/pardinis-a-big-part-of-film-about.html#ixzz1gj9H1JsJ
TV and movie critic Rick Bentley can be reached at rbentley@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6355. Read his blog at fresnobeehive.com.
Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/12/06/2639586/pardinis-a-big-part-of-film-about.html#ixzz1gj9JS7E1
The Bee's story-comment system is provided by Disqus. To read more about it, see our Disqus FAQ page. If you post comments, please be respectful of other readers. Your comments may be removed and you may be blocked from commenting if you violate our terms of service. Comments flagged by the system as potentially abusive will not appear until approved by a moderator.
Source: http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/12/06/2639586/pardinis-a-big-part-of-film-about.html
