Movie Production Set to Take Place in Olean and Bradford Areas

BY NICHOLAS PIRCIO

   Production of the Prohibition Era film ‘Little Chicago’ continues in the Olean and Bradford areas. Screenwriter Carl Veno, an Olean native, says the movie "trailer," or preview, is finished.  It is now on DVD and around 500 copies are being distributed to the media. The DVD is available to the public upon by request by calling 610-776-8411. Veno said people who appear in the film should be able to obtain a copy of the disc.  Veno describes the trailer as "magnificent."

   Movie producers are currently involved with setting up the costume department. Since ‘Little Chicago’ is a period piece, it requires a tremendous amount of detailed clothing.  Actor Vinny Pastore of ‘The Sopranos,’ who wants to play the part of Al Capone, has yet to be outfitted. Pastore was among the actors who visited the Southern Tier this past summer.

   Still to come is negotiating with major Hollywood stars. Negotiating with movie stars is the longest and most difficult part of the production process. A casting director will submit a list of available stars. Veno expects to land some "superstars" for the film. Veno said it's no secret that several ‘Sopranos’ stars will join in the making of ‘Little Chicago.’  He hopes negotiations can be finalized within the next few weeks, at which time the cast will be announced.  Veno said one or two stars have been cast, adding that “actors and actresses used as extras from the local area have been fantastic.” Some of them have even earned speaking parts, and some will be called back once major filming begins. 

    Veno said next up is to fine-tune the script, which he has already re-written six times. Filming should start sometime in March, and should continue through mid-June. Some of shooting can take place before the main stars are signed to a contract, and later blended into the film. Filming locations will likely include Niagara Falls, Olean, Bradford, Kane, Pennsylvania, and possibly Dunkirk.

   The intent of ‘Little Chicago’ is to tell a story that has yet to be told: the impact of Prohibition on small town America. The idea for the movie came from a chapter in Veno’s book, Invisible Ink, published in 2005. Veno has 25 years of journalistic experience. He decided to do the writing on ‘Little Chicago’ because Hollywood writers were too expensive.  Veno feels the movie will generate a lot of publicity for Olean and Bradford, saying he’s “excited” at the prospect.

   Pictured: On the set of ‘Little Chicago.’