Podtalk: Shane Simmons of Elevated Films on Drive-In for ‘I Used to Go Here,’ July 29, 2020

CHICAGO – The urban drive-in is back … at least for now as we negotiate these extraordinary times. In a partnership with the Music Box Theatre and ChiTown Movies, Elevated Films Chicago – a non-profit that promotes the cinematic and other arts in the Windy City – presents the premiere of a NEW made-in-Chicago film by Kris Rey, ‘I Used to Go Here.’ On Wednesday, July 29th, 2020, there will be two screenings (with a filmmaker Q&A) at a drive-in set up in Chicago … with concessions available. CLICK HERE [19] for details.

Chicago Drive-In Premiere for ‘I Used to Go Here’
Photo credit: Gravitas Ventures

‘I Used to Go Here’ was written and directed by Kris Rey (“Unexpected”), a local filmmaker known for her connective character studies. The story involves Kate (Gillian Jacobs of “Community”) who has just published her first novel. This piques the interest of her old alma mater in downstate Illinois, including her first writing instructor, David (Jermaine Clement, formerly of “Flight of the Concords”). The school invites her for a reading, and the trip brings back memories of her college days … she even gets involved with a group of students who live in her old campus house. As the thirtysomething Kate tries to relive her youth, she still needs to navigate her adulthood.

Shane Simmons is the Director of Operations for Elevated Films, and was instrumental in coordinating the drive-in event with the Music Box Theatre and ChiTown Movies. From Iowa, he has produced 14 TV/film works (notably “Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party”) and has acted in over 20 productions, including Michael Glover Smith’s film “Mercury in Retrograde.”

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Shane Simmons of Elevated Films Chicago talks about the coordination of the drive-in event and steering his efforts in our current times.

[20]	By PATRICK McDONALD [21] Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com [20]