Where credits are due: It’s beginning to look as if the northern suburbs are turning into a film resource, beyond a place to shoot movies. We’ve heard about Jim Ferguson and Bob Shallcross writing a script for Steven Spielberg from a no-nonsense Libertyville office. Now musician Howard Berk, working out of his home in Northbrook, has scored and sings in the soon-to-be-released movie “Hollywood Hills-90028.”
It seems that Berk’s single “Musical Mercenary,” which made the 1993 Grammy Nomination Ballot, caught the attention of “Hollywood Hills” director Barry Blake. The movie, scheduled for release to cable networks and video stores this fall, is billed as a black comedy.
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Scoring movies appeals to Berk, 25, a trumpet player with a classical and jazz background who also writes radio jingles.
“It’s more challenging. I like all different kinds of music, classical, jazz. Scoring a film allows you to use all those elements,” Berk said.
He also expects to be flexing some musical muscle in a couple of upcoming projects with Rick Johnson, co-owner and studio manager of Rainbow Bridge Recording Studio in Libertyville.
“Howard has a refreshing sound,” Johnson said. Their projects, which combine Berk’s writing and instrumentals with Johnson’s production guidance, will be along the adult alternative rock lines.