Tom Palazzolo

Utilizing the Cinéma vérité style in films such as Jerry's (1976), his perspective often include panoramic views of a place or event.

He was an important part of the underground film scene in Chicago during the 1960-70s that set itself apart from the lights of Hollywood and New York City.

[5][6] Underground film groups and independent filmmakers were coming onto the scene most notably in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

[7] In the mid 1960s, Palazzolo and a group of friends formed the Floating Cinematheque, a secret film society that met in apartments around Chicago.

[1] During his time with the Floating Cinematheque, Palazzolo also regularly attended Monday night screenings at the Second City that were curated by exhibitors under the name Aardvark.

[1][9] During the 1960s, Ebert was a well known supporter of Palazzolo's independent style and the two interviewed together with author and broadcaster Studs Terkel's WTTW talk show.

They chose Palazzolo, a so-called non-flamboyant Midwesterner but still from the notable city of Chicago to help inspire and promote independent filmmaking in those countries.

[14] Early notable films of Palazzolo's include Love It / Leave It (1973), a document of the Naked City Beauty Pageant in Roselawn, Indiana and a variety of midwestern parades.

[15] Often a participant or a close observer to the action, Palazzolo works to reveal absurdities he finds in midwestern norms and values.

He viewed one of Kreines' documentary films while judging a contest for student filmmakers at the Chicago Public Library.

He admired Kreine's Cinéma vérité style, and the two made eight films together, with the most notable being Pets on Parade and Ricky and Rocky.

[1] During this time Palazzo worked on independent projects including Jerry's, an inside look at the hectic nature of Jerry's Deli in Streeterville, Gay for a Day, which chronicled a pride parade, and I Was a Contestant at Mother's Wet T-shirt Contest, filmed at Mother's Bar and Club.

[4] By this time, the independent film industry was changing rapidly due to a rise in costs and the introduction of video.

While many filmmakers switched to video, Palazzolo went on to create two more film works - this time narratives, titled Caligari's Cure (1982) and Added Lessons (1991).

[2] Amy was featured in one of Palazzolo's short films in 2001 known as Rita on the Ropes which Jack Helbig helped write.