Hollywood filmmaker Deren Abram, now a Barrington resident, has formed non-profit ClarkWORLD Films to produce a documentary about the life of his friend and mentor, the late director Bob Clark. Abram and L.A.-based Lyne Leavy will make “ClarkWORLD,” aimed at helping to eradicate drunk driving, the cause of Clark’s recent death in a car accident. For more than a decade, “ClarkWORLD” producer/director Abram and co-producer Leavy worked with Clark, famous for his classic movie, “A Christmas Story.” “Bob was my mentor and friend,” said Abram who had been his production designer; Leavy, who started out as Clark’s assistant, headed Clark’s Film Classics.
Copyright @ 2007 ClarkWorld Films
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Clark, 67, and his son, Ariel, 22, were killed April 4 in a head-on crash when a 24-year-old, who was intoxicated and driving without a license, steered his SUV into the wrong lane of Pacific Coast Highway. “Bob's death wasn't an accident—it was a totally avoidable tragedy,” said Abram. “There's a vital message here: Drinking and driving need to end now.” Production is slated to start Jan. 1 on the inside look into eccentric and often controversial life of the director (“Porky’s,” “The Karate Dog,” “Black Christmas,” “Baby Genius”) and also spotlight the music of Clark’s talented 22-year old son. Profits from sales will go to a variety of charities, including those dedicated to ending drinking and driving. Peter Billingsley, who will be forever known as little Ralphie in “A Christmas Story,” is expected to come aboard as a co- producer.
Eighteen months ago, Abram, an Indiana native, his wife Jennifer and their two young children, moved to Barrington and into the house in which his wife grew up. “It’s wonderful being here. We always said if we could get back to the Midwest we should. When I finished ‘The Hollywood Dream,’ we followed our dream journey back to the Midwest,” said Abram, an Emmy-winner for production design. Abram noted that Clark at one wanted to shoot a proposed $30 million feature “Elves,” in Chicago. “He thought Wrigley Field would be a great place for a spaceship to land.” Film Pharm is Abram’s production company. He can be reached at deren@filmpharm.com
is first film of Deren Abram to benefit charities
