Chicago Pilot ‘Dragged’ Set for SeriesFest World Premiere

Chicago has long been a vital training ground for comedic talent – and it may soon be poised to become the backdrop for a promising new television series. But first, the pilot.

​The independently produced Dragged will make its world premiere in the Comedy Pilot Competition at the prestigious SeriesFest Season 12 in Denver, Colorado, running May 6–10. As the premiere approaches, creator Chuck Norment and director Jack C. Newell stopped by SCREEN to discuss the journey of bringing this project to life.  

Produced by Streeterville Productions and ZAXIE and shot in Chicago by a fully Chicago-based creative and filmmaking team, Dragged tells the story of Xander, a bumbling, insecure trans guy who must learn to keep up or lose the only person he’s ever cared about, when his best friend and secret crush become the hottest new performer in the Chicago drag scene.

Here is your first look at Dragged…

Filmed on location at various locations around Chicago, including Hydrate Nightclub and Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar, Dragged was shot by Stephanie Dufford, the production was designed Beth Ashby, with hair and make up by Rebecca Seweryn and edited by Jehanne Junguenet. The pilot was directed by Jack C. Newell and is executive produced by Lilly Wachowski and Scott Goldstein.

Newell shared the importance of homegrown original series for the city. “If Chicago is ever going to move out of its ‘we’re basically just a location for shows that travel in from out-of-town’ phase – we need to have more pilots that are created, written, shot, and edited by people from Illinois.” 

Executive Producer Scott Goldstein shared with SCREEN, “I’m excited that SeriesFest is giving Chuck, Jack and the entire cast and crew the opportunity to share their talents with a larger audience.”

The pilot stars an all star cast of Chicago comedy talent including the aforementioned Norment, TJ Jagodowski, Asia Martin, Laurel Krabacher, Cassidy Russell as well as drag scene regulars Bambi Banks-Couleé and Radcliffe Adler. The pilot was written by Norment, Sarah Dell-Amico, and Cassidy Russell.

Here are a few first-look photos for you from the pilot…

Creator Chuck Norment sums it up best for SCREEN: “SeriesFest is an unbelievable opportunity for Dragged – it’s gonna be a great next step for our project to keep garnering momentum to bring a much needed story to the world.”

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