FutuRéale Magazine - June 2009 by OMAR MURJI

June 2009 volume 2 issue 4

FUTURÉALE www.futureale.com

arts . culture . living

Esteban Powell Talks About The Cleaner

Toronto’s Hotdocs Film Festival Paula Brancati on Acting The Future of 3D Cinema Author Kevin J. Anderson’s Canadian Connection X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Star Trek Movie Reviews

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Note From the Editor

FUTURÉALE volume 2 issue 4

Editor in Chief Rochelle Grabenheimer

Associate Editors Melissa Doyle Leviana Coccia Ashley Foley

Restriction is a fine line between control and necessity. The tangible representation of such an idea found its way to my doorstep about a week ago and I found myself a little confused. Actually, it wasn’t exactly my doorstep; it was more like a public beach I grew up with since I was three. Happy to escape my regulated daily routine, I had driven three hours that morning to Sauble Beach, Ontario for a windy, overcast and essentially premature weekend getaway. Heading to the beach was a goal I had regardless of the weather and I stuck my shoe covered toe into the sand like a cottage–country diehard. Awaiting my arrival were two large government signs with a message of warning. The Piping Plover, a bird on the endangered species list was advertised as nesting nearby in the sand dunes. Beachgoers were advised to watch for the bird, ignore the bird and adore the bird. I had no problem with that. In fact, I studied the large picture provided and paid special attention to all the detailed descriptions of its features, notably its black neckline. So, now as a proactive, self-informed citizen, I continued on my choppy walk across the beach which felt like windsurfing, minus the board. As if the wind wasn’t pushy enough, my beach stroll was limited by yellow taped spaces the size of two tennis courts. From my recent education, I learned that the sectioned off areas were the nesting grounds of the Piping Plover. I thought the size was a bit exaggerated, but chalked that up to the common ignorance of a “Western Consumer”. My doublethink was halted when I saw two little birds scurrying about on the sand close to the yellow

tape, yet clearly outside their yellow brick road. Not wanting to get close, I observed the birds from afar, indeed admiring their black necklines. Quickly leaving the area to let them be, I enjoyed the irony of the situation. I thought the tape was too big, then probably, “just right” and the Piping Plover thought it too small. My alternative goldilocks ending was just what I needed to learn. The truth behind restriction is that it can appear foolish or even appropriate, but until it is put into practice, its success can’t be measured. With a mandate as free as the Piping Plover, FutuRéale knows few restrictions. It doesn’t have themes or strict content guidelines. To ensure that the restrictions it does have are advantageous to the magazine, every Note from the Editor from hereon in will critically examine their concept and use. Bidding farewell to the free spirited Piping Plovers, I turned around and walked towards my mechanical windbreaker of a car. Surprised to see a group of daring beachgoers, I teetered on whether or not to mention my recent sightings. Approaching them, I gave a description of the black neck lined birds, their unpredictable appearance and with the gesture of a smother, instructed them to not get too close. Feeling a bit silly for telling a group of middle aged women what to do, I ended up learning that my public service announcement was well intentioned but with a little restriction, could’ve been a bit yellow taped. – Rochelle Grabenheimer

Senior Editorial Designer Paul Bannister

Junior Editorial Designers Salwa Ali Ravish Rawat

Contributing Writers Sandra Blawat Leviana Coccia Melissa Doyle Ashley Foley Kevin Grubbe Shazia Islam Abdi Olow Dave Proctor Andrew Rainnie Randy Resh Sarah Subnath

Webmaster Heroymo Allen

A dministrative Director Shaq Alam

E xecutive Director Omar Murji

Cofounders Vincent Lorenz Omar Murji

Contact FutuRéale at: admin@futureale.com www.futureale.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

04The Tenant

Leviana Coccia interviews the film’s Director & Producer

05Aloo Chaat

Melissa Doyle closes out the ReelWorld Film Festival

06Hotdocs Film Festival

Melissa Doyle meets some participants

07Honey, I Shrunk the Cinema Audience

Andrew Rainnie anticipates a Brave New World of 3D cinema

09Legalize or Criminalize

Sandra Blawat marches for marijuana

10Non-Linear Layers: An Interview with Esteban Powell Abdi Olow chats with Esteban

12The Future Looks Bright: An Interview with Paula Brancati Shazia Islam meets a Degrassi star

14Movie Review: Star Trek

Andrew Rainnie discusses the franchise

15Movie Review: X-Men Origins: Wolverine Andrew Rainnie dissects a Blockbuster

16Collaborating with Canadians

Kevin Grubbe interviews author Kevin J. Anderson

20Dovetail

Leviana Coccia meets the band’s three members

22Toronto Residents Fight for Small Towns Ashely Foley reminiscences with some Rangers

24Walking on Sunshine

Shazia Islam keeps her New Year’s resolution

26Cruising on a Budget Sarah Subnath goes to sea

27Pennies from Heaven

Dave Proctor finds his inner seven–year–old at the CN Tower

30The Elle Show: A Day of Fashion and Beauty

Melissa Doyle visits the workshops and chats with the vendors

30The Clothing Show: A Dialogue with Creativity Melissa Doyle meets more fashionistas

31Poetry

Randy Resh: Framed, Movie Biz, A Poet Should Be

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Toronto’s 9th annual ReelWorld Film Festival:

The Tenant Director Lucky Ejim and producer Jude Idada presented by Leviana Coccia this inspirational film at the ReelWorld Festival

The film’s screening took

place on April 16th at Toronto’s Carleton Theatre to a room f ull of supporters, reporters, and friends. “The ReelWorld is support in not just spirit, but in body as well. Without art, without culture, where would we be?” Hayet Benkara, ReelWorld’s Project Director, asked the audience before the film started. The Tenant is about a young Nigerian refugee named Obinna (Ejim) who immigrates to Toronto in order to better support his family overseas. His struggle begins when he finds out he will be deported in 30 days. His love life begins to deteriorate as well when he catches his girlfriend with another man (Idada). Obinna’s landlord, Timothy (Kenneth Taylor) who is extremely ill agrees to help Obinna with his troubles on the condition that he finds Timothy’s long lost daughter, Nicole (Jennifer Pogue). Obinna must convince Nicole to visit her father one last time before he dies. Obinna’s struggle does not stop there, however. The film takes many unex pected t w ists and turns, leav ing Obinna stagnant and panicky. “He is a man stuck in time facing struggles that come his way” explains Idada, “He has a limited amount of time to pull through.” Ejim and Idada have had their share of challenges. They incorporated themes of

struggle and happiness in The Tenant from their own lived determination and passion. “We are passionate because we have worked so hard,” Ejim said, “We sold our cars to make this film, it was hard but we did it.” Ejim told the audience that Idada wrote the script in two weeks. After completing it, the both of them stayed awake from 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. the next day to discuss the film. They originally planned to raise a budget of $400,000.00. “Four hundred thousand dollars could be used for 15 films,” Ejim told the audience with laughter. The two worked around their obstacles to create an ideal script and an ideal budget. One of the successes that came from the film was its ability to capture more fact than fiction. Most current Hollywood films focus on profit, Ejim and Idada, however, focused on the real. “We wanted to show the world what goes on,” Idada said, alluding to the fact that although the film was fictional, deportation, struggle, and financial difficulty are in fact, real. Both Ejim and Idada grew up in Nigeria where they faced their own difficulties. Sciences ruled in Nigeria, not art. This social norm was difficult to accept when the two wanted to show what reality was through the arts, not science. “They used to call me ‘Video Edit’ because I always knew everything about movies,” Idada said. Since it was both financially and socially difficult to express their artistic abilities in Nigeria, Ejim and Idada moved to Canada where

they hoped for the best, just like Obinna. “Coming to Canada, it was a culture shock,” Idada said. “I grew up in a culture where art was not accepted, so I went to med school. The idea was that if you were smart you went into sciences, not art,” Idada explained. Audiences of The Tenant have caught onto their intelligence. Whether laughi ng at wel l-k now n Niger ia n c u lt u ra l phrases or expressing shock at unexpected events, from beginning to end, the audience’s response to The Tenant was always positive. When the film came to an end, the audience cheered and applauded. The cast and crew took the stage, thanking their spectators for their time. “When the movie comes to chapter 30 and I expect you to cry, if you cry, then I know I did a good job,” Idada said in an interview prior to the film’s screening. Ejim and Idada said that the reactions were different each place they presented the film. In England, for example, there was more anguish and emotional concern where in Toronto, there was more laughter. Ejim expressed his own reaction to the film, “It’s been a long journey but we’re here at this point. We aren’t just celebrating because we are standing here looking good, we are celebrating teamwork.” Ejim and Idada are two very inspirational men who speak with great wisdom and education. Together, they make a great team.

– pb

We are passionate because we have worked so hard. We sold our cars to make this film, it was hard but we did it. Jude Idada (left) and Lucky Ejim (right) at the ReelWorld film festival.

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Aloo Chaat This highly anticipated Indian film closed the ReelWorld Festival receiving high praise from its audience.

The Robby Grewal produced

movie is about a couple, Nikhil (Aftab Shivdasani) and Aamna (Aamna Sharif) who want to marry, despite their different religious backgrounds. To get around this problem, a plan is put in order. Nikhil will find a woman to pretend to be his girlfriend, while his real girlfriend pretends to be the friend of his apparent girlfriend. As you can imagine, there is a large amount of confusion and chaos caused by this small lie, which soon develops into something greater, adding to the humor of the film. the left: Lin The cast of Aloo Chaat from

The audience members responded wel l to t he l ively f i l m, “I def i n itely thought it was funny and a very relatable interpretation of Indian culture and the challenges within that culture, particularly for individuals who come abroad,” said Lisa Cox . This was Cox’s second screening during the festival. Cox went on to explain the value behind the film, “I think it’s very relatable to whichever culture you live in. There are always challenges when you are looking at marriage and love but I definitely thought

da Arsenio, Aftab Shivda san

by Melissa Doyle

that it had an entertaining perspective to it, but also a very real message…a message of acceptance and learning (about) individuals regardless of their religious culture and background, to get to know them. They are like everyone else.”

– pb Don’t miss the 10th Annual ReelWorld Film Festival next April to engage in a union of culture and value.

i & Aamna Sharif

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Hotdocs Film Festival 11 days 39 countries 171 films

liss y Me

a Do

yle

The Hot Docs Film Festival documentary market in terms of fund- elements. Initially I am a cameraman, so is Toronto’s largest international documentary film festival. This year, the festival took place from April 30th until May 10th and aside from screenings and social events, a number of industry talks and conference sessions took place. The conferences allowed a chance for those working in the industry to speak with film industry experts and meet others interested in doc films. After a meeting at the Hot Docs Town Hall for a talk series, I spoke with Richard Humphreys, a filmmaker and cameraman from New Zealand about how he had heard of the festival and why he decided to come. “I found out about Hot Docs searching around, looking at big international festivals and really New Zealand is so far away from the rest of the world. It’s quite a small

ing…I wanted to come over to one of the big ones.” Humphrey explains. He further added, “Hot Docs is one of the big two or three in the world and the biggest in North America, so I thought it would definitely be a good idea to come for professional development and get a better idea of the scale of documentary filmmaking in the world.” To probe further into his own professional development, I asked Humphreys if he is currently working on any films. He explained, “I am working on a couple of films at the moment. One is about time, how we are all trapped in this never-ending tick-tock cycle of life.” And what will Humphrey be taking from the festival and how might he use what he’s learned in his own work? “I took a lot of stylistic

I am quite visual. When I see something composed so beautifully, the symmetry of the lines, the colours and the shapes… things like that inspire me,” he explains. Humphrey describes how his visual background meshes with his love for documentaries, “I love photography, I love photos and merging that with sound and a story and being a story-teller and being able to inspire people and engage with them, the understanding of it, that’s what it’s about, being a documentary filmmaker.” Hot Doc’s exchange of international doc info might just be the ticket to success that the places “Down Under” are waiting for.

– pb

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Honey, I Shrunk the Cinema Audience

by Andrew Rainnie

A recent article in The Hollywood Reporter suggests that while box office and ticket sales figures are up since last year, adult audiences are shying away from the cinema due to the global recession. As a result, the younger audiences Monsters Vs. Aliens), which can be attrib- of Bolt and the superior, Monsters Vs. Aliens.

Photograph by Rachel Lake

who are attending films on opening weekend have become the demographic major studios are catering to. There are, however, a couple of recent technological enhancements that may be capable of drawing the adults back to the cinema, while still keeping the kids enthralled. Though 3D has been around for a few years, it was originally confined to theme parks (Honey, I Shrunk the Audience) and a select few IMAX screens capable of showing films in the third dimension. However, in a short period of time, there has been an explosion of multiplex cinemas now refitted to show a new wave of fully 3D films. Most of these have been animated (Bolt,

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uted to the expense of shooting live 3D films. However, there have also been live documentaries which act as a cheaper alternative. Example of 3D live documentaries include U2, released in 2008 and The Jonas: The 3D Concert Experience, released in February 2009. But is 3D technology an attractive novelty gimmick to get bums on seats, giving cinemas an excuse to charge extra on the price of a ticket in exchange for a pair of 3D glasses? Or does 3D genuinely have something to offer? As always, new tools should be used to strengthen the storytelling, not detract from it. Disney has preserved a solid story while wrapping it in 3D with the likes

Other films lacking a strong story have not faired quite so well. For example, Fly Me to The Moon 3D, which boasted being the, “first ever animated movie created for 3D” reaching $14m USD in Northern America didn’t measure up to Bolt ($115m USD) and Monsters Vs. Aliens ($175m USD). Although a great deal of 3D content is marketed to a children’s audience (save the schlock horror My Bloody Valentine 3D) there are films in the pipeline to reel back the recession-fearing adult audience, made by seasoned professionals. James Cameron is a name synonymous with technological advancements in film. He pushed the boundaries of CGI in Terminator 2:

Perhaps in the future it would be possible for special screenings with a real-time commentary by cast or crew to be broadcast live. Judgement Day and Titanic, still the biggest grossing films to date of all time. Cameron’s latest, the sci-fi epic Avatar, has been shot fully in digital 3D, as will his next project, Battle Angel. He has been quoted as saying that he believes 2D cinema to be dead, and that 3D will replace it as the medium of choice. With over 2000 screens now converted to display 3D film, his opinion is not without weight. One factor that may detract from the faith in 3D technology is the glasses that make the visual trick possible. A number of audience members of all ages suffer from visual impairment and require glasses on a daily basis. The 3D glasses vs. everyday glasses battle during the movie can prove to be quite tiresome for the viewer and take away from the film altogether. However, there are companies at work trying to develop a 3D screen that requires no visual aid in the future. W hat can be clearly seen, however, is how the method of film distribution and projection changes cinema going for adults. With the fall in price of HDD storage space in recent years, the cost of storing

a complete digital print would be dramatically less than its current celluloid equivalent. There are also plans for cinemas to download the films from distributor networks, cutting out any physical delivery package and fees. However, there are drawbacks in the cost of converting current theatres to digital as well as purchasing digital projectors. Digital projectors not only cost four or five times as much as traditional film projectors, but also have a greatly reduced lifespan because of the exponential growth of modern technology. But how does digital distribution and projection affect cinemagoers, particularly an adult–centric audience? For one, digital distribution would be advantageous to independent or art–house films that draw interest primarily from a mature demographic. These films and their financiers are often unable to afford large print runs and as a result, films are limited to a small number of venues. However, with a digital screen a film could potentially be shown on many more screens. Digital systems would also allow cinemas to show alternative, adult targeted content such as live sports events. Also, in 2006

the Metropolitan Opera started its, “Live in HD” series, broadcasting their operas worldwide. Digital systems also allow for movie exclusive content. For example, most recently in London, cinema audiences attending a special preview of State of Play were treated to a live broadcast of a Q&A session with the film’s director, Kevin MacDonald. Perhaps in the future it would be possible for special screenings with a real-time commentary by cast or crew to be broadcast live simultaneously, in the same way as commentary on DVD works. The sub–cultural events mentioned are for niche audiences and whether 3D will prove to be the draw that brings back a healthy adult demographic to the cinema screen is yet to be determined. More likely, it will be up to the studios making high– quality films with intellectual scripts that will entice adults to part with their hard– earned cash in return for a truly engaging, two–hour story telling experience.

– pb

Photograph by Nugunslinger

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N legalize

OR CRIMINALIZE by Sandra Blawat

Green shirts, dread locks, bongs,

weed, flags, and herbs. These items belonged to thousands of people who came together to participate in the Global Marijuana March on May 2 at Queens Park. Within the pink and blue spray-painted streets of Toronto, lays an underground culture joined together by the ritual smoking of a natural herb called marijuana. This illegal substance has been generally popularized throughout the media in negative images for many years. However, many people from Toronto and surrounding areas got together to smoke marijuana in the Global Marijuana March and enjoyed doing so without being named criminals. This annual event gave a chance to thousands of those who attended

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it without any fear of persecution with an attempt to legalize the substance and to come out from hiding. One female who came with six friends explained, “Its one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. The first real feeling of freedom. Everyone’s so proud.” Although a fantastical and short-lived experience, the march presents many possible challenges. It is celebrating the use of an illegal substance, potentially putting criminals on the street. But this debate is kept aside as it is only for one day that people are able to participate and witness a culture so wrongfully judged. The marijuana haze does have a place in history. In the 70s there was Woodstock, where individuals smoked proudly while being a

part of a counter-culture movement. Now there’s a Global Marijuana March, a chance for redemption and change. Change doesn’t come too easily though. Governments constantly face a subculture that strongly lobbies for marijuana and its apparent abuses. Although the battle to prohibit marijuana is currently in favour of those who don’t support it, the Global Marijuana annual event is still popular and will continue for years to come. No need for marchers to hold their breaths, because next year, thousands more will walk proudly with their pipes, gas-mask bongs, and herb in hand.

– rr

Non-Linear Layers An Interview with Esteban Powell Loved by fans for playing the out going former addict, Arnie Swenton on A&E’s hit show, The Cleaner with Benjamin Bratt, Esteban Powell is loving life and keeping busy, “with 50 different things.” In addition to acting, Powell is a behind the scenes man and works on developing projects for TV and film with his production company, The SoundFilm Company. by Abdi Olow

A fan of the creative world, Texas born Powell has been acting since sixteen. He has since appeared on numerous hit TV shows (Monk, CSI, Gilmore Girls, Beverly Hills 90210 and Level 9) and classic films such as Dazed and Confused and Powder. Right in the middle of filming for the highly anticipated second season of The Cleaner, Powell took the time to speak with us about his work. He gives us the background scoop on The Cleaner’s upcoming season featuring guest star Whoopi Goldberg, his character Arnie Swenton, recent behind the scenes work, and working in Canada. You play Arnie Swenton, how did this role come to you? Robert Munic, who is a wonderful friend of mine, wrote a really beautiful piece and asked me to do an initial table read, long before the pilot was even shot, before Ben came on board. He said the role was a very good fit and so I did the reading and then had to forget about it for about 14 months before I heard that the pilot was going to shoot. And then I had to still go through the audition process which totalled about five more reads with the other producers and the director David Semel. I remember meeting Warren Boyd at that final meeting who said the most encouraging thing to me. He said, “Man, you are the guy... seriously, you are perfect.” When it was in the final stages of testing, they brought me back into the room to re–read a scene with Ben and I was afraid they were going to rip me apart with notes. When Ben looked at me over the pages with a room full of execs

sitting behind him (while) I was waiting for him to start the scene… he started laughing and said, “Congratulations kid, you got the role.” Addiction seems to be a big issue for our generation, crossing class, social and racial barriers. Some have even called us the pharmaceutical generation; addiction does not discriminate. Why do you think the show has resonated with audiences with its particular stance on addiction? I think a lot of audiences can relate to the message that pretty much comes through the show when dealing first and foremost with addiction and also coping, human interactions… the ability to listen to one another and dealing especially in those moments of crisis. Everybody has a story of somebody dealing with an addiction whether it be drinking, drugs, or a lot of the topics we deal with on the show. I think the humanity… the human element and the interaction of these broken people dealing together and as well as helping these addicts is very compelling. What can we expect from the highly anticipated second season of The Cleaner (premiering in June on A&E)? Oh my god, (the) second season is awesome; I am really excited about this

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season. You know a lot the times when people start watching a show for the first time it’s usually on their second season. This is good because audiences who haven’t seen the show, they’ll be dropped in the middle of really, really compelling stories. (As well) in the level of depth we go into in terms of characters and the different episodes (the show) cover(s) a lot of grounds both personally for the characters and the people they come in contact with. I would say it’s definitely a more exciting season. Can you tell us about The Cleaner’s new season and new stars? We’ve had some amazing g uest stars this year, Gary Cole, Whoopi Goldberg, Shirley Jones and really amazing character actors. We also have a lot other… big names dropping. What do you love about your character and the show? I love playing my character because I can relate to him in real life scenarios, his warrant and drive to help people is something I respect. I love him because he’s smart and funny. At times he can be very strong and motivated and the other times, he is very flawed and that’s a beautiful thing to be able to play with as an actor and to create character imperfection through the use of dialogue and timing. I think he is very emotive. It takes a certain amount of will to be able to maintain sobriety and that for me is an exemplary quality and being able to use your will and actualize it, I relate to him in that sense. I also like him because he is very funny and super–likable. I appreciate getting to share that with the audience, that side of my personality (that Arnie Swenton shares) they may

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not regularly see. You know on the street I don’t laugh with everybody and I don’t make jokes. Some people tend to be very outwardly with their personality, I am the type of person you know, not instantaneously w ith ever ybody although I would like to be. With Arnie, I can show the side of my personality people don’t get to see everyday. You have worked in Canada before, can you tell us about your experiences working here? I love Vancouver and was lucky enough to catch a show that was shot up there so I spent 6 amazing months living in the downtown area. It is still one of my favourite cities in the world. I spent a summer working in Montreal and have yet to find another city that appreciates warm weather quite like Montreal. The Toronto International Film Festival was my first experience of Toronto, quite a lovely Metropolis and I wish I could have spent more time there. A lot of my best Canadian friends call Toronto home and I love the vibe and people there.

What are you working on right now? Like 50 different things. I keep my self very busy as it helps me to stay creative. If I get too relaxed it becomes comfortable and I don’t believe at my stage in life that comfortable is very exciting or conducive to tapping into a pure creative flow that people find themselves in when they are complacent with their being. There was the impression among your fans for a while that you were British, do you know why people thought that? I’ve played a Brit a couple of times on TV and in some Indies and had lots of voice and diction training... maybe it was something they saw or maybe my accent was just on point. I’m not really sure why people may have thought that about me, I’ve been told that a Texas drawl can sound like a British accent sometimes.

Apart from your acting I know that you also enjoy working behind the scenes. You even have a produc tion company T he SoundFilm Company? I developed a lot of structure for online content and short form media because I felt very strongly about the future of new media. I was so into it that I was offered a job at Nickelodeon developing a lot of their online content for live action properties. That’s where my company started and now we are working on developing other projects for TV and new media as well as a movie or two. What type of stories do you like to explore? Adventures definitely, I love futuristic takes on the human experience, what it will be like in the year 2209 and anything that has a relatable quality rooted in emotionally driven story telling.

You’re on Twitter just like everyone else. What do you like about Twitter? It has all the benefits of talking to random people that MySpace has but with less information that causes people to get weird.

Do actors watch TV shows? What’s your favourite show on TV right now? I really enjoy watching World’s Deadliest Catch and poker programs.

Your Twitter name (Estebanics) is cool, how did you come up with it? I feel like when I talk it can be hard for people to follow. I think in a very non linear fashion and sometimes I can lose people in my stream of thought and so I thought it was fitting.

– pb Watch Esteban Powell on The Cleaner and talk non–linearly with him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/estebanics

The Future Looks Bright An Interview with Paula Brancati I was a huge fan of Degrassi Junior High back in the 80s. Characters like platinum-blonde, ‘Spike’ well-intentioned trouble-maker, ‘Joey’, his cute buddy ‘Snake’, good girl, ‘Caitlin’ and a host of other unforgettable and diverse personalities gave me identities and experiences I could relate to. by Shazia Islam

Each week, I tuned in to witness the role models such as Paula, whose positive character’s foibles and triumphs realistically captured by writers, Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood. It is no surprise that the show’s popularity has not waned with the creation of Degrassi: The Next Generation, now in its eighth season. The makers have preserved the diversity of the cast and present stories about kids from all walks of life, thus making the show uniquely Canadian. The success of Degrassi is in part due to the likeability and talent of the characters. Paula Brancati plays, ‘Jane’, a no-nonsense, strong-willed young woman who knows what she wants. Jane faced one of her biggest hurdles this season when she tried out for the proverbial, all-male football team. Due to her indomitable spirit, Jane made the team. Her success sent out a powerful, “Yes, we can!” message to young female viewers and for any teen who wants inclusion. Paula picked up a lot of her acting chops at the CharActors Theatre Troupe located in Thornhill. There, she received the training and wisdom she needed to prepare for a career in the performing arts; wisdom being the operative word. The industry isn’t always a warm and inviting place for child actors. The lives of young actors are often splashed across tabloids as they struggle to work in a niche industry that places too much value on physical appearance and wealth. Addictions and eating disorders coupled with public intrusion on their private lives can be a genuine reality for many young celebrities. However, all is not gloom and doom for our young stars. There are many strong

outlook and easy-going nature demonstrate leadership in the acting industry. I had a fabulous talk with Paula and am proud to disclose what this bright, young, Canadian star is all about! Here’s some of what she shared: When did you know that acting was what you wanted to do? When I was 14 and doing my first series: Blobheads. Being on the set consistently, I got to know my character really well and grew to love the experience. What were some of the challenges you faced in trying to make a name for yourself in the industry? Did you have any mentors or people who inspired you along the way? I am very content with all aspects of my life. My parents and brother are my number one support. In fact, my parents encouraged me to try everything, they didn’t push me in any way and supported my choices. Also, my music and vocal teacher, and the director and musical director at CharActors all encouraged young people to embrace theatre. What I learned from them is that this business is the right business for you if you can’t see yourself doing anything else and (also) how important it is to follow your passion. Speaking of music, you are also a classicallytrained musician in piano and voice. Yes, I love singing and playing piano. I’d like to get an ARCT at the Royal Conservatory a nd I rea l ly enjoy w r it i ng ly r ics a nd

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expressing myself through music. Some of my favourite songs to sing are And So It Goes by Billy Joel, Seasons of Love from RENT and Lover, You Should Come Over by Jeff Buckley. I’m in the process of putting together a demo. Do your musical talents influence the kind of projects you’re interested in? Would you like to do more musical theatre and less TV and film work? They’re both so different from each other; I completely love both of them. You get to experience two different worlds and each one gives you the opportunity to incorporate the things you love—you become a triple threat. Nothing’s better or worse, they’re just different. You’ve just finished playing the lead in the Ross Petty production of Cinderella and you also got a chance to perform in Shakespeare’s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. What was it like? A Midsummer Night’s Dream was my professional theatre debut. It was so great! I was working alongside some very talented actors. I would love the opportunity to do more Shakespeare. Cinderella was a lot of fun and again, I worked with some great actors. It made me want to go back to theatre. As a matter of fact, I’ll be in a theatre production called Dog Sees God, which opens on March 13th at Six Degrees Club. I play Lucy, a pyromaniac who’s been committed in an asylum. Can you tell me about your character, ‘Jane’ on Degrassi? The characters and their experiences were so real. Well, I like to pursue roles that challenge me like this one. I don’t want anything to be easy. It has to be edgy and I like to be part of projects that help kids. My character, ‘Jane’ knows what she wants. She doesn’t conform to labels and doesn’t make apologies for that. She’s a bit of a loner but is very loyal to

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the friends she does have. She’s strong and independent, definitely someone I could relate to. What do you like about the roles you play? ‘Jane’ is a strong female who’s my age. Also, I play ‘Jenny’ in Being Erica, which is a fun role to play. I play her friend in the 90’s and then play the same character (when they are) 30 years old, which is another challenge in itself! She’s the fun, crazy, wild, single girlfriend. And of course, there’s my upcoming performance as, ‘Lucy’ in Dog Sees God. We look at Canadian talents like Jim Carrey, Mike Myers and Rachel McAdams who have all become big in Hollywood. How do you measure your success? I’d love to stay in the business and just kind of get in there, experiment with all aspects – write, direct, but at my own pace. Do things that you’re passionate about when the time’s right. In this business, you have to put in the work yourself and feel like you left it all on the stage. Meaning you put your best foot forward? Yes, and you have to be forward thinking and really sell yourself. The key is not measuring yourself at all, everyone’s path is so unique, just keep pursuing things to better yourself. There’s a lot of pressure placed on women to be supermodel thin and beautiful. Have you ever felt that kind of pressure? Do you think the industry has a responsibility to counter these images through TV shows like Degrassi? I’ve never felt that pressure and it’s indicative of the people I surround myself with. My body is my body. We all have insecurities but it’s important to embrace what you are. Teens put Hollywood on a pedestal and it’s so easy to read about other people but you just feel so far removed. Definitely, actors do have that responsibility, not to succumb to those pressures.

What concerns you most about the world? The amount of hate, it’s disconcerting. It all starts from the top. Leaders like Obama, people in the public eye and leaders in our schools can set a positive example. Some of the Degrassi teens volunteered for the Free the Children charity….and what I learned was that even if you don’t have enough money, there are ways to help out our communities. How do you juggle your acting career with your everyday life—or do you even have a ‘normal’ life? I just make the effort. I make time for the people in my life—always let them know that I’m thinking of them. W hen I was younger, it was quite daunting; trying to figure out how to juggle my career with my personal life but I’m fortunate enough to have a tight circle of friends and family who have been very supportive. Do you have any words of advice for young people wanting to get into the business? Be persistent if this is what you really want. Trust your gut; your instincts. Know where your passions lie and follow through. Thank you, Paula, for sharing your time with FutuReale. Paula also talked about positive energy and how books like The Secret and Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth make a positive impact on our consciousness and create good energy to spread around the world. We’ll suffice it to say, Paula Brancati has the intelligence, talent and integrity to do just that simply by taking on roles that captivate and inspire. Paula and the young women she portrays show us that youth can make a very big and meaningful difference. I’ll be rooting for Paula as she scores a touchdown for Degrassi and beyond.

– pb

Director J.J. Abrams Writers Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman “Live long and prosper,” the

infamous Vulcan line from the television and film franchise, could have, until recently, been an accurate description of the series. From Star Trek: The Original Series in 1966, it has spawned five other television series, eleven films—including Star Trek (2009)—as well as hundreds of books, comics and computer games. However, when t he mov ie ma nt le was passed from Kirk’s crew to Picard’s, there was a shift in quality. Nearly all the Next Generation movies, perhaps with the exception of First Contact, were akin to a two-part television episode. With number 10, Nemesis, falling foul of the even numbered Trek movie curse (as well as poor direction and screenplay), and the prequel television series Enterprise being received with lukewarm disdain, it seemed to be the final frontier for the franchise. Step in J.J. Abrams and his creative team. Rather than attempt to promote one of the other television series spin-offs to movie status, they went back to basics. They show Kirk, Spock and all during their early career paths, their known histories forever altered by the time-travelling villain, Nero. But rather than break completely free of the prime timeline, Leonard Nimoy returns as Spock, in the same way William Shatner handed over the reigns to Patrick Stewart in Generations. However, here the transition feels more integral to the actual story, a tale of revenge that spans time, galaxies, races and planets.

But can there be a Kirk without Shatner? A Bones with DeForest Kelley? The answer is that this is the crew of the Enterprise, just not as we know it. Almost all the main cast manage to capture the essence of their older/ newer selves, while bringing something distinctly new to the equation, notably Simon Pegg as Scotty. But this is perhaps the point of the story as well as the very idea of rebooting the franchise with a younger cast— these are not the same characters, who have all been influenced by the change brought around by Nero’s alteration to the timeline. As he himself says, “James Kirk was a great man, but that was another life.” However, the lack of the familiar, and perhaps the fact that this is their first group outing, means the chemistry between the mains does not sit as well at ease as with the original cast. The biggest change besides the cast members are the visual elements. Not only are the dazzling effects showing the kind of space battles usually reserved for Star Wars, but the style of the entire film, glazed with lens flares (an effect borrowed from the TV show Fringe, which Abrams, Orci and Kurtzman collaborate on), is different as well. The Enterprise looks sleeker than ever, the bridge resembles an Apple store, while the inner workings of the ship, notably the engine room, looks like that of a subma rine. Abrams also plays with the framing, particularly the shots in space, to emphasise the story being told. For example, when the Enterprise hits warp, the new

by Andrew Rainnie effects push the idea of speed and immediacy, borrowing slightly from the original Star Wars when the Millennium Falcon punched into hyper drive (ironically, something dropped from the newer prequels). The draws from Star Wars are not unnoticeable; the shots of Kirk on Earth with the spaceship yard a vague, large outline in the distance echoing a young Luke Skywalker on Tatooine. However, the film also cannibalises from its own canon and the movie is littered with various references and injokes for fans. As for the non-Trek crowd that the film is also designed for, there is an engaging, fun, action-filled story, that at times, relies far too much on coincidence. Yet, even with the dramatic increase in bud get and action, it still feels like Star Wars Lite. While it improves upon what has come before, it still lacks a sense of the universe and travel, as most of the action keeps the characters enclosed on spaceships, unlike some of the best in the franchise, Wrath Of Khan or A Voyage Home. In the end, this is as successful a reboot as Batman Begins, and there is strong hope that the creative cast and crew can build upon that to keep the Trek universe alive. There is some sadness at wiping the slate clean with a new, time-altered history, but given the crippled state that Nemesis left it in, this is perhaps for the best.

– sa

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Director Gavin Hood Writers David Benioff & Skip Woods This prequel to the X-Men Trilogy,

focus es solely on the mutant who is best at what he does, but what he does isn’t very nice . Wolverine, the character, was originally created by Len Wein and John Romita Sr. in 1974, but owing his fan favourite status to the detailed development by the likes of Chris Claremont, John Byrne, Frank Miller and Paul Jenkins, the filmmakers were faced with the unenviable task of uncoiling over three decades of storylines and cutting it down to a two hour movie. It does not help that they opted to place this film within the same universe as the original X-Men Trilogy, confining themselves to fixed details rather than re-envisaging the character in a similar vain to Batman Begins. The story begins in the mid 1800s, when the boy (Logan) who will be Wolverine manifests his mutant powers for the first time after the death of his father, using his bone claws to exact revenge, only to discover the man he has killed is his biological father. Logan’s biological father has another son, Victor Creed who decides to protest the young boy, and together they run away, sticking together through the ages and the wars they fight in, until Vietnam, where they are recruited by General William Stryker to join a covert CIA team, Team X. However, Logan is troubled by the violent missions, and opts to leave both the team and his brother. Years later, Logan, now a lumberjack living with girlfriend Kayla Silverfox, is devastated when she is killed

at Creed’s hand, and starts on a path of revenge that will see him transformed into the metal clawed beast Wolverine. The film is a mixed bag; some of the art direction works beautifully, with praise to Hood and editors, Nicolas De Toth and Megan Gill for the well conceived opening credit sequence. However, in other places, for example, when Wolverine leaves Team X, it is reminiscent of some of Marvel’s dismal adaptations such as Elektra. This is an essential moment of the film, when two brothers part company after a century together, yet it is passed over too quickly to allow any emotion to resonate with the audience or the characters. The pacing is one of the major flaws in the film, as if the filmmakers struggled with the weight of the burden upon them, and hastily rushed through key scenes, while allowing other, rather mundane ones to play out. The writers have also had to try to please the Marvel fan base by littering the film with

cameos and in-jokes. While some may raise a smile or nod of acknowledgement, fans will ultimately be left cold by how quickly well-loved characters disappear, or the disdain with which they have been handled. Perhaps the writers should have focusing on structuring a solid, well-paced story based around Wolverine himself, rather than writing what is essentially, an X-Men prequel. Although Jackman has perfectly captured the physical essence of Logan (otherwise known as Wolverine) for the fourth time,

by Andrew Rainnie the prequel afforded him, as both actor and now producer, the opportunity to flex the character, and show him beyond the PG-13 friendly action hero. The lack of any great f laws at the beginning of the film compounds the failings of the storyline. Why, if Logan is so against violence to start with, does he justifies defending his brother who tried to rape a Vietnamese woman and then killed a superior officer who stopped him? Why does he accept Stryker’s offer to take a place on Team X, and what is it that he actually does on the team? They have Sabretooth for killing with bare hands, Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) for killing with swords and added witty banter, Agent Zero (Daniel Henney) to kill with guns. And this is the fatal crux. The writers have tried to take the movie version of Wolverine created in Bryan Singer’s X-Men, and place him within the history of the comic version of Wolverine, a world that can afford to be much darker. They could have shown the character being destructive and bloodthirsty without being slapped with a studiogrimacing R-Rating. Given the richness of Wolverine’s background that accords him so many fans, it is slightly disappointing to find that his solo film is little more than generic popcorn summer stuffing that is, ironically given Wolverine’s later amnesia, immediately forgettable.

– sa

Collaborating with Canadians by Kevin Grubbe

Award winning, highly acclaimed, and best selling are just a few of the terms often used to describe novelist Kevin J. Anderson. He has published dozens of books in a variety of genres. Covering everything from Afterimage to X-Files, Anderson has written over 100 novels. It is astounding how he still finds inspiration, but he shows no signs of slowing down as three new projects are soon to be released.

Living in Colorado, Anderson

spends his mornings outdoors capturing the majority of his writing with a small voice recorder. Later in the day he transcribes the recording into written word to dazzle readers around the globe. Anderson took some time out of his hectic schedule to update us on his forthcoming projects and provide an inside look at the motivation and techniques behind his work. Describe Terra Incognita and how it ’s unique when compared to anything else on bookshelves? After finishing my seven volume science fiction epic, The Saga of Seven Suns, I turned to a complex fantasy that’s been on my back burner for many years—sailing ships, sea monsters, the crusades, the Age of Discovery, the search for Prester John…all set in a fantasy world that looks very much like 1400’s Europe and Asia Minor. This is a big story with a great deal of passion, stories and characters and themes that mean a great deal to me.

What was the inspiration for the Roswell Six project? For Terra Incognita, we’re doing a unique crossover project that (as far as I know) has never been done before in fiction and music. I have always believed that SF/F fans and rock music fans share a great deal of interests. So, working with ProgRock Records, I have created a rock music CD companion to the novel, The Edge of the World. I wrote all the lyrics with my wife, bestselling author Rebecca Moesta, for the 13 tracks on the CD, which adapt one storyline from the novel. I also wrote original connective text in the CD booklet, which has interior illustrations by multiple Hugo–winning artist, Bob Eggleton. The music itself was written by accomplished keyboardist Erik Norlander, and we’ve got performances from some of the greatest names in progressive rock. James LaBrie of metal band, Dream Theater (living in Toronto) and Michael Sadler of rock band, Saga (based in Los Angeles) are among the vocalists for the new album. With

such a wide range of musical styles, tell us the factors involved in choosing a diverse compliment of artists, especially given the geographical distance. The best part? These were people whom I loved listening to, whose CDs are on my shelf. With Shawn Gordon (the executive producer at the record label), we put together our, “wish list” and I was amazed to discover that many of my favorite musicians were also fans of my writing. Because this is such a unique project, epic fantasy novel and epic rock CD, they were all excited to be involved. Share your motivation for dedicating Terra Incognita: the Edge of the World to prominent Canadian Neil Peart of Rush. Neil Peart’s lyrics have inspired my writing for many years; my first novel, Resurrection, Inc., is based on the Rush album, Grace Under Pressure. Because of that connection, Neil has been a friend of mine for almost two decades, and we had previously discussed doing a book/CD crossover, but our schedules never quite meshed. Still, because

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of all the inspiration his work has given me, and all the years we’ve known each other, I felt that I wanted to thank him, particularly in this special book. Will there be another CD to accompany the sequel Terra Incognita: The Map of All Things? We have a l l been lov i ng t h is project immensely, and there’s a very good likelihood we’ll do it again, but because of the caliber of talent on the Terra Incognita CD, many members are off on concert tours of their own or working on new CDs. As I write this, we are just about to finish the mixing on the CD tracks…but I’m nearly finished writing the second novel already. The timing doesn’t make sense to do it for every novel, but I definitely want to do it again. Is there any word of a Canadian book tour for any of your forthcoming titles? This August for Winds of Dune, Brian Herbert and I plan to be in Toronto. I’ve also appeared in Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver on my own. We certainly hope to do it more often; we have a huge Canadian fan base. In your newest novel, Enemies and Allies, you take us back to the 1950’s when Superman first met Batman. There are so many different versions of Batman as well as Superman, how do you determine which is canon, and more importantly, are you concerned that Enemies and Allies might get lost among the many other works already on the market? Last year I published The Last Days of Krypton, the never–before–told story of the end of Superman’s home planet, and that really struck a chord with the fans. It’s a big science fiction epic, with many familiar elements from the DC Universe. Enemies and Allies is a similar never–before– told story of the very first encounter of two of the greatest heroes in comics history. By setting it in the 1950s and the Cold War, there’s a whole different flavor to the story, and already the initial response has been

even more overwhelming than for Krypton. This is an idea that clicks with the public mindset, and it’s far different from the standard, “superheroes fight the villains” story. Having written several original novels as well as many, “shared universe” works, which do you enjoy writing more and why? It’s not really a choice, since I do both. I have written many Star Wars, X-Files, and

Dune novels. My greatest current success is the Dune series I’ve cowritten with Brian Herbert, and I find them exhilarating and the fans and critics love them. On the other hand, my original series The Saga of Seven Suns has been the most popular and bestselling of my non-media novels, and I consider it my masterpiece. In the Terra Incognita trilogy I’m trying to push the ambition even further. In truth, I’m a fan at heart

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Edge of the World in June and The Winds of Dune novel in August, and considering the current economic downturn, do you have any concerns about releasing so many projects so close together? What’s my other alternative, to stop writing? Stories continually come into my head, and I truly enjoy the writing process. I have a great many fans, and I know they buy plenty of books. My job as a writer is to keep delivering the great stories and invigorating entertainment they expect, and then they’ll keep picking up what I produce. Some of my fans read only Dune, only Star Wars, only X-Files . . . many of them cross over and read anything with my name on it. No matter what the economy looks like, if they feel I’ve given them their money’s worth, they’ll come back. And considering other options, books themselves really are a good value for the dollar spent. Do you find it difficult to keep yourself motivated with such a busy schedule, are there any days you wonder if it’s worth it all? What I find difficult is to discover enough hours in the day to do all the things I want to do. I have enough projects in my head to keep me busy for the next two hundred years. Writer’s block? Who in the world has time for writer’s block?

and I love playing in some of my favorite science fiction universes, but I also really enjoy creating my own universes and stories. In shared universe projects, such as Star Wars, you use a guide of some description (along) with established rules for that particular series; do you create a similar guide for your own original fiction?

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I always develop a large and extensive, “bible” for my original projects – for Seven Suns it reached hundreds of pages in length; for Terra Incognita, I’m adding to it almost daily. There’s a great deal of detail work just keeping track of all the subtle changes and additions you make with each chapter or section you write. With the Roswell Six CD in late April, Enemies and Allies in early May, Terra Incognita: the

Many of your books are critically acclaimed, but do any of them hold a particular place in your heart as a favorite? The new one, of course. That’s not meant to be a facetious response—with each novel I try to get better, to do something more extensively, to study something deeper. I really think Terra Incognita is the best thing I’ve done; before that The Saga of Seven Suns was the peak of my ability. I just hope I keep the readers coming back for more. I have no doubt you’ll continue to inspire and delight fans for many years to come. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us.

– pb

Dovetail Three young men three instruments three talents

one band

by Leviana Coccia

Introducing Dovetail, a Richmond

Hill band devoted to playing rock music at small venues and consisting of three inspirational musicians; Eric Brown, vocalist and guitar, Alexander Kehm, bass, and Michael Capello, drums. All three began their music careers as children, “My mom taught me how to play the piano when I was four and I’ve been playing the bass since grade eight,” said Kehm. He and the other members began playing their main focus instrument all in the same grade. “My first were the drums. I saw my dad playing them and then he started to teach me,” expressed Capello. Capello began learning to play the drums at the age of four but started a serious focus in grade eight, just as his other band members. Brown explains, “I taught myself how to play guitar for a year and I’ve had two teachers for the past three years. I was actually wandering in my basement and saw a guitar case when I asked my dad what it was. He played for me and then I started to fool around with it.” Kehm and Capello started playing together in grade eight as well. “It was just a bass and drum duet thing. We started finding other musicians and then we found Eric Brown,” explained Kehm. For Brown, Dovetail is the second band he has played in, whereas Kehm and Capello, it is their first. Brown’s

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I was actually wandering in my basement and saw a guitar case when I asked my dad what it was. He played for me and then I started to fool around with it. - Eric Brown

current influences include The Tragically Hip, Eric Clapton, and Doyle Bramhall II. Describing his original influence he said, “The band that influenced me was the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I really loved them and started playing.” Kehm’s inspirations include Trent Reznor, Chuck D, and Noel Gallagher. “My first influence was Metallica’s Master of Puppets album. It was the first album I ever bought and I wanted to replay the magic,” Kehm said. Capello’s influences include Dream Theatre, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Foo Fighters. He describes, “My dad and his music got me into similar music. He always listened to the Beatles.” Combining all of their favourites, Brown, Kehm and Capello have come together to create a new band with a new sounds, which is how they got the name Dovetail. “I came up with [Dovetail]. It’s from my favourite book. It’s a memoir by Sting. He uses it a lot to describe the events in his life,” Kehm said. Capello went on to explain that the name defines how he and his band members put their different musical influences and tastes together. Not only is the band unique but they are also aspiring musicians. Dovetail is hoping to be played on the radio one day. Capello wants to be at, “the top, the very top,” for a relatively long period of time. His main goal, however, is to be on the radio. Brown hopes to be playing in a blues festival. He went on to say, “Crossroads, that’d be pretty sweet.” Kehm explains that he doesn’t, “…want to be signed to a label, or a major label. The industry’s changing. It would make sense if we were pop artists but we need other media for publication.” When not playing music, Brown and Capello explore other hobbies. “I like doing martial arts and any kind of sports really. And acrobatics,” Capello said. Brown explains his interests, “I think my other hobby is cooking. I’ve learned how to cook gourmet foods.” When asked what he enjoyed doing when not playing music, Kehm said that he just plays music.

– sa More information on Dovetail can be found on Myspace and Facebook. YouTube clips will be available in the near future.

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Toronto Residents Fight for Small Towns Your paddle awakens tiny insects resting on a lily pad. Long grass tickles your cheek. You reach down to drink clear, untouched water straight from the river while up ahead, a moose also has a sip while the orange sky turns blue. This moment is one of the many

breathtaking experiences of the Ontario Ranger Program. Funded by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ontario Ranger Program is an eight week summer experience program designed for 17 year olds to make an environmental difference. In most cases, participants living in Northern Ontario will work in Southern Ontario and vice versa in order to break from their usual and comfortable lifestyles. Across Ontario the Ranger Program is comprised of 13 camps, occupying 25 to 40 Rangers at a time. “Some people feel at home when they’re in the city, but I’m the entire opposite,” said Torontonian Kiersten Elford, a former Ranger at Cedarbough

2005 (Sioux Lookout/Ojibway Provincial Park), and Assistant Sub-Supervisor Staff at Sleeping Giant 2007 (Provincial Park/ Thunder Bay). “Before I went to Rangers, I had no clue that there was that kind of place in Ontario... it’s just so natural!” Elford also commented how in comparison with Toronto, the cleanliness of Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout and surrounding area was remarkable. When Elford left the Rangers to go home she,“felt like there was so much going on (in Toronto) and it was way too busy.” Her voice grew soft as she said, “It was a carefree life at Rangers. And then you come back here and you’re thrown in this tornado. Everything is going every which way. There is so much going on and there

by Ashley Foley are so many people everywhere. It’s just a very chaotic lifestyle.” Taisa Brown, a Ranger at Mink Lake 2007 (Quetico Provincial Park/Atikokan) described her experience with the Ranger Program. She giggled when she said it was the best experience of her life, “I absolutely loved it...it was a great opportunity…to go up North and…actually be able to work outside.” She complained how Toronto limits her from canoe trips, camping , star gazing , env ironmental awareness and many other aspects the Ontario Ranger Program provided. She further added that, “A ll my friends are from Toronto so it was nice to meet some country girls”.

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Brown described her transition back to the city as, “awful” and “scary”. She said she constantly wanted to be back at camp, go swimming in the lake and look at the stars. “I actually slept outside (in Toronto) on the ground in the grass because I wanted to pretend I was camping,” she managed to say through intervals of giggling. Since attending Rangers, Brown is determined to live in a small, Northern town instead of a big city. Brown wasn’t the only fan of the small town. “At Rangers, people are more relaxed and easy going ,” A manda O’Connor, Ranger at Mink Lake 2007 said. “They’re not so uptight about everything.” She described that while living in a small town, many of the worries and pressures that come with living in Toronto, or any big city, end up fading away. What exactly does the Ranger Program offer to leave such an impression on its participants? A Northern Ranger is required to partake in at least one canoe trip, varying from three to nine days in length where they must rely entirely on the environment and limited supplies brought with them. When not on a canoe trip, participants are at their base camp where they have no TV, no Internet and limited radio service, phone

service, and electricity. Cellphones, iPods, MP3 players, portable DVD players, laptops and other electronics are prohibited. In the absence of such common luxuries, Rangers are not left without, but rather, are provided with, new realizations and appreciations. Elford explains that before she participated in the Ontario Ranger Program, she did not realize the amount of nonrenewable resources wasted in Toronto everyday. She believes that many Torontonians do not know how much of an impact they have on the environment. She says, “I think I’m just aware of things way more than (when) I was living (in Toronto) all the time.” Truly, the effects of the Ontario Ranger Program can be felt long after the finish of the eight week duration. For many, the program is the beginning of a lifelong friendship, an awareness of the environment and even a possible career choice. Without this program, much of the passion in teenage environmental awareness would fade away.

– pb If you know a seventeen year old who may be interested in this program, or for more information about the Ontario Ranger Program, visit http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/ Business/Youth/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_163379.html or call the main office in Peterborough at 1-800-667-1949.

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WALKING ON SUNSHINE

by Shazia Islam

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION & SUMMER FITNESS Toronto is welcoming the first glorious waves of summer Let’s just hope it’s not another unbearable heat wave Technically, it’s spring, but in

this city, spring is a bit indecisive and frequently allows winter’s frosty breath to invade its space with intermittent spells of cool temperatures, even snow, just to mess with our minds. Whatever we choose to call our seasons in T.O., it’s definitely time to throw out the thermal underwear. The flowers are well on their way blooming, people are out mowing their lawns, and the city is buzzing with outdoor events and activities to suit all manner of taste and lifestyle. This is the best time to pull out that New Year’s list of resolutions you conveniently forgot about (from January until now) and perhaps give your number one resolution— the one circled in red, a go. Just what is that resolution that always seems to get the prized, top position on the lists of millions? It certainly isn’t rocket science to figure that one out. You know it and I know it: it’s time to get fit!

There are a myriad ways to get in shape like joining boot camps, fitness clubs, hot yoga classes, hiking, cycling, running, roller-blading, swimming, and playing sports. The key is to do something you enjoy and preferably, to do it outdoors. We spend a lot of our time cooped up indoors because our livelihoods depend on it; you can’t exactly ask your boss if you could work out the details of a million-dollar account in a nearby park! What time we do have to go outside is precious. However, an outdoor walk might not be alluring to many because of a lack of motivation or time. Some people have good intentions and spend loads of money on home treadmills and exercise bikes, but the equipment ends up becoming just another decorative piece covered with potted plants. Indeed, finding time out of a busy schedule to get rid of the hot dog and McD calories rung up on a short lunch break is definitely a challenge in a fast-paced

metropolis such as Toronto. However, there is hope. All we have to do is put one foot in front of the other and walk. Yes, walk! If you live close to where you work you might want to consider walking there. It’s a great way to keep yourself in shape, especially since the weather is getting much more agreeable. Walking has many benefits. Unlike running, it does not cause any strain on your joints and internal organs. Walking allows you to go at your own pace; you can go as slow or as fast as you like. Personally, I think keeping a slower pace gives you a chance to really see the surrounding area and its many faces. Walking slower is common sense as well since accidents tend to be minimal. It’s good to stay cautious and look both ways before crossing an intersection. In Toronto for example, you can also take detours when you’re walking and pass through the lovely neighbourhoods of Toronto to witness fresh leaves and green

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grass on the front lawns of people’s homes. If you have given yourself plenty of time to get to your desired destination, you can even stop to have a coffee or a smoothie, read the paper, and then again, be on your way. Now you’re probably thinking that walking at a turtle’s pace ain’t going to help you get fit any time soon. Actually, getting fit gradually is much better in the long term. If we rush into our exercise routine with the idea that we’re going to lose tons of weight in a few short days, chances are that weight will come back sooner than we think. Besides, we spend most of our days in a rush and our bodies deserve a break after running around. Some of the advantages of walking include: a lower cases of heart disease, a longer life, improved mental and spiritual faculties, regulation of blood sugar levels and an increase in coordination and balance. Health experts always encourage people to walk at least half an hour to 45 minutes a day to improve cardio-vascular health. Furthermore, when we go for a daily stroll, the movement releases endorphins, the ‘ happy’ hormones into our blood stream, a great way to combat anxiety and depression. It can definitely be said that our stress levels have a tendency to escalate when we’re stuck in a traffic jam during rush hour breathing in toxic car fumes. It is no wonder drivers get frustrated, making rear-enders and ending up in accidents. Additionally, walking instead of driving takes care of our stress and the environment!

Lastly, walking is easy and free. You don’t have to make room in your schedule to do it and you don’t need any special equipment. Some water and a comfortable pair of shoes will suffice. Walking isn’t so much an accommodation as it is a benefactor. Walkers get to take the time to greet the people they pass pet dogs, admire Toronto’s architectural wonders, and enjoy the open air and green space. With such nice experiences, a person who walks to work will find when he arrives there, he’s mentally prepared for the day. In a nutshell, if you make a commitment to walk to and from work at least twice a week or even three times a week during the summer months, you’re going to be feeling a lot more fit and fabulous. The New Year’s resolution you made will become effortless and you will be proud of yourself for following through with it and achieving the hardest-to-reach goal. If you would like to walk for a cause, there are plenty of them happening during the next couple of months. To name a few, there is the 6 th Annual K9 Rescue Walk-athon on June 14 from 10 a.m to 12 noon. This event raises awareness of pets in need and in particular, helps abandoned, abused, neglected, and homeless dogs in Ontario. For more information, please visit the website: www.k9rescueme.com. Also, the World Partnership Walk takes place on May 31, an international event organized to raise funds for international development programs. It is a 5K walk and it begins at 10:30 a.m. For more information on how to participate, please visit www.worldpartnershipwalk.com.

Lastly, there is the Walk/Run and Family Fun Day for Colon Cancer also held on May 31. Details can be found on www.coloncancercanada.ca This summer, not only can you check off your number one resolution, but you can also check off a couple of others, including going more, “green” and making the world a better place by helping others. Walking can make a huge impact on our life and our communities. If you want to do something that’ll make you feel good in every way, then walking is the right activity for you!

– rr

Note: Remember that it’s important to do some stretching before and after a particularly long walk.

by Sarah Subnath

Cruising on a budget

When it comes down to planning a vacation, many people shun the idea of taking a cruise

They fear that it may be too expensive

and therefore, not worth looking into. The key thing is to be cautious when spending. With some research, one can find the perfect cruise on a budget. When choosing your stateroom, you don’t have to splurge or pay for a balcony stateroom. Choosing an inside cabin is much cheaper as it’ll save you hundreds of dollars. With so many activities onboard, you would hardly want to be in your stateroom anyway. Another way of getting cheap cruises is to wait till the last minute. If you’re not in a hurry to book and are flexible with your schedule, then waiting for the last minute can get you great deals because this is the time when cruise lines are more desperate to fill up the ship. Since July and August are peak times, therefore it is more expensive to buy a cruise ticket. Cruising in early June or early September would make it much easier to get a good deal. To reduce payments, you can also take a cruise that is shorter, rather than one which lasts 10 or more days. Another point to consider when buying a ticket is the departure location. Try to select a port that is close to home and can be reached by car. Generally speaking, cruises can be a lot better than trips involving hotels or resort vacations for several reasons. When

planning a vacation somewhere, the biggest factor to take into consideration is food. The uncertainities of what you will eat, where to get it and how much it will cost are usually repeated throughout the course of the vacation resulting in a hefty bill at the end. However, a cruise vacation can satisfy your wallet and taste. There, the food is available for everyone for their leisure. To dine more elegantly, cruise ships offer the option of sitdown meal. Sit-down breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are open all day for you. If you don’t feel like leaving your room, meals can be brought to you since many ships provide complimentary room service. Cruise ships offer everything ranging from casual to professional dining, as well as children’s menus and international cuisines. Thus, there is no need to worry about meals. Cruises can appeal to any age group from children to adults depending on their interests and tastes. Toddlers can enjoy painting and singing while teens can enjoy parties, movies, and video games. On the other hand, adults can enjoy musical performances, comedy shows, bars and nightclubs. Of course, you cannot forget the casinos. Each cruise ship allows you to gamble at sea in a stateof-the-art casino, making you feel like you’re gambling right in Las Vegas.

Some people may not like cruises because they only get to spend one day in each city the ship stops at. Although, cruises do take you to multiple destinations, they also allow you to get a taste of different countries and cultures. For example, a European cruise would allow you to go to France, Spain and Italy in just one trip. With cruises, you can visit a number of countries without worrying about paying a series of hotel bills. Sea sickness may also be among the concerns of taking a cruise, but there’s no need to worry about getting nauseous. When you are on a cruise you don’t feel as if the boat is moving, let alone sailing in the ocean. In short, cruising allows you to get your money worth. With fixed prices, you know exactly what you are paying for so there’s no need to predict the cost of food and entertainment. With day-to-day vacation-planning off your mind, you can truly relax and enjoy your vacation. For your next trip, be sure to look at different cruise lines and find the cheapest deals. Remember; don’t limit yourself to one cruise line. By being open to possibilities, you can truly find a cruise vacation that fits your budget.

– rr

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Pennies from Heaven by Dave Proctor

The last time I was at the Canadian National

Photograph by Paul Bannister

Tower I was seven, I keep telling people. Downtown, my day usually begins and ends at Union Station, climbing the staircase to face frosted–grey glass windows hanging over the station doors, like clouds. Walking through the Skywalk, kids are skateboarding, their decks hitting the tiles and echoing like gunshots. Over the great glass ceiling of this narrow pathway looms a fraction of the massive concrete monster. I laugh, calling to memory the scene from Canadian Bacon, watching the movie with my parents, too young to realize the sexual implications of Rhea Perlman chasing the structure across the border. “The tower,” she said, in deep stupefaction. Then I open the door out of the Skywalk and see the whole damn thing, fascinated at the lengths to which my neck must crane to see it all. A low cloud pulls itself in front of the tower’s bulbous crown, revealing everything, showing me all of it. “The tower.” I walk toward it, following a distant, classical–futuristic horn and synth piece, reeking of Expo ‘67 modernism. A few ghost-town concession stands and a dead garden greet me, guiding me to a low (in comparison to the shadow of the Tower) set of doors. Two signs hang over them, one advertising the revolving restaurant, the other indicating where the tower is with a simple picture and an arrow pointing right—directly at the tower. Directions for the near–sighted.

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I remember very little about what it’s like standing in the lobby. My brain places me in a massive foyer with mile high windows and concrete walls. I must have been in the Tower itself. Looking back now I see these are the lies told by very small eyes. The lobby is—likely has always been— this small. Four walls built tightly around me, bland in decoration except for a few flatscreen TVs looping the continuous concrete built three decades ago. I am unimpressed, non-plussed, especially when the woman over the counter hands the ticket along with a choice between watching a short documentary and sitting in on a seatmoving simu-coaster about the Amazon. “Seriously?” I ask. I choose the film, of course. I pay my $29.12 to scale the world’s tallest free-standing structure and leave the girls over the counter to their conversation, hearing them warn fresh tourists like me that visibility is low, approaching zero, and do they still want to go up? I do, but first, I head down a floor. A visit to the gift shop. CN Tower snow globes, tower puzzles, little scale-model towers, shirts proclaiming; “I love the CN Tower,” or “Canada,” or even, “Moose: Visit Canada,” CN Tower pens; CN Tower baseball caps; and maple syrup. Always maple syrup. I pick out a badass Royal Canadian Air Force Roundel T-shirt and head to the cashier. The floor manager, a greying, lanyard wearing man who looks like a, “Glen” asks me where I’m visiting from. “Toronto,” I tell him, forgoing the chance to fake a Scottish accent. “So you’ve never been to the tower?” The cashier asks. I explain to her about how old I was last time I was here. She tells me that it’s easy to take for granted if you live in the city. She hands me my RCAF shirt and finishes with, “but it is really quite amazing.” Another floor down the theatre awaits me. Before the screening I am treated to a light jazz rendition of, “Pennies from Heaven” over the loudspeaker. The room darkens and the film starts: The Height of Excellence. I am the only one in the theatre as it plays me bright mellotron notes, trying to evoke a feeling of wonder through sound and story. A feeling of wonder I must be missing each time I look at the aging structure. But I am alone in the theatre and

free to laugh loudly at penis jokes buried amongst statistics and history. Cables used to “stiffen the structure,” tightening the stability of the “slender shaft.” All of this told to me by a man whose original job title was, “Erection Manager.” And then upstairs I am checked for explosives. Precautions against any attack on the city’s largest TV antenna, (its original purpose now, you know), a security scan which my elevator operator tells me catches most people off guard. “We had a guy in here once shouting at us, ‘whaddaya think you are, the airport?’ And he refused to go through it. So he didn’t go up.” She snickers and hits one of four elevator buttons and we shoot up with a lurch. She’s giving me statistics about how high up we are going (350 metres) and how fast (15 mph) but I go momentarily deaf, slightly awestruck at the shrink ing cit y, the shape of Toronto Island and the ice still locked away in its crowded causeways. My ears pop. She asks if I have any questions. I can see the Beaches. I can see Ontario Place. “When was the first time you came here,” I ask. She replies that she hadn’t been once until she started work ing here five years ago. The first observation deck points out to a g rey–blue sk y with some clouds, t he c i t y ’s b u i ld i ngs: a pa let te of ongoi ng beiges, brow n s, g reen s and blacks. I start spotting things I recognize from the ground. The CBC building, OCAD, Scotiabank Theatre. A GO

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train snakes up the brown landscape like a white worm wriggling through dirt in my hands. I start calling people excitedly and telling them I’m looking for their houses. I re me m be r be i n g s i x a nd watch i ng Superdave Osbor ne jump off the tower, landing in a body-shaped indent in the asphalt below, then being run over by an ambulance. I remember being amazed by the fact that he survived and lived to do the next show. From the glass floor I can see where the camera crews would have stood, where he would have landed. I can make out half the letters on the Rogers Centre. My head spins over this pane of four inch thick plexiglass, but to my chagrin, it doesn’t stretch around the entire obser vat ion deck . I’m a touch d ishea r tened. I hear the frame of the f loor creak imperceptibly beneath my feet and jump of f it the same time as a young boy does. We look at each other and he runs back to his grandmother, a tiny British woman. S he poi nt s out to him the, “ h-white mushroom top” of City Hall, lifting him into the window so he could see it better. He doesn’t. Pressed to t he w i ndow mysel f, I can ha rd ly see it half-obstructed b y t he se m icircle clouds surrounding it. I do a few l aps of t he

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observation deck to see everything I can recognize, from the small cars along the Gardiner to the small people walk ing the star-laden pathway in front of Roy Thompson Hall. So I head down to the elevators and almost miss what, The Height of Excellence called the tallest open air observation deck in the world: The Lower Obser vation Deck. Wind. Loud, pulsing wind. I am ten, sailing across Lake Ontario. From here I ca n’t see much more through the mesh screen than the windows upstairs, but I can smell the clean you can’t smell by the lake. I see a skating rink still open and a strange dinosaur-spotted clump of mini-lawns stretching east of the harbourfront. I still see things I’d never seen before. Heading down, I hear television screens ask me what I intend to do next in Toronto. They suggest a walk up Yonge Street, the longest street in the world. I hear one thick Boston accent remark to another, “Yonge Street’s the lahngest street in the world? Wow.” I stand, waiting for the elevator, amazed that it is possible for people to not know this. The elevator takes us down faster than a military parachute (so the Operator tells us) and unloads us back in the gift shop, amidst more model towers and behind each cash register, a lamp with a familiar shape. The Americans in my elevator submit to perusing the souvenirs, conceding that “at least the exchange rate is good.” I can still feel the weight and buyers remorse of my $30 CAD t-shirt. I leave, heading back to my city the same way I came in, maybe passing more natives to the area that have never been up to see the hidden rink, the snaking GO trains. As I hit Union station I Google the Burj Dubai, set to supplant our tower this September with its staggering 800 metre height, wondering if Torontonians will feel anything for our 32 year run. Or maybe they’ll just walk out of the same station each day, staring down at the same subway grates, the same grey windows and nothing more.

– pb

The Elle Show A Day of Fashion and Beauty exposure to the fashion shows they could still attend the new Cadbury Chocolate Couture Collection in the evening. It was an event gathering much deserved popularity.

Mel issa

Doy le

For a full range of fashion and beauty tips and experiences visit the Elle Show next spring.

icle s by

is a beauty and fashion show full of workshops and events that appeal to all. This year, the show took place on Sat. April 25. The events varied from workshops helping individuals choose the right shoe to finding swimwear that best suits your body. One of the day’s highlights was the Fashion Show. It included designers such as Simon Chang, Renata Morales, Taven & Mitto and Marie St. Pierre. Along with the workshops and fashion show, there were vendors such as YvesRocher, Guerlian and Dermalogica set up in booths. Nadia Mitro, 29, a Demalogica representative, explained the Skin Bar that they had set up at their booth, “Dermalogica is a professional skin care company. Today we are doing a Skin Bar where anyone can sit down with one of our educators and have a skin analysis and face mapping which is one of our key concepts. Someone can talk to our educators and find out about skin concerns they may have.” After the day’s events came to an end if visitors felt like they didn’t get enough

art

The Elle Show, hosted by Elle Magazine,

The Clothing Show A Dialogue With Creativity The Clothing Show took place on and sort of let people know that I am still

around making stuff,” Harris said. Harris then explained how he came up with the name Dialogue. “…I decided on it because when I was first making the hats, they were all custom ordered for whoever was buying them, so I technically had to have a dialogue with them to find out exactly what they wanted and it’s a name that kind of stuck out in my head.” This is Harris’s fourth year in the fashion industry. “I started out making hats for my friends and they were like ‘You should put a name behind this, you know, maybe sell it. It’s pretty cool. You have got a design going on,’ so that’s basically how it started,” Harris said.

With even the employees finding the show a not-to-be missed event, it’s a show worth visiting each year.

– pb

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Photograph by André-Batista

May 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Over these three days, people were able to venture through the Better Living Centre. Sections were divided by designer clothing (brands such as Ed Hardy and Bench), accessories (such as locally made leather belts), street wear, sample sales, eco-friendly and more. One of the booths this year was set up by Trevor Harris, 22, the founder of Dialogue Clothing—a brand of skateboard and snowboard attire. Harris said that this year’s show was the second Clothing Show he has attended. “I work for the show so I was asked to do a booth as well, and I said of course. It’s a good way to get the name out there

I also spoke with Melissa Henry, 22, who has been working with the Clothing Show for four years. She explains that she enjoys working at the Clothing Show because there are a variety of things to look at. “There are a lot of different things here. I love working here because you always find something…that you won’t find somewhere else,” Henry said.

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FRAMED Wide on the watercolour pulling focus crisp to oilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest flares refined delicate details Master shot to extreme close-ups with insets and pickups crane or long, winding dolly steady scrolling rolling rambling flowing capture continuous The edge is skirting storyboard sketches filling moving fleshing living graphic list Vision dialing dilating disbelief suspending the camera never lies copyright Randy Resh 2007

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MOVIE BIZ Clean slate every day they Keep you moving when You’re not bored stiff waiting ...mmm... lighting.... I wear as many hats as wardrobe can supply Fine felt felonious weasel cashmere glitz to average Joe union guy Work boot denim crew coat rawhide stiff More than most actors The hats are spectacular Fine with meI prefer such I like it like this Medical intern hours Every third day I take a shower What’s the feature attraction? Roll sound, roll camera Mark it, Frame and... ACTION! ! ! copyright Randy Resh 2008

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A POET SHOULD BE A poet should be romantic as spring chocolate and cherry mellifluous honey drinking day-lit blossoming Yet a poet should be suspicious jaded wary deepest indigo sour wine poison ice blistering winter night scathing A poet should be loving beyond bewildering passionate so jealously A poet should be spiteful boisterous unbecoming belligerent as unseemly A poet should ever enjoin engage the reader paving pathos ever so eternal most intimate enduringly copyright Randy Resh 2009

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