Downtown London cinemas are taking a journey into the digital world. Over the course of the past couple weeks, both Rainbow Cinemas and Hyland Cinema have been upgrading their theatres in order to screen digital movies. These upgrades have been motivated by a change in industry standards, which are gradually pushing out the use of film stock in favour of digital technology. “I think the transition to digital is a done deal— it’s just a question of how long,” says Michael Raine, a film studies professor at Western. “It’s also happening on the production side—Fujifilm Canada recently announced it will stop making 35mm stock.” The Hyland finished their transition to digital projection during the final week of October. However, they are still fundraising to get enough money to finance the $100,000 transition. Thus far, the London community has only raised $10,000. “[Changing to digital] was more like a deadline,” Dan Meidinger, assistant manager at Hyland Cinema says. “We had no choice in the matter. It was either switch to digital, or eventually [we’re] not able to get movies—more of an ultimatum than a choice.” “The demand for 35mm prints is now very low, so the cost is going up and soon the studios will just stop making new prints available,” Victor Liorentas, projectionist for the Hyland, adds. “The last couple of years have seen film depots—where 35mm prints are stored—close down because the studios who rent these facilities are junking their inventories of classic titles to avoid paying storage costs. They go to the dump—it’s a sad time for film.” While digital film, in general, has a better image than film stock, Liorentas notes the quality of the image is more dependent on the skill of the projectionist, rather than the format of the film. “When good film is done right, projection quality is far superior to current digital. Since most multiplex cinemas were doing film very wrong, digital cinema out of the box is an improvement, but that will fall apart in time,” Liorentas comments. For Rainbow, the transition is just finishing this week and came with the added announcement the theatre will no longer be screening 3D movies, which they have been doing since the release of Avatar, and the following flurry of post-converted 3D nearly three years ago. “There is certainly an added expense to adding the 3D feature to your programming, and we’ve had so much feedback from our customers in terms of not wanting to see 3D movies,” Katrina Chapman, manager at Rainbow Cinemas London, says. “People are generally perfectly happy with 2D, and are very happy when we are showing something in that format versus the 3D format.” Chapman cites negative responses from moviegoers as the primary reason for saying no to 3D. “We get a lot of feedback from the distributors and the film companies saying how wonderful 3D is, and I certainly believe that there is a time and a place for it, but not every film needs to be converted into 3D.” 3D movies have often been criticized for the rush of post-production conversion with the darker image, the increased price and its lack of a notice-
able effect overall. However, many also recognize the quality of 3D when it’s done well. “Most 3D movies that are shot in 2D and then post-converted to 3D are rush jobs, and it shows,” Liorentas comments. “On the other hand, when done properly it can be very good, such as the $18 million James Cameron spent converting Titanic.” “[It is] hard to say what will happen with 3D because new laserpowered light sources with high frame rate projection is coming and will improve the dark-soft 3D problems we have now,” he continues. Rainbow’s decision is not without its critics. Paul Coates, professor and graduate chair at Western, observes 3D will likely be the way of the future, with many acclaimed directors taking the time to create works of art in the third dimension. “3D has just begun to be used imaginatively by several of the kind of highprofile directors usually described as auteurs, in such valuable films as Wim Wenders’ Pina, Werner Herzog’s Cave of Forgotten Dreams and Martin Scorsese’s Hugo,” Coates comments. “It will be a shame if downtown audiences, without easy access to malls and multiplexes, lose out on seeing just how powerfully 3D can be put to use in serious works.” London residents are still able to catch 3D movies at larger cineplexes like Silver City at Masonville Place, which made the upgrade to digital projection much earlier and has had great success with the new opportunities digital has offered. “Digital has been great,” Mike Langdon, director of communications at Cineplex Entertainment, says. “There’s two important things about it—one is that, from an operational standpoint, it makes the theatres easier to operate. It’s also been a big win from the standpoint that it opens the door to a whole world of new content that we wouldn’t have been able to show previously.” The digital revolution marks changing times for more independent movie theatres. While the larger cineplexes have had an easier time transitioning to digital, for theatres like the Hyland that do not have as much financial support, it means they may have to shut down. The current widespread upgrade to digital has also been criticized for being too early. Newer, upcoming digital technologies have been called an even more substantial improvement—however, these technologies will now have an even harder time gaining
widespread implementation. “The next generation of digital projection has massive improvements, and is what everyone should have waited for to convert away from film,” Liorentas observes. “Now, the whole industry is tapped out of cash replacing film with a cheap copycat when the good stuff is coming.” For now, London residents and Western students can enjoy the increase in image quality that comes with digital projection, and still have a choice between 2D and 3D showings. But for the industry at large, the future of cinema is always moving faster than 24 frames per second.
Mike Laine Gazette
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thegazette • Friday, November 9, 2012
Caught on Camera
Cameron Wilson GAZETTE
Crossword By Eugene Sheffer
SEEING RED. Former leader of the Liberal party, Michael Ignatieff, visited Western’s Canada-U.S. Institute yesterday afternoon to discuss the political landscape between Canada and the United States as part of the Institute’s speakers’ series.
News Briefs
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Solution to puzzle on page 8
Black Friday hits Masonville Place Black Friday is fast approaching, and Masonville Place is changing its hours to entice shoppers to celebrate this traditionally American event, and spend their money in London. According to Daryl Clemance, general manager of Masonville Place, the increasingly relaxed limits for cross-border shopping, and the prevalence for online shopping, have made it easier than ever for Canadians to capitalize on American prices. Clemance hopes that by operating longer hours and offering many American brands, such as Forever 21 and Apple, Masonville will be able to make some consumers think twice before crossing a border to do their holiday shopping. Whether or not this strategy will pan out, however, remains to be seen. Clemance stated he wasn’t enYour Weekly Horoscope The week of Nov 9 – 15
This horoscope is intended for entertainment purposes only.
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 This is the time to get started on long-overdue work. What you need most of all this week is to escape the Things will go smoothly if you focus all of your atten- confines of the four walls and simply spend plenty of tion on the tasks at hand and avoid distractions. time outdoors. Your mind will be cleansed. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Do not worry about being productive all of the time. Adventure brings excitement and you are ready for You need to recharge to be in top form when you are some creative flow of energy and a change of pace. called into action. Tuesday could be busy. Keep your eyes peeled for all of the opportunities coming your way. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Expect some additional energy that enables you to This week you will take steps toward getting more sail through tasks at work in record speed. The sky is organized at work and at home. Clean out drawers the limit when you have so much energy. and closets and remove any clutter that has accumulated. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 There are certain tasks that you may find you cannot You may face a decision that gives you pause from complete on your own. That is when you should dele- an ethical or humanitarian standpoint. Give it some gate or ask someone with more experience to help thought before deciding what to do. you. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 It’s smart if you hold your tongue for a few days until This week you may want to make a second attempt a situation at home has a chance to blow over. at something that didn’t quite work out the first time. Otherwise you can run the risk of escalating things You may be surprised by the results this time around. unnecessarily. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 If there’s something that you have wanted to try, Your innovative approach could certainly work in your such as a hobby or sport, now is the time to do so. favor this week. Don’t be afraid to apply this You have the confidence needed to try different approach to your finances. things. FAMOUS BRTHDAYS NOVEMBER 11 – Calista Flockhart, Actress (48) NOVEMBER 13 – Jimmy Kimmel, TV Host (45) NOVEMBER 15 – Ed Asner, Actor (83)
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tirely sure what retailers would be participating yet in the mall’s extended hours and Black Friday specials. “Each day we’re getting more and more commitment from various retailers as to who will open. Hopefully, on the 22 we should be able to post on our website a list of stores that will be open early on Black Friday, and what specials and promotions they may be running,” Clemance said. Masonville will be opening its doors at 7 a.m. on Friday, November 23. —Jaclyn Carbone
90 per cent of young adults stressed out According to the recently released Sun Life Canadian Health Index, nine out of 10 young Canadians between 18 and 24 report experiencing excessive stress. The index cites finances and work life as two of the biggest causes of anxiety. Cynthia Gibney, manager of Student Health Services at Western, believes the combination of academic responsibilities, social and living situations and financial pressures all contribute to stress levels amongst students. “Sometimes, for the very first time in their lives, they are experiencing these things all at once,” she said. The index also found 39 per cent of young Canadians feel underemployed and under-utilized at their jobs. This may be another cause of increased stress levels in a recovering economy where recent job creations have tended to be mostly part-time. Although stress often has a negative connotation, Gibney pointed out stress can have different and varying effects. “Some [individuals] use stress positively to their advantage. On one end of the spectrum, this increases their energy and improves their ability to perform tasks. On the other end of the spectrum, some are affected negatively, break down and are unable to cope at all,” she explained. “Those that are affected negatively by stress are affected in a varying degree also. For example, some might have moodiness, and some might have sleep disturbances.” —Amir Ghafouri
The Cryptoquip is a substitution cipher in which one letter stands for another. If you think that X equals O, it will equal O throughout the puzzle. Single letters, short words and words using an apostrophe give you clues to locating vowels. Solution is by trial and error. © 2002 by Kings Features Syndicate, Inc.
Student Saving Tip: Use the coupons inside your Westernizer Going out for the night and want to use your coupons? Just tear some out and slip them in your bus pass. You’ll have them handy when you’re on the go!
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thegazette • Friday, November 9, 2012
Western needs financial aid Research Park struggling under $17 million debt
Andrei Calinescu Gazette
Katie Roseman Gazette Staff The Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park is running a deficit after one of its major tenants vacated this past spring. The research facility, located in Lambton County, is a joint project founded by Western University, the City of Sarnia and Lambton County. The Research Park hosts various companies and research groups, including Canada’s largest cleantech incubator, the Bowman Centre for Technology Commercialization. The park, established in 2003, had been operating without a deficit until this summer—it is now $17 million in debt. Its financial problems arose when a call centre vacated the premises. To remedy the issue, the Board of Directors is seeking a line of credit from Lambton city council, as well as a restructuring of its debt. Paul Paolatto, executive director of the Research Park, said this issue, while concerning, is not yet a crisis. “In terms of a deficit, what we
have right now is a cash flow issue. And, much like any household which lost a major wager, in this case we lost a major tenant representing 50 per cent of our revenue,” Paolatto said. “We’re not getting a bailout per se—all we’re doing is we’re asking for an extension on our mortgage.” He explained the facility had many reasons to attract future tenants, including its close proximity to the United States, as well as a world-class lab and industrial pilot plant space. There has already been some interest from potential tenants, but restoring occupancy is not an immediate process. “I can’t put a time frame around it, and recovering 50 per cent of your revenue takes a little bit of time,” Paolatto added. “We expect to be attracting quite well over the course of the next six months to a year.” “These research parks are longterm plays and they take time to germinate, but the nice thing about them is that they are creating knowledge-based jobs that
are high value, well-paying and sustainable.” Steve Arnold, warden of Lambton County and member of the Board of Directors overseeing the park, did not seem overly concerned either. “I don’t think it’s a crisis, of course not. In my humble opinion, it’s just a blip and we’ll have it all sorted out.” The park is aiming to attract companies within the biofuel industry. “In 2003, we put this together to try and help diversify the economy, as well as enhance the economy of the community through existing business industries. The whole purpose of the Research Park was to try and move forward into a bioeconomy, and we’ve had a certain amount of success in that regard, and we’re continuing to pursue those types of investments,” Arnold said. The council will make their decision regarding the debt restructure by November 28.
OUSA advocates for accessible teaching Julian Uzielli Online Editor
The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance is calling for a cultural shift in attitudes towards students with disabilities on campuses across Ontario. At their semi-annual general assembly over the weekend, OUSA updated their policy to call for the widespread adoption of Universal Instructional Design—a new teaching paradigm that would ensure accessibility in the classroom for students with physical or learning disabilities. “UID is more of a culture shift, more than anything. As of now, outside of UID, the onus is on the student to identify their accommodation,” Alysha Li, OUSA president, explained. “If and when UID is implemented—it may be a few years until that’s fully adopted— the onus is then put on the institution and the professor.” OUSA met at the University of Waterloo for the general assembly. The lobby group, which represents nine student unions in Ontario, meets twice a year to develop policy papers used to lobby governments and university administra-
tions. Three updated policy papers were passed over the weekend, concerning students with disabilities, rural and northern students and student financial aid. The University Students’ Council sent a 10-member delegation to the meeting, including Li, who is also the vice-president university affairs for the USC. “We’re a lobbying organization for the provincial government, but at the same time, these policy papers, after they’re published, are transformed into different mediums,” Li explained. “They’re transformed into lobby documents, government submissions, or they’re transformed into lobby briefs for politicians, or for the bureaucrats.” Despite the progress made last weekend, it may be quite a while before changes like UID are implemented. Premier Dalton McGuinty’s recent prorogation of the provincial legislature presents a barrier to OUSA’s agenda—a planned week-long lobby conference to Queen’s Park at the end of November had to be rescheduled for spring. However, at least one member of the USC’s OUSA delegation re-
mained optimistic. “It’s difficult for us to get MPPs on side with some of the issues, but at the same time I think you still lobby the people that you can—you lobby the people in the ministries themselves outside of the government, you lobby the cabinet ministers,” Brian Belman, USC provincial affairs commissioner, said. Though Li was pleased all three amendments were passed last weekend, she noted approving policies at the general assembly is a “very small first step” towards getting real results. “At the end of the day, with lobbying, you lobby what’s relevant at the time. If the government’s really interested in reducing barriers, that’s something we know we can pull from our policy and lobby right at the right time to actually see some changes,” Belman said. “OUSA doesn’t want to lobby for anything that students haven’t agreed to or passed in a policy, and so making sure that we constantly have updated policies on a wide range of topics means that at any given time, when something comes up, we can effectively try and make a difference.”
News Brief
Orser issues apology After five days, Stephen Orser, Ward 4 councillor for the City of London, has offered apologies for his use of the phrase ‘Duck off’ against Brian Gibson, a London resident vying for Mayor Fontana to temporarily step down. Gibson had sent an email to London councillors regarding his petition for Fontana to step down, which drew understanding comments from most councillors, but prompted Orser to reply “Duck off.” While other councillors were quick to reply with apologies for their colleague’s actions, Gibson had only learned about Orser’s apology after reading about it on the London Free Press website. Gibson said such actions would result in greater mistrust between the citizens and city council, although he was happy some members of the council had emailed him to apologize for his behaviour. “This kind of impacts poorly on all members of council. The actions of a few members kind of undermine the entire group, but the majority were all very respectful,” Gibson said. “Councillor Denise Brown actually sent me a personal
email on Tuesday apologizing not on Orser’s behalf, but apologizing that [Orser’s actions] happened. It really meant a lot to me.” Though not entirely satisfied with the circumstances of Orser’s apology, Gibson nonetheless was satisfied with the apology itself. “You can kind of speculate over the reasoning behind why he waited as long as he did, or why he decided to wait until Tuesday to do it, but I think he apologized fairly quickly,” he said. “I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the format, but at the same time, I was fairly content that I had received some sort of apology and I’m willing to kind of move forward from here.” Orser could not be reached for comment. —Herb Richardson
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thegazette • Friday, November 9, 2012
Arts&Life Art for mental health
didyouknow? The first 3D on film was in 1915, with three short one-reel films. The showing failed as the 3D was extremely low quality.
On the shelf
Exhibition works address psychosis Jared MacAdam Contributor “Psychosis is a secret kept that no one would believe if told. Held dormant and waiting for something for once to happen differently. Interrupts the plague of monotony.” So reads the poem Recovery is Possible by one of the many diverse artists and poets of the Creative Minds exhibit at The ARTS Project. The Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses at the London Health Sciences Centre is hosting the biennial exhibition for the sixth time. Creative Minds hosts a wide array of media from oil paintings to words, photographs to abstract paintings. The only truly uniting feature of the exhibit is psychosis. The gallery consists of artwork by clients, family members and staff— all of varying styles with a diverse range of messages and meanings. Creative Minds not only brings
together some very talented artists and poets, it also raises awareness about psychosis and what it means. “Psychosis is not a specific illness, but a syndrome in which some loss of contact with reality has occurred,” reads a brochure from the exhibit. Particular pieces deal directly with psychosis and its creative release. “My Mind” has an artist depict their mood through abstract painting, using colour and layers to explain their psyche as they went through the difficult process of psychosis and diagnosis. “Putting the Pieces Together” is another case where art becomes a creative outlet, as the artist portrays schizophrenia through the use of jagged, unaligned lines that come together through the help of PEPP. Other images point towards hope and inspiration. “Resilient Lotus” is one such image, a simple painting of lotuses on water with
the words ‘keep pushing’ near the top. A new edition this year is a poetry section. Beautiful poems line the walls around a well, which contains small stones. The stones are from patrons who have visited, each containing a small written message for those affected by psychosis. Success, hope and recovery truly are the objectives of this exhibit, and are achieved. A unique display of art from a variety of artists, there’s something there for everyone. The underlying message is as beautiful as the art itself, raising awareness for a seriously misunderstood condition. The exhibit is a beacon of hope for those afflicted with psychosis, with the simple painting of the lotuses’ motto ringing true—keep pushing. Creative Minds ends tomorrow at The ARTS Project, located at 203 Dundas Street.
Courtesy of artsproject.ca
GGGHF Jay-Z Decoded Random House Decoded is an autobiography by Sean Carter, better known as JayZ. This book, released in 2010, assesses Jay-Z’s life and lyrical work. The book’s format is well-structured, and offers an abundance of visual inserts which make it an easy read, as well as an interesting inspection on the life of an American performer growing up in urban poverty. Decoded follows Carter’s journey through his humble beginnings and wayward adolescence, all the way to his present-day success. The order of each chapter, instead of being strictly chronological, is divided into themes and proves to be a prominent way of telling the life story. This structure is supplemented by Carter’s own beliefs and anecdotes included in thematic chapters. An interesting aspect of the book is the inclusion of song lyrics with their accompanied descrip-
tions. Carter takes songs relevant to the themes of each chapter and dissects them in a way that brings the reader closer to understanding the process and feelings behind not only his own work, but of every rapper of his time. These prove to be intriguing sections of the book because, as readers will learn, some of his most popular songs, such as “99 Problems” and “Big Pimpin’,” are broken down to comprehend, each with hidden messages and allusions. What is perhaps most striking about this book is its depth. Carter’s ability to delve into the psychology of a young man at the end of his rope in detail is shockingly real. It’s also easy to connect and relate to the stories in Decoded, placing yourself in the shoes of the rapper. Unfortunately, as the book progresses, Carter’s lyrical descriptions become less believable. By the end of the book, it is difficult to accept deep explanations for seemingly shallow lyrical content. Carter may be tackling the problems of race relations, perfecting an art form and telling a thoughtprovoking story in his lyrics, but that isn’t to excuse some of his less artistic lyrics. Jay-Z’s Decoded offers a portrayal of the performer that any reader can empathize with. The anecdotes are fresh and interesting, and his exploration of lyrical content is an intriguing, original idea. Decoded is a good read for anyone who enjoys the contemporary music and culture of rap artists, or want to learn more about the iconic man behind the ‘Z’. —Tyler Correia
Returning to the screen shaken, not stirred Aaron Zaltzman News Editor GGGGH Skyfall Director: Sam Mendes Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem
Mike Laine Gazette
“Everybody needs a hobby,” a grim Bond (Daniel Craig) scoffs to the villain. “What’s yours?” the villain replies. “Resurrection.” To anybody who thought the Bond franchise was in need of a renaissance, rest assured Skyfall brings 007 back in a big way. For aficionados of Commander Bond’s many exploits, Skyfall may go down as one of the top movies in the secret agent’s long and celebrated history. Indeed, the movie itself is a resurrection of the franchise. During 007’s four-year absence from the silver screen, many thought the sun may have set on the suave super agent. Indeed, it calls to mind a similar state of affairs before Pierce Brosnan’s 1995 debut in GoldenEye, when people openly wondered if Bond would have a place in the post-Cold War world. Brosnan and GoldenEye proved them wrong 17 years ago, and Craig has once again shown in Skyfall that Bond is not relegated to
file photo
the past. The past itself is the main theme of the movie—how it comes back to haunt us. The villain (Javier Bardem), ex-MI6 agent Raoul Silva, is attempting to bring a reckoning upon his onetime boss, M (Judi Dench), for the sins of her past. Throughout the movie, Bond, M and even MI6 itself are dismissed as relics who have lost touch with the current world. In the end, it’s the relics of the past the characters confront, that end up being the weapons to fight evil. If the movie’s characters must face the sins of their past, the
movie itself celebrates its history. Being the 50th anniversary of Dr. No, the movie has more than a few winks and nods to various Bond motifs. The Shanghai setting brings to mind Francisco Scaramanga in The Man with the Golden Gun. Silva himself is the best Bond villain since GoldenEye’s Alec Trevelyan, with whom he shares many qualities. The film’s main strength lies in its amazing characters. Craig is once again the stoically vulnerable 007 we’ve all grown to love, but for the first time he must confront his own weaknesses. Raoul Silva is the
kind of villain we’ve been waiting for—one who not only has diabolical intentions, but also the skill and intellect to match Bond’s own. However, it’s Dench’s M that deserves a special recognition in Skyfall. Having been a mainstay for seven Bond movies, M is explored more deeply in this one than ever before. Her own character illumination and her complex relationships with both Silva and Bond is what catapults the movie from good to great. If Skyfall has one message, it’s this—Bond is definitely back.
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thegazette • Friday, November 9, 2012
Happily strumming along
Gazette-tested > S’more bars
Canadian band The Strumbellas discusses their tour
file photo
It should become quickly apparent, as you stand crumbling graham cracker after graham cracker, that this recipe calls for too much of a good thing. While these no-bake bars are a rich, delectable treat, it’s best to knock off about a third of the graham crackers and a quarter of the marshmallows the recipe calls for. Instead, go for three cups of miniature marshmallows and four ounces of graham crackers. These bars are an ideal substitute for summer’s camping fare when the weather gets too chilly. —Gloria Dickie
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S’more bars file photo
Danielle Bozinoff Contributor The six-piece Canadian band known as The Strumbellas has an extremely unique sound—by combining both pop and country, they exude a laid-back feel. Since the release of their debut album My Father and the Hunter last February, The Strumbellas have been sharing their sound on tour. Set to perform tonight at Call the Office, they described the natural process of making their album. “It went pretty organically,” says singer-songwriter and guitarist Simon Ward. “I always wanted to make pop music. I was always fighting to make the most pop-y record we could, but I think naturally we ended up making music that sounded a little more country.” The result of this work was a lovely alt-country and indie rock record. “I think just at one point we realized we do sound a little country and indie-ish. We just realized our songs are kind of country and indie, so we just tried to roll with
it,” Ward says. This organic process went well, as their album continues to collect rave reviews, making The Strumbellas a band to watch. Throughout their tour, Ward says they were lucky enough to play at some neat venues.
The best venues are the strange venues[…] I’d rather sell out a really small venue than play to half of a really big venue. —Simon Ward
Frontman of The Strumbellas
“The best venues are the strange venues, like in a loft or a back alley,” Ward says. “Or like house shows. We kind of have a second home at the Cameron House in Toronto— just really small, unique environments. I’d rather sell out a really small venue than play to half of a
really big venue.” As for Ontario audiences, Ward says there is no crowd like it. “People in Ontario know our songs and they get to sing along, we love that. When people sing along it’s the best.” Some of their lesser-known songs include “Rhinestone” and “Diane,” the latter of which Ward discloses was written about his mom. “I kind of just wrote it and go, ‘Oh, maybe that’s what that’s about’—kind of like my scattered thought put into a song that comes out and just happened to be about my mom.” In addition to working on the tour, the band recently released a Strumbellas video game. “You can be all of us as characters. We’re pretty stoked about that,” Ward says. The group continues to stay busy and is set to record three new songs in the new year, all to be released shortly after. As The Strumbellas continue to work, they cement their spot in the Canadian music scene and plan to continue making music for quite a while.
Fast Facts > The Strumbellas
formed in 2006 in Toronto.
• The band released a
self-titled EP in 2009.
• My Father and the
Hunter is The Strumbellas first full-length album, which they released this past February.
• The band classifies itself as folk alternative country. • They are currently
on a cross-Canada tour.
• CBC called them a “band to watch.”
AT TENTION STUDENTS USING SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES We would like to remind you that you must meet with a counsellor at Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), in the Student Development Centre, to arrange academic accommodation for your 2012 fall/winter courses. If you have not yet requested accommodation for your courses, and you wish to use accommodation for December 2012 exams, you must meet with a counsellor by Thursday, November 15th. Accommodation for December 2012 exams cannot be arranged by SSD if requested after this date.
To book your appointment please call 519-661-2147
121031
• The Strumbellas
Ingredients
bubbles appear.
• ½ cup of whipping cream • ¾ cups milk chocolate chips • 4 cups miniature marshmallows • 6 ounces deluxe graham
3. Remove pan from heat and mix in chocolate chips until smooth. Allow mixture to cool, stirring occasionally.
Directions
5. Pour mixture into pan and gently press down.
crackers, broken into bitesize pieces
1. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with tin foil. 2. In a saucepan, heat the cream over medium until
4. Add marshmallows to mixture and stir gently. Coat lightly with chocolate and add graham cracker pieces to mixture. Stir till combined.
6. Refrigerate for two hours, or until firm. Makes 9 to 12 bars.
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thegazette • Friday, November 9, 2012
Opinions 3D an expensive, not rich experience In a Gazette Editorial Board first, it was unanimously decided 3D movies suck. Recently, several smaller London cinemas have been making the move away from film stock and towards digital projection. In the wake of this comes the announcement that Rainbow Cinema, located in Citi Plaza, will no longer be screening 3D films. Besides the obvious ticket price inflation that comes with viewing three-dimensional films, many people are intolerable to 3D for health reasons, with reactions ranging from mild headaches to severe nausea. This has become so prevalent that a market for 2D glasses has emerged online. Obviously, it’s advantageous for a film company to distribute its films solely in 3D. Filming in 3D is expensive, and why would you offer your potential audience a cheaper, 2D alternative when you can charge them their first-born? Corporations are endlessly trying to promote the technology, much more than its popularity warrants it would seem. With few citizens preferring 3D to 2D, we can’t help but wonder if 3D really is the future of film, or if biased mega-corporations are forcing citizens to adopt it by providing no other options. For now, the small, independent cinema remains a safe haven. 3D projectors are incredibly expensive, meaning many small businesses are fortunately stuck with film stock or digital projection. Furthermore, independent cinemas offer an entirely different experience than big box movie theatres charging $45 for a small popcorn. These theatres allow audiences to truly engage with the film through an intimate experience. Instead, the focus is on the film—often second-run or independent—rather than the gaudiness of a Silver City or AMC. With all that said, 3D films do have their place in society—and that place happens to be at an amusement park. Who doesn’t love ducking in your seat as a pterodactyl flies out of the screen, or shielding your eyes as you plummet off a 60-foot cliff? It’s time to bring back the campy 3D of days past, instead of turning dramatic masterpieces into gimmicky, poorly lit money grabs. —The Gazette Editorial Board
I don’t particularly enjoy watching films in 3D because I think that a wellshot and well-projected film has a very three-dimensional quality to it, so I’m somewhat skeptical of the technology.
—Christopher Nolan, British film director
Mastering the art of passing conversation Camopticon
Cam Parkes Managing Editor
On several occasions, I’ve been to referred to as a word connoisseur. Admittedly, all but one of those instances was me referring to myself— and the other one was someone repeating it after I had said it—but that’s not the point here. I’ve always been good at having conversations—perhaps it stems from my love of words, and my affluent use of them. Either way, I’ve always enjoyed conversing with people about nearly anything. Unfortunately, in this day and age, I don’t get to have conversations as often as I’d like. Instead, I’ve found that I’m much more inclined to have what I refer to as “passing conversations.” Let me explain. You know that moment when you’re walking through campus on your way to the library, or a class, or perhaps even the Starbucks line, and you see someone you know? Not just a passing acquaintance—in that case, a simple nod or wave would do—but someone who you feel obligated to utter a few words to? There are only two possible outcomes to this situation. First, you can stop, take your headphones off, put your phone away, greet the person and begin chatting. The problem here is that, if they’re in a hurry but don’t want to be rude, they may feel obligated to stop and talk with you, which is pretty inconvenient for them. You also have that library or class or line to get to, remember? The other option is the passing conversation—and it’s something most of us have mastered. As you
approach the person, you call out a greeting as soon as they’re close enough to you that you don’t have to shout. “Hey, how’s it going?” you may say. Hopefully picking up on what’s happening, your friend will quickly reply, “Hey, good, thanks! You?” Note that it’s critical to only say “not bad” or better in this case—neither of you has time to sympathize over someone having a shitty day. “Good, thanks!” you end the conversation. And that’s that. If you did it right, neither of you had to slow your step at all, you made the socially obligatory attempt at conversation, and you didn’t lose any time. Congratulations! I do not like this. Unfortunately, these passing conversations are indicative of the society we live in. We’re all constantly busy it seems, and that leads to a culture dominated by text messages with every other word short-formed. Does anyone even call their friends any more? I certainly don’t, except for the rare exception. I don’t even know any of my friends’ phone numbers—the only ones I remember are my own, my parents’ home phone and, oddly enough, six or seven numbers from my childhood. It seems hypocritical, even to me—I’d prefer to have conversations in person, but if I’m using a cell phone I’d rather text than call. I don’t know where this preference comes, and I can’t explain it. The best—or maybe worst—part about this is that, despite my aversion to passing conversations, I have mastered them. I have evolved beyond the simple format I explained above, and can now fit a greeting, compliment and even a request to know their plans that night into my quick questioning. Sheesh, at this rate, I may be able to one day have a full conversation, in passing.
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Volume 106, Issue 38 www.westerngazette.ca
Gloria Dickie Editor-In-Chief Nicole Gibillini Deputy Editor Cam Parkes Managing Editor
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Gazette Composing & Gazette Advertising Ian Greaves, Manager Robert Armstrong
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Gazette Staff 2012-2013
Iain Boekhoff, Greg Colgan, David Czosniak, Megan Devlin, Ross Hamilton, Elton Hobson, Sarah Mai Chitty, Megan McPhaden, Kaitlyn Oh, John Petrella, Chen Rao, Nathan Robbins-Kanter, Lily Robinson, Pat Robinson, Katie Roseman, Nathan TeBokkel, Kate Wilkinson, Kartikeya Vishal, Usman Zahid, Mason Zimmer
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Dear Life, Why do people care about Christmas music at Shoppers, but not Starbucks’ overly festive cups? Dear Life, Has Taylor Swift even been in a relationship long enough for it to be on/off? Dear Life, We remember. Submit your letters to life at www.westerngazette. ca/dearlife. Letter to the Editor
Wear a poppy To the Editor: I was in Cherryhill Village Mall earlier this week and noticed that everyone in there—mostly old folks—was wearing the poppy. It was like a Remembrance Day ceremony in itself, and it made me proud, as I have a grandfather that served in the Navy all his life. It got me thinking, though, as to why I don’t see a larger majority of students and faculty members wearing one. I understand the numbers—that because there are more students than folks in the mall that I may see more of the non-wearers than those that wear the poppy. It could be that we simply forgot to pin one on, or that some feel their respect for our veterans need not be symbolized—a personal thing. I also theorized that it’s because they grew up in a period filled with war—WWI, WWII, Vietnam and Korea. But then I realized that we are a generation of war as well! I have friends that served us in Afghanistan, and I know some of our peers at Western have served as well. I wear my poppy for them as proudly as I do for our heroes before them. I’m not claiming we, as university students, don’t care about Remembrance Day, or don’t respect what our brave men and women did and continue to do—far from it. But giving up a quarter when you buy a coffee, or picking up a poppy you see on the ground and wearing it with Canadian pride, seems to be the least we can do to honour those who fell, fought and continue to fight for us. — Jake Merchant Kinesiology III
Photography Andrei Calinescu Ritchie Sham Cameron Wilson Graphics Naira Ahmed Mike Laine Illustrations Christopher Miszczak Liwei Zhou Online Julian Uzielli Web Cameron Wilson Video Chris Kay
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thegazette • Friday, November 9, 2012
Sports
gameday This weekend the Mustangs men’s basketball team takes on the defending national champion Carleton Ravens at 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 10.
Rundown >> This week’s Canadian Interuniversity Sport top 10 rankings features two Mustangs teams > Going into this week’s CIS championships, the Mustangs women’s cross-country team ranks fourth in the nation > With a record of 7–1–1, the Mustangs women’s hockey team sits eighth in the nation this week.
Split squad gets results away from home Long journey for veterans while rookies stay close to home Jason Sinukoff Sports Editor The Mustangs wrestling team split up and hit the road this past weekend—a select few attended the Hargobind Invitational in British Columbia, while the rest of the team travelled to Hamilton for the McMcaster Invitational. The Hargobind Invitational, a national carding tournament, featured some of the fiercest competition in North America. With this in mind, the Mustangs had to send their more experienced wrestlers to B.C. to compete. “It was a national carding tournament, so there was very tough competition,” Ray Takahashi, Mustangs head coach, said. “Certainly the group that went had trained right through the summer, or they were part of the national program, so they were at a different level than some of the other team members.” The purple and white had an impressive showing in Surrey, B.C., highlighted by Brianne Barry’s silver medal win. In addition to this, Steven Takahashi, Richard Balfour and Madi Parks all placed fifth in their respective events. “It was good for us—good tournament, good weekend,” Takahashi said. Jumping over to Hamilton, most of the Mustangs squad hit the road to compete in the McMaster Invitational. “Most of our varsity wrestlers went there. It was the first tournament of the year for them,” Takahashi said. “I hadn’t seen some of the rookies compete, so it was a good opportunity for some of the coaching staff to see them in action, because we have been training since the first week of school.” The Mustangs once again had an impressive showing in Hamilton, with the men’s side placing third overall with a score of 17, and the women placing fifth with an
overall score of 20. Highlighting the finishes was a gold medal won by Monica Varallo and a silver medal won by Alyssa Medeiros. Looking ahead, the Mustangs will be competing in the Greater Toronto Open in Ajax on November 10. Although bringing back some wins would be nice, Takahashi knows that experience will be the primary thing the team takes out of the tournament. “It would be nice to bring back
I hadn’t seen some of the rookies compete, so it was a good opportunity for some of the coaching staff to see them in action because we have been training since the first week of school. — Ray Takahashi Mustangs head coach
some wins. But at this point, we are looking more at what we need to work on, and getting experience so that we can test our level,” Takahashi said. “So the wins are important, no questions, but just as much as the experience we get out of it.” Missing from the squad during the Greater Toronto Open will be Mustangs star Steven Takahashi, who will be competing in New York. Steven Takahashi hopes to do the Mustangs proud against the fierce international competition that the tournament will attract. “One wrestler is going to the New York Athletic Club. Steven Takahashi is going there, and that is a very competitive tournament, since there is a lot of international competition,” Ray Takahashi said.
Mike Laine Gazette
Mustangs lose in final Richard Raycraft Sports Editor Facing off against the McGill Redmen in the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association final, the Mustangs fell 7–6 in double overtime in a heroic effort to take home the gold. “We prepared the boys for a tough match-up against the Western defence,” Tim Murdoch, McGill head coach, said. McGill’s Jishan Sharples scored the winner in the second overtime period with just under 20 seconds left. Sharples was also crowned as the game’s most valuable player. Mustangs goaltender Zach Grace was named Western’s MVP, stopping 19 shots and keeping the Mustangs
Courtesy of Ray Takahashi
NOPE, NOT UNDER THERE. Mustangs wrestler Steven Takahashi battles for position as his opponent uses his hands to keep his balance. Takahashi competed in the Hargobind Invitational in Surrey, British Columbia this weekend, settling for fifth place in his weight class.
in the game until the very end. “We were just going to hold on to that ball and wait for the good shooting opportunities, which eventually came to us toward the end of the overtime,” Murdoch commented. The Mustangs had the momentum early in the contest, eventually taking a 3–1 lead in the second quarter. The Redmen were not prepared to give up and came back to score two goals and tie up the game. McGill had a 6–4 lead late in the game, but Western managed to put two more in the mesh to send the game to overtime. The game remained at a stalemate until Sharples’ goal gave the game and the championship to the Redmen.
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thegazette • Friday, November 9, 2012
thegazette To place your ad in thegazette MARKETPLACE, please contact us at 519-661-3579 or adoffice@uwo.ca EMPLOYMENT GYMWORLD GYMNASTICS - is looking for coaches. Flexible hours. Start right away! Bus from campus. Call 519-474-4960 or email info@gymworld.ca.
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PUT YOUR SUDOKU SAVVY TO THE TEST! To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.
For solution, turn to page 2
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