Lights, Camera, Action!
Find out why Tristan Burnet is passionate about music and why he’s going to be hip-hop’s next superstar.
Inside you can !nd out about
new phones, i-pods, computers and video
games ! Check it out!
Do you know your entertainment? Look inside to test yourself to see if you know your movie quotes.
December 2010
2 | Lights, Camera, Action!
Crew MembersAdriana Pacheco: Managing Editor
Ryan Graham: Photo Editor
Nathaniel Smith: Story Editor
Sarah Golan: Art Director
Our Entertainment How entertainment impacts me…that’s hard to really de!ne. I think that fore mostly it enriches my life, whether it is a play/musical, a song, movie or book. With each medium comes some form of enrichment, some sort of new detail to be retained. I can’t see my life without music. Literally from the moment I wake up until I go to bed I am tuned in and plugged in. My life has a sound track !lled with an eclectic sound, which only stops for the necessitated time I have to be in class or what have you. I think that entertainment in"uences me to look into new things, try new things. Very often I may hear or see or read something and think, huh, what is that about? #en of course I have to !nd out. -Adriana Pacheco
Entertainment has impacted me, my whole life. It has made me who I am today and also who I want to become. Ever since I can remember I have enjoyed watching television shows like Entertainment Tonight Canada and Much On Demand, reading magazines like Seventeen Magazine and Life and Style and listening to radio stations like Kiss 92.5 and Chum FM. Basically doing anything I could to learn about the entertain-ment industry. I loved learning about which celebrity was dat-ing who, who was wearing what and seeing what events were going down with whom. Without entertainment, everything that I am passionate about would not be around for us to enjoy. So I hope the entertainment industry keeps recreating itself, so that further generations can enjoy new movies, music, television and magazines. -Sarah Golan
Lights, Camera, Action! | 3
Music is my life
A life of entertainment
Entertainment has impacted me in a big way, as it brings di$erent ways to interact with new people you meet while enjoying the latest entertain-ment attractions. From music concerts, seeing the latest movies, to live sporting events. It gives you a gateway to get away from school or work, which can be stressful at times. It lets you be relaxed and enjoy yourself and have fun with friends. It has also impacted me with the new technologies in computers, which a$ects me on a daily basis from school to spare time.-Ryan Graham
Entertainment as a gateway
Entertainment impacts every bit of my livelihood, because innovative technology is constantly being created from cell phones, video game consoles and portable computers. Also, the technology is so advanced that it allows entertain-ment to become magni!ed and much more power-ful. Music and movies are very instrumental in my life because it allows an opportunity to relax the mind and elivitate stress. Entertainment and technology is growing each year and will continue to be a focal point in my life. -Nathaniel Smith
Life Inovated
And... Action!When trying to come up with the idea for this magazine, we, all of us who worked on it, knew we wanted it to be something that really interested us. !ough we discussed it thoroughly, a discussion that at some
points seemed to go in circles, we kept coming back to the same thing. Entertainment.
Entertainment is something that everyone has an interest in. Some to the point of obsession, others only cursorily. But everyone has a keen interest in some form of entrainment, whether it be reading, watch-ing a movie, listening to live music, downloaded music or shelling out cash to go see a show in Toronto.
Everyone has their favourite medium.
So that’s what this magazine is all about, the di"erent forms of entertainment that we all love. !ere is something for everyone in this issue, from the latest book reviews, most popular gaming systems and the
latest movies coming out, to a look at local talent.
So here it is, our magazine, aptly titled “Lights Camera Action.” I hope you enjoy this issue and #nd at least one of the forms of entertainment detailed within to your
liking.
Adriana PachecoManaging Editor
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4 | Lights, Camera, Action!
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Lights, Camera, Action! | 5
DECEMBER 2010 6-7 Profile on heavy metal band Into Exile.
8-9 Profile on upcoming muscians Zachary Weaver and Trevor Lynch.
10 Profile on bluegrass/folk singer Alicia Robicheau.
11 Profile on Ajax rapper Tristan Burnett
12-13 Information on Macs, Del, and IBM computers.
14-15 Information on video game consoles and games for Xbox, Playstation 3 and Wii,
16 Battle of the Smartphones. Information on the Blackberry and iPhone.
17 Entertainment Quiz.
18-19 Profile on comedians Tim Allen and Jeff Dunham.
20 Profile on The Oshawa Little Theatre.
21 Profile on Canadian author Kelley Armstrong.
22 December’s movie review on Harry Potter Deathly Hollows part 1.
23 December’s new releases on books, movies coming out in theatres, and movies coming out on DVD.
Local heavy metal band Into Exile, are beginning to become well known in Durham Region. Playing everywhere from Cobourg to Hamilton, this four person band is doing anything possible to get noticed in this tough music industry.
Into Exile has been together a year and a half now and includes lead guitarist Tiyler Arnett, 20, guitarist Matt Goulett, 20, drummer Josh Beaven, 20, and vocalist Bobby Baker, 22. Matt currently goes to school at Durham College for Biology and is in his
Business Management last year but dropped out, say-‐ing that he found he was too busy with life and the
band but plans on going back in the fall.
in the band. They met in grade 4 and have known each other all the way through high school and then stumbled upon Bobby and thought he had a really great stage presence. They recently just lost their
vocalist Bobby’s singing style as screamer and think he’s a really good front man.
“He can get people moving and get the people entertained,” said Tiyler. “He’s very good at getting people to move.”
Tiyler said they all share the writing but that Matt does do at least 75 percent of the writing.
Local Heavy Metal Band is Ready to Destroy
By Sarah Golan
Lights, Camera, Action! | 7 6 | Lights, Camera, Action!
“So he’ll write the song, give it to us, we’ll learn it,” he said. “I’ll write my guitar solo, then bobby will write the words and Josh will write his own drums. We all just write our own parts but it’s like all in a process.”
Tiyler said going to concerts really inspires him to write.
I pick up my guitar and I write a new song more or less, or I write a sweet new guitar rift. Going to shows is really inspiring, it gives you new ideas, and new technique.”
They have played seven contests and have won them all. In those seven contests, they played
-‐tion in Whitby, and most recently the 2010 Long & McQuade Guitar Wars in Toronto at the Grade Prix Kartways.
For the Battle of the Bands, they won 200 dollars and 50 hours of free recording time. For the 2010 Long and McQuade Guitar Wars, they played
prize at the end of it in the third round.
The grade prize was 5000 cash, a vocal coach, one song fully mixed and mastered, one month unlimited in studio recording, 1000 dollar voucher to run their own show at Grande Prix Kartways, free race passes, and 500 dollars in Long & McQuade money.
“We used the Long and McQuade money on our gear already,” said Tiyler. “We’re starting to plan to go into the studio to get the free song mixed and mastered and were stilling looking to set up in the new year our show with the thousand dollar vouch-‐er.”
So far they have one EP out called 2010 War EP. It comes with three songs on it and can be pur-‐chased at live shows. Into Exile has played at venues such as the Atria, Groove Lounge, the Green Bottle and The Sound Academy.
They’re next show will be on December 18 at The Music Scene in Whitby alongside Fallen Legion. The next concert after that will be on January 28 at the Sound Academy in Toronto.
For more information on the band or concert dates, go to facebook.com/intoexile.
Photo of Into Exile’s band logo. Into Exile is a local heavy metal band from Oshawa.Picture provided by Tiyler Arnett
Band members from Into Exile. From le!, Matt Goulett on guitar, vocalist Bobby Baker, drummer Josh Beaven, and Tiyler Arnett on guitar.
Picture provided by Tiyler Arnett.
Lights, Camera, Action! | 9 8 | Lights, Camera, Action!
LOCAL BUSKERS WANT TO MAKE IT BIG
By Nathaniel Smith
The blissful echo of sounds working in
harmony forever changed the minds of Oshawa
residents Zachary Weaver and Trevor Lynch at a very
young age,and their experience with music has only
grown over the years.
Trevor and Zach specialize in playing the gui-‐
tar and singing creative vocals that form a transcend-‐
ing sound when placed together with the aggressive
sound of the electric guitar. The young artists have
started making their mark in the music scene by per-‐
forming live in front of large crowds in Oshawa for
Busker Festivals to promote the burgeoning talent of
Durham Region artists.
(Le!) Trevor Lynch and Zack Weaver are playing their guitars and singing at Buskerfest 2010 in Oshawa as part of Culture Days. Picture provided by Trevor Lynch.
Their hope is to get the
attention of major labels like
Universal Canada so they can
release their passion for music
in every song to the masses of
Canada.
Despite the lack of no-‐
toriety and fanfare both Zach
and Trevor continue to create
songs and are currently put-‐
their independent album.
Both artists enjoy both
rock and country and with
their music they hope to cre-‐
ate songs incorporating both
genres so they can stand out
as transcending artists in the
Durham Region.
Their friendship has
also allowed them to cre-‐
ate great music because they
both have equal input on the
construction of each song and
with hard work and a commit-‐
ment to excellence they feel
they have an excellent opportunity to excel.
Oshawa has begun to take notice of the tal-‐
ented twosome, because they have been performing
around the General Motors Centre for a variety of
events.
Although both gentlemen see themselves as
average guys their musical ability separates them
from the norm and places them on the pedestal of
talented artists ready to burst on the scene.
"is is an old picture of Trevor Lynch skateboarding in Oshawa.Picture provided by Trevor Lynch.
Oshawa Folk Singer is
Making her Come Back!
UOIT graduate Alicia Robicheau likes to sing folk music at open mics in Oshawa and Whitby.
Photo by Sarah Golan.
Photo provided by Alicia Robicheau.
By Sarah Golan
Alicia Robicheau singing at open mic nights in and around Durham Region. She’s done it all from singing on her own, to singing and playing in bands and hopes
she belongs.This recent graduate at Oshawa’s University Of
Ontario Institute of Technology has lived in Oshawa her
Stephen, who she’s been engaged to for a year-‐and-‐a-‐half and has been working in Toronto at York Central Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit since July.
Robicheau, 24, feels that singing at open mics is a form of stress relief. She really started getting into the open mic scene after going to the Griffen in Whitby and seeing a lot of great musicians play there. She likes to sing a combination of things. Some original and some from typical female songwriters like KT Tunstall, Brandi Carille, and Sherryl Crow.
“They tend to like things that they know, so more or less anything that they recognize, that’s been popular,” says Robicheau.
To get back into the musical scene, Robicheau has been playing every Thursday at The Bittmore in Courtice, the Griffen in Whitby, and also was included singing at Buskerfest this year in Oshawa.
Robicheau grew up singing bluegrass and began singing onstage at the age of 10 by playing with her grandfather who played the mandolin. She now likes to sing folk and a little bit of rock, but she’s not just a singer. She also likes to write her own music and play guitar.
She started writing her own music in high school and says she liked to write about typical teenage love stories, or more so love stories gone wrong. Also different aspects of her life, people around her, and any-‐thing that was inspiring.
She started playing guitar at about the age of 12, and says she taught herself how to play guitar by watch-‐ing people and mimicking what they did.
“I grew up around a lot of people that could
play, so I just watched them and took from it what I could,” says Robicheau. “It took me awhile to learn ev-‐erything.”
Robicheau usually sings solo, but has also been in a few bands.
“One was when I was quite a bit younger and I ended up leaving for university and so that broke up,” she says. “Then the band more recently, the guys in the band, all they did was their music and had a lot more
-‐versity, didn’t have. So I couldn’t just show up for prac-‐tices at a drop of a hat.
“I’m looking into a few new opportunities now with a couple of different people, so we’ll see what hap-‐pens.”
Robicheau also has her own song on a CD that was being sold a couple of years ago called North To Ontario and was nominated at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards in Huntsville. She hopes to create her own CD in the future but is okay with not having any set plans.
“I’m still getting settled in at work and once I
serious about my music,” she says. “I’m pretty happy just having places to play and I enjoy my job and what I do. So I’m not in too much of a rush to get out of it.”
W
10 | Lights, Camera, Action! Lights, Camera, Action! |11
Tristan Burnet, 28, is an inspiring musician from Ajax.
Photo by Ryan Graham
Durham’s new rap
superstar.
Tristan Burnett tells
us about his life, his
goals and his dreams.
By Nathaniel Smith.
Wordsmith, poet, musical enthusiast and competitor…. all the afore-‐mentioned words describe a man looking to ascend up the ladder into music superstardom. Tristan Burnett, a 28-‐year-‐old Ajax resident, began his musical journey at the age of seven playing various instruments like the trumpet, trombone, tuba and baritone. Looking to have a large impact on the music scene he began listening to all genres of music to build his mind and to appreciate all forms of music. Start-‐ing with classical, rock and hip-‐hop he began searching through songs until he fell in love with hip hop/rap. The poetic similari-‐
ties hip hop possessed immediately put Tristan in a different state of mind, because he wanted to paint pictures with his words while incorporating a sys-‐tematic rhyming pattern like the artists he listened too. As he continuously listened to hip hop music the words became an obsession and his competitive nature came to the forefront as he set out a goal to become the best musical lyricist in Durham Region and the world.
old lyricist Canibus, who came to the music scene
known for creating intricate rhyme schemes. Also his mother played a huge role as she played the violin throughout her life and always pushed Tristan into all types of music.
Tristan’s goals remain to rise and become a promi-‐-‐
ual’s craft takes time to mature and grow into great-‐ness. But with his vast experience in music and his hunger and motivation to be the best, Tristan believes his future is bright and Durham Region will provide a lot of musical acts in time.
Tristan Burnet hopes to become one of the best musi-cal lyricist in Durham Region.
Photo by Ryan Graham.
Lights, Camera, Action! | 13 12 | Lights, Camera, Action!
WHICH COMPUTER DO YOU PREFER?
The Macintosh or Mac laptop
is one of the personal computers that
is designed and created by apple Inc.
Mac 128K was released on Jan. 28,
1984.
Once released the Mac 128K
sales were up from the initial release
date but, then started to slowly de-‐
crease and eventually being replaced
by the Mac 512K, which was nick-‐
named the fat mac. While people are
debating between whether to get
the IBM or the Mac computers here’s
some pros for the Mac.
With the Mac computers there is more com-‐
puter security when dealing with viruses and hackers.
Another pro is Mac computers allow users to easily
sync their IPods.
Currently on the market right now Macintosh
has the MacBook Pro, which is a popular Laptop right
now. It has features that include improved energy ef-‐
on your laptop without plugging it in. The LED display
also conserves energy by requiring less power than a
CCFL display.
Other features that are included are the built in
iSight web cam and microphone as well as 250 giga-‐
bytes of hard drive.
With this top line product the Macintosh laptops
will continue to out sell other products and bring more
users over to the Mac side.
This is a picture of an Apple Macbook computer. Macintosh computers are very popular with college and university students.
Picture by Ryan Graham
Macintosh Computers: By Ryan Graham
Dell Computers: By Nathaniel Smith
Dell is one of the most famous and popular
brands in the world and their laptops and computers
will provide students with an excellent tool to complete
all the tasks they need to excel.
Dell provides individuals with the ability to cus-‐
tomize the features they want inside their laptops or PC.
This customizable feature allows the individual to focus
on the necessities they need instead of paying for features
they do not plan on using.
The features vary, but include Wi-‐Fi, a Blu-‐ray
-‐
als on the screen.
Warranties are provided to ensure individuals
have the opportunity to send back the product if there are
the consumer desires.
Dell also has a diverse and wide selection of laptop
models that can be used for anything desired. The models
include: latitude laptops, Vostro small business, Inspira-‐
tion Studio Laptops, Dell Precision Mobile Workstations,
Dell Mini, and Alien ware. The prices on these models vary
IBM Computers:By Ryan Graham
IBM Laptops are one of the leading brands of
-‐
duced in 1984 with the release of the IBM 5155 per-‐
sonal portable computer.
514 convertible. It weighed 12 pounds and had 256K
Random access Memory. At the time the 514 was con-‐
sidered a huge improvement over the 5155. The 5155
computer was much larger and had a handle on it so it
was easier to carry around with you.
Of course now we do not have that problem
with our laptops, with people wanting their technol-‐
ogy devices smaller so they can carry them where ever
they want to go.
Currently IBM’s are used a lot with work
and school,
as a lot of
universi-‐
ties require
students to
get an IBM
laptop for
their cours-‐
es, as part of
a mobile program.
Of course there are pros and cons with all
technology and the IBM computers are no exception.
One pro is that there is a wide range of selec-‐
tion for potential buyers to go with when choosing an
IBM computer.
As technology changes people’s preferences
will change with it but IBM will still be a considerable
player in the computer market.
Acer computer, part of IMB computers. Photo by Ryan Graham
14 | Lights, Camera, Action
Video Games and Game Consoles
Xand is the successor to Xbox.
the addition of Xbox live, which allows users to com-‐pete online against people throughout the world.
However there are some technical issues with the system. The big issue with the system is referred to by users as “the red ring of death,” when three
-‐
of users playing them for hours without taking a break in between.
A number of models have been produced but
elite). This version of the system was released in June 2010 and has a few different features than the Elite line, which it is poised to replace.
does not. Also the hard drive was a big difference, as it has 250 gigabytes while the Elite has 120.
have taken many steps to try and prevent them from happening again. For example, larger venting areas were installed near the sides to prevent overheating.
of the best video game systems ever produced. In -‐
tem out of 25 consoles.
-‐-‐
every category.
!e Xbox 360 By Ryan Graham
"is is a picture of the Xbox 360. Photo by Microso!
Lights, Camera, Action | 15
Wii is a video
game console created by Nin-‐tendo; it’s the
created by the brand. The four previous systems are Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64 and GameCube. The Wii is a revolution-‐ary system; it’s
that relies on the
movements of people to physically move characters in the game. The Wii remote detects movements in three dimensions so all the movements made by the gamer will be simulated onto the screen. This innovative approach made the console a favorite when it launched November 19 2006. Wii is the smallest console Nintendo has ever produced making it easy to carry around. The system only weighs 1.2 kg. Gamers also can hook up their Internet to the console, which allows friends the opportunity to interact while playing. The top games that use the Wii’s motion remote are Kirby’s Epic Yarn, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, NBA Jam, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, NHL Slap shot and Super Mario Galaxy 2. Although the Wii doesn’t focus on being a complete entertainment system with Blu-‐Ray and DVD, the gaming experience is like no other, making it a must have system.
Tdevice that was created by Sony and is the third con-‐sole created by the brand. The two previous systems are Playstation, and Playstation 2.
because the console is a digital centerpiece that in-‐cludes a built in Blu-‐Ray DVD player, ability to watch
online gaming. The console costs $299.
contained an 80 GB hard drive built into a massive frame. Owners of the original complained that the
Sony took the initiative and created a more compact -‐
nal and contains a 120 GB hard drive.
to many individuals and has a wide variety of genres like adventure, action, sports, shooter and RPG. Some popular games that fall under those genres are:
-‐den 2011, Metal Gear Solid 4, Spider-‐Man: Shattered
Dimensions, and Final Fantasy 12. Gamers will be able to enjoy the wireless controllers provided by Sony. After being charged to full capacity gamers will not need a wire to operate the system giving gamers more freedom to play their favorite games as they choose. Sony has also created a remote called play-‐station move, which allows gamers the opportunity to control characters on the screen by moving the remote. Which increases the gaming sensation and sense of realism. The only drawbacks of the system are the inability to play all playstation 2 games on the console. Also no infrared ports are included in the system, making universal remotes incompatible.
"e WiiBy Nathaniel Smith
"e PlayStation 3 By Nathaniel Smith
"is is a picture of the Wiii Photo by Nathaniel Smith
"is is a picture of the Playstation 3 Photo by Nathaniel Smith
Lights, Camera, Action! | 17 16 | Lights, Camera, Action!
Which famous actor from
Titanic said the quote: “I’m
the king of the world.”
A) Tom Hanks
B) Billy Zane
C) Leonardo DiCaprio
D)George Clooney
What movie did Russel
Crowe say the quote: “What
we do in our lives echoes
in eternity.”
A) Robin Hood
B) American Gangsters
C) Master and Commander : The
Far side of the world
D) Gladiator What Jim Carey movie
does Carey say: “Warning!
Assholes are closer than
they appear.”
A) The Mask
B) Ace Ventura Pet Detective
C) Dumb and Dumber
D) Bruce Almighty
Which actor from the movie
Anchorman said the quote:
“I’m kind of a big deal.”
A) Steve Carrel
B) Paul Rudd
C) Will Ferrel
D) Fred Willard
What movie has the
quote: “Fish are friends.
Not food.”
A) Scary Movie
B) V for Vendeta
C) Rush hour
D) Finding Nemo
Who said the quote in the
movie Rush Hour: “I’m
Blackinese.”
A) Jackie Chan
B) Chris Tucker
C) Eddie Murphy
D) Martin Lawrence
Do you know your entertainment? Battle of the Smartphones: Blackberry VS The iphone
The BlackBerry is a smart phone designed to pro-‐vide all the essentials needed to organize your life along
BlackBerry hit the shelves in 2002 and was designed by Canadian company, Research in Motion.
The capabilities of the phone include: Internet ac-‐
built in GPS system, video recorder, music player, and the ability to download applications that can assist an indi-‐
The BlackBerry’s most prominent feature is the BlackBerry messenger application. The feature allows the user to message other BlackBerry users provided they have the pin of the individual they want to message.
Considering that college students need to acquire information for school and need to contact their cohorts
to keep in touch and stay updated with your classmates without picking up the phone to call.
The BlackBerry comes in many different forms and depending on your preference it can be customized to suit your style. The different types include: The Black Bold, Curve, Pearl, Storm, Storm 2 and the brand new
Torch.Students in college need to organize their assign-‐
ments and have reminders of upcoming tests. So investing in a BlackBerry will help aid students in staying organized while having a phone that can be used for their own lei-‐sure.
Depending on the type of BlackBerry, costs can be as low as $124 dollars and as high as $899 dollars, but with all the features and capabilities of the device its worth the price and will continue to spearhead the new generation of mobile phone devices.
By Nathaniel Smith and Ryan Graham
The iPhone, which was released in June 2007, was an instant success when it hit store shelves as it provided customers with a new feel from the blackberry phones with the inclusion of touch screens. It functions
as a camera, camcorder, music player and email account.
There are currently four iPhone models out. There is the original Iphone,
the recently new iPhone 4, which was released in Canada on July
The original iPhone was released in
the United States on June 29, 2007 with the idea of having a touch screen so that users could type on the screen instead of using a keypad.
June 2008 with the new eight and 16 gigabyte models.
8, 2009, mainly consisted of the same features that the previous models had. However, this model has a camera with higher resolution and video capacity and has a faster performance than the previous models.
The latest version, the iPhone 4, added a number
allows you to have a video conference with your friends and stay connected with them wherever they happen to be.
Of course, as there is with all products there are pros and cons. One pro is the touch screen feature, which is innovative and can be found in a lot of phones now. Also, it has a larger storage capacity. The cons are that it is tied to expensive contracts and the battery life is a concern for people who use the phone extensively.
The iPhone will continue to compete with the blackberry phones, as they will battle to be called the best smartphone on the market.
18 | Lights, Camera, Action! Lights, Camera, Action! | 19
Who’s making you laugh?
COMEDIANS FROM THE GM CENTRE By Nathaniel Smith
Comedians allow us to escape the stresses the world presents and to enter the minds of indi-‐
viduals who are blessed with the gift to put a comedic spin on real life struggles and issues.
Durham Region has been blessed by the presence of Tim Allen and will be expecting Jeff Dun-‐
ham shortly at the General Motors Centre. Each stand up comedian has been cracking audiences up
for decades and will be bringing their unique brand of comedy.
Tim Allen, who is most known for his role on the popular sitcom Home Improvement and top
selling movie, The Santa Clause, performed at the General Motors Centre on October 2nd. The perfor-‐
mance garnered high praise as Oshawa residents were given the opportunity to enjoy and hear the
comical thoughts of Tim Allen.
Next on the list of Comedians to come to Durham Region is the talented Jeff Dunham who will
be at the General Motors Centre on December 9th.
Dunham is a successful stand-‐up comedian and ventriloquist who has performed on Comedy
Central and has made a guest appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. Dunham has
been referred as America’s favorite comedian and his star power will be displayed at full force in
Oshawa.
community capable of putting together a show that will entertain families of all ages.
The Durham Region will continue to put forth spectacular shows featuring marquee talent in
AJAX COMEDIAN ENTERTAINS THE DRBy Adriana Pacheco
Ian Sirota has become well known around the Durham Region as being a “funny guy”.
This past March the Ajax comedian won the Yuk Yuk Laugh Off held in the town. This win
Sirota has also gotten a role on the popular Jon Dore show, as a character called Euro trash
writer one.
MIKE MANDAL PUTS ON A CLASS ACTBy Adriana Pacheco
Class act Dinner theatre once again shows that they really know how to have a good time as
they bring in Comedian, “worlds greatest” hypnotist and seemingly Jack of all trades, Mike Mandal.
high-‐velocity trance.”
Aside from being a comedian, Mandal also holds a doctorate in clinical hypnosis and it is this
that allows him to so entrance his audience.
During the show Mandal asks for volunteers from the audience to assist him and with the
power of suggestions and some witty banter, he guides his volunteers through increasingly ludi-‐
crous mental excursions.
Mandal also uses his talents as a hypnotist to teach regular people who which to learn hypno-‐-‐
rity personal and has toured England twice teaching at martial arts academies.
He lives in Toronto with his wife and his two Bengal cats.
th and Tuesday December 14th. The doors open at 6 and the show is at 8. Tickets are still available and cost $67.96.
Lights, Camera, Action! | 21 20 | Lights, Camera, Action!
WRITING IS BEYOND HER GREATEST DREAMS
By Adriana Pacheco
“That’s nice dear. And what are you going to do make a living?” This was the reaction, Canadian fantasy writer Kelley Armstrong, Author of the Otherworld series, received when she expressed her interest in being a writer to her family. “My parents were really support-‐ive when I was young,” said Armstrong. “They always wanted to hear my stories and they would buy me journals to write in, but there was no one in my family who was creative or had a career in that type
career.” She said this mentality helped
book, Bitten, published. “I didn’t hope to be a full time writer. It was always just going to be
Bitten, I thought well if my book can just get on the shelves at the bookstore that’s enough. Becoming a full time writer was beyond my greatest dreams.”
Bitten, which is about the world’s only female Werewolf and a Werewolf pack in New York state, was meant to be a
standalone, because of her belief that her writing should only be a side job. So she was pleasantly surprised when she was contracted to write more books, although this did present somewhat of dilemma. “Werewolves are my favourite, but I couldn’t do 12 books with them,”
been hating them!” So she decided to bring in new “Supernaturals” and have a different nar-‐rator for each book, with some recurring. “Bringing in new characters keeps it fresh,” she said. “If I like the character, I have them narrate…Elena my female werewolf is easy to write for. One of the hardest is one of my witches
her daughter is easy, and I’ve just written three books in a row from her perspec-‐tive.” She said her ideas for her books come from everyday life situations but you wouldn’t always know it. “I’ve been telling stories since I could write,” said Armstrong. “Half the time I can’t even tell you what inspires me. I could be out and could overhear a conversation or I could read a newspaper
article or a movie review and think, huh that’s interesting, but wouldn’t it be even more interesting if it involved kickass werewolves? By the time I’m done you wouldn’t even recognize it from the origi-‐nal source.” Despite her success as a New York Times best selling author, Arm-‐strong, who started out as computer programmer, said it wasn’t always easy trying to write. “Before I was published my fam-‐ily or chores would get in the way. I used to only get a half hour to write at most. Then when I sold Bitten I was six months pregnant. By the time it came out two years later I had three kids. It took a lot of
-‐ter and just sit in my basement and write for the day.” She said it’s a bit easier now with her kids in school and she sets herself a word count each day, but admits if she didn’t it would be harder to get her manuscripts done on time, with all that goes on in her life. In Recent years, Armstrong has
-‐cantly.
to one,” she said. “I did four US tours this year. Until two years ago I was only doing Canadian tours. I’m going to Australia later this year.” Armstrong loves reader feedback and says she often gets the question of why her books are labeled as Horror in the bookstore. “I got in some trouble with Bitten on this,” she admits. “I said it wasn’t hor-‐ror. I love horror, I wrote horror in high
my books being in that section, but they
some vehemence. “As long as they are in the bookstore somewhere, I guess its ok,” she added laughingly.” Armstrong has just released her next YA series, called The Gathering, which is set in Vancouver B.C. and will be releasing her 14th Other World book in April 2011.
Canadian author Kelley Armstrong talks to Durham College and UOIT students about writ-ing and her new book in the YA series, called The Gathering.
Photo by Adriana Pacheco
Its served Oshawa for sixty years. Providing laughs, music and chances for young actors to show case their talent.
Verna Conant, the wife of a then-‐prominent local politi-‐
an acting group in 1928. Conant wanted a place where local actors could learn.
Secretary” in October of 1929. This was quickly followed a few
the collegiate auditorium.
Depression. Conant then reformed the group in 1950, after years of trying to do so.
From 1950 to 1982, the Oshawa Little Theatre had no actual residence. From 1950 to 1952, the shows presented by the theatre were put on at Central Collegiate. In 1952, they moved to O’Neil Collegiate and then to the McLaughlin library where they stayed for over twenty years. From 1967 to 1982, all shows were put on at Eastdale Collegiate in North Oshawa.
Finally in 1982, the group moved to their permanent home at 62 Russet Avenue, just off of Simcoe road in North Oshawa.
According to actors from the group, the early years were some of the best.
-‐ber Judith Edmonson.
“Performances were in the McLaughlin Library Audito-‐rium at that time. The play was the old-‐time melodrama “Dirty Work at the Crossroads.” With two performances to go, Bert Heaver, who was in the role of the dastardly villain was rushed off to hospital.
We didn’t know what to do. The Direc-‐tor, Harry Chapman, felt that he could walk the part but wasn’t
the lines and he didn’t want to do it script in hand. So, Norman Edmondson, who had played the male lead in the
the wings, while Harry mouthed them onstage. This technique would not work with a serious play, but it seemed to enhance the sheer corniness of it!”
Theatre President Ted Sellers said that he is very proud of the sixty years of history of the theatre. He said that the com-‐munity of Oshawa has always been a large support and that he hopes the tradition will continue in years to come.
This year for the 2010/11 seasons the theatre is put-‐ting on the shows “Arsenic and Old Lace”, which just wrapped up and “The King and I”, starting November 18. In 2011 they will be putting on “Play on” and “Waiting for the Parade” to wrap up the season. For more info, visit http://www.oshawalit-‐tletheatre.com/.
Posters of past plays at the Oshawa Little
Come and be Entertained
at.. The Oshawa Little
Theatre
22 | Lights, Camera, Action!
Monthly Movie Review December: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One
By Adriana Pacheco
The lines were long, the atmosphere lively
the close space people were made to stand in as they waited, the crowd was boisterous.
Then came the awaited time as the theatre ushers allowed people to be let into the theatre. Despite their boisterous air, as soon as the lights dimmed and the now familiar graphics for previews appeared, the audience quieted and settled down to see what would be the beginning to the end of an era.
I have long loved the boy who lived and all that goes along with him, but I have to say that in the past I have been disappointed with how the movies were presented. I felt, as a fan of the books, that too many things were being left out or changed.
It was not so this time. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part one followed its literary coun-‐terpart almost to a tee, bringing to life the darkness, loss, and desperation that seem to be the theme of the last Potter book.
For those who haven’t read the books, al-‐though most people have, without giving anything away, the story goes like this: Harry and his two loyal Friends, Ron and Hermione are on a quest of sorts to
-‐mort, has put parts of his soul in so he can never truly die. Harry must destroy all of these things, be-‐
him.
The crowd was enraptured by the stunning vi-‐suals of the movie as well as the haunting score that
Sometimes scenes in “epic movies” like Harry Potter can come across as cheesy when they are trying to show desperation and sadness but, again, Deathly Hallows has out done its counterparts. The
torture scene were perfect in their execution and the desperation, sadness and loss that the characters were feeling was palpable.
Because of how important every little thing in
made the decision, a wise decision in this case, to split the book in half and make two movies. The cut
-‐tioned torture scene and a heart wrenching character death.
The director couldn’t have picked a more per-‐fect spot with which to leave audiences craving more.
The only thing that could be a turn off to viewers is the rapid introduction and reappear-‐ance of characters that should have been brought in movies ago, but never were for some reason or other. For fans that have never read the books, this could be confusing, but for devoted fans of Potter this shouldn’t be a problem.
All in all, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hal-‐
both old and new. An excellent start to the end of what has been an era.
Movies in Theatres:
Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Leslie Mann, Rodrigo Santoro, Michael Mandel, Marc Macaulay, Johnny Rock
car accident and that he wants to live life to the fullest, even if he has to break the law to do it. He turns to a se-‐
one impossible con after another.
December 10 -‐ The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Tredder
Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Will Poulter, Bill Nighy, Gary SweetThe adventures in Narnia continue as Lucy, Edmond and their cousin are pulled back in to help Prince Caspian on a quest.
December 10 -‐ The Tourist Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Paul Bettany, Rufus Sewell, Timothy Dalton, Steven Berkoff, Christian De Sica
-‐-‐
selves in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
December 17 -‐ How do you know Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd, Jack NicholsonA romantic comedy about a love triangle.
December 22 -‐ Little Fockers Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Jessica Alba, Harvey KeitelThe Fockers return, this time in a holiday movie about raising the newest edition to the family.
NEW RELEASES FOR DECEMBER
Books coming soon:
By Bree Despain. The next book in the Dark Divine series. In the
wolf curse, but Grace’s brother Jude is still affected, and now Grace herself is feeling the stirrings of the curse.
By Zoe Archer. The fourth book in Zoe Archer’s most current series about intrepid men and women who travel the world to protect it and it’s magic.
December 7 -‐ Dead Or Alive By Tom Clancy. For years, Jack Ryan Jr. has waged a campaign against the terrorists who threaten western civilization. Now he has a new sadistic foe and will do whatever it takes to stop him.
New movie releases:
December 4 -‐ Twilight Saga: Eclipse
December 7 -‐ Shrek Forever After
December 7 -‐ Inception
December 14 -‐ The A team
December 21 -‐ Easy A
December 21 -‐ Salt
December 28 -‐ Resident evil: After life, Dec 28
December 28 -‐ The American
Lights, Camera, Action! | 23
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