Their project is a 15-minute film called “Amalgamations”– which seems like it wouldn’t cost much, given that it is a short, right? Unfortunately, due to the hefty price of equipment and materials, it’s still pretty pricey. The duo are budgeting the film at $15, 000, which is pocket change for Hollywood directors, like Steven Spielberg, but for students (who have to pay regular school expenses and fund their own film), it is a real hardship.

Elaine and Josh have already shot the first half of their short film, and have created a trailer using that content to show people what they’re up to. Check it out below:

“Amalgamations” Teaser from Elaine Poon on Vimeo.

Looks cute, right? “Amalgamations” is about a struggling writer who meets a Belgian tourist, and (as Elaine writes in her description of the film) “their love affair inspires him to see the magic beneath the banality of life and to rediscover the joy of writing.”

The only problem is, half the film has not been shot– because they need some financial help. They have 42 days left to reach their goal of $15, 000, and are currently sitting at $2, 265. So, maybe you could help them out? There are perks to donating, and the pair are accepting a range of donations. From a $10 donation (which would give you a “thank you” in the credits) to a $2, 500 donation (which would make you an Executive Producer of the film), they definitely are prepared to show their appreciation.

I’d like to make it clear that I wasn’t bribed or paid to post this, I’m just happy to spread the word because I can’t imagine how stressful it must be for two students to come up with thousands of dollars for a school project. I also think it’s a pretty darn cool opportunity for people interested in donating. I mean, the Executive Producer cred gets you two tickets to the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto for the Ryerson University Film Festival, a mention on their IMDB page, a dinner with Josh and Elaine, plus some other cool stuff. Basically, you’d be like Mark Wahlberg (and if you have no idea what I’m talking about, I’m referring to the fact that he executive produces a pile of shows, including “Boardwalk Empire” and “Entourage.” Ballin’!)

To help or learn more about “Amalgamations,” CLICK HERE!

I found “Paper Man” in a metal bin at the back of Shopper’s Drug Mart. I hadn’t heard much of the 2009 flick, but remembered seeing stills of Ryan Reynolds in a superhero costume and horrible, bleached hair way back when. I decided to buy the DVD, on discount, at the store. It had a great cast, boasting the likes of Reynolds, Jeff Daniels, Emma Stone, Kieran Culkin and Lisa  Kudrow; and, based on the DVD’s description, it had an interesting plot. Plus, it was cheap (bonus!)

The story follows Richard (Daniels), a writer who moves to a beach house to work on his next novel. His wife, Claire (Kudrow), is a doctor in the city who only visits Richard on weekends, which makes the writer quite isolated. To battle his loneliness, Richard still talks to his childhood imaginary friend, Captain Excellent (Reynolds); but eventually finds real friendship in a 17-year-old named Abby (Stone), who he hires as a weekly babysitter (despite having no children to watch.)

“Paper Man” is so excellent, I urge you to watch. It is creative, unique, surprising and boasts an amazingly talented cast. Despite the cast containing comedic talent, “Paper Man” is not really a comedy, which is probably why it wasn’t well-received with critics. It could pass as a dark comedy, but I would consider it more of a quirky drama. Regardless of genre, this indie film is a new favourite of mine.

Just an update on my life. I graduated Ryerson University in June with my degree in journalism and have since been working as a freelance writer. I thought I would link to some of the recent blog posts I’ve written for Yahoo! Canada, so that you can take a looksy.

Cheers,

Leigh.

My blogging station during the Toronto International Film Festival

# This post is about how celebrities (like Kiefer Sutherland, Lisa Kudrow, Diablo Cody, and Joss Whedon, among others) are moving from film and television to the Internet. Check it out here: “Kiefer Sutherland stars in the online series ‘The Confession,’ but he’s not the first celeb to hit the web.”

# For a while, I’ve had this theory that Taylor Lautner’s mannerisms, voice, and facial expressions on chat shows are very similar to Matt Damon’s TV appearances. Visit: “Is Taylor Lautner taking interview cues from Matt Damon?”

# While watching an interview of Jann Arden on CBC’s “George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight,” I found it interesting that she talked about her brother’s poor treatment in prison. Apparently, readers did to, as it currently has 456 comments. Read “Jann Arden condemns poor treatment of her brother in prison” on “omg!”

# I was one of many who thought Ryan Gosling deserved People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” title for 2011. I air my grievances in “People’s Sexiest Man Alive: Was Ryan Gosling robbed?“

2.Tom Bergeron. He’s quick on his feet with awesome responses on “Dancing With The Stars.” My favourite was when he repeated judge Bruno’s bizarre comment in an incredulous tone, saying, “He has batteries in his pants?!” I feel like he would create excellent banter with Kelly Ripa and would be a great addition to the show.

3. Jerry O’Connell. Random choice, I know, but Jerry O’Connell’s silly appearances on “TMZ” always makes me laugh. Why? Because the paparazzi always catches him jogging, and, instead of being boring, he sings whatever’s playing on his iPod at the top of his lungs. Creative and goofy!

4. Matt Lauer. We already know he can dazzle fans on morning TV, so why doesn’t Matt try something new by leaving his post for “Live!”? He’d actually ask the tough questions, would know the ins-and-outs of news items, and has a fun side (those Halloween costumes are pretty wicked).

5. Seth Meyers. He’s young, talented, and certainly doesn’t have stage fright. I think Seth Meyers could handle the co-hosting post, and leaving “SNL” would make him an even brighter star. He hasn’t achieved film success, like co-star Kristen Wiig, nor has he become a household name, like Andy Samberg; so I think it’s time Seth Meyers has his due.

Who do you want to replace Regis?

With two Snow White films on the way (“Snow White and The Huntsman” and “Mirror, Mirror”), I thought of other Disney fairytale flicks that could be cast for live action. Here are my picks for actresses that could be cast as Disney princesses.

 Sleeping Beauty, Ashley Greene

Jasmine, Melinda Shankar

.

.

Cinderella, Julianne Hough.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Belle, Emma Watson

The Little Mermaid, Amy Adams

I just completed the first two seasons of the drama, which is the first generation of characters (similar to how Emma and friends were the first group on Degrassi; The Next Generation.) It is so unique, brilliant and unlike anything I’ve ever seen on television.

The show follows Tony (Nicholas Hoult, a.k.a. the boy from the Hugh Grant flick, About A Boy), a gorgeous, popular, intellectual; and the friends he surrounds himself with. But this high school drama is not your typical fluff, it’s dark and twisted, and the characters in it all have obstacles to overcome.

Skins is everything Gossip Girl promised to be: sexy, risque, dramatic, messed-up and brimming with drama. I have never seen a television show centered around teens so filled with alcohol abuse, pill addiction, drugs, sex, power-trips, and manipulation. The writers of this show aren’t afraid to take risks and it paid off, as the writing team was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award in 2008.

Also, can you spot future Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel?

Tune in and tell me your thoughts @LAMcEachran.

I’ve never read Thompson’s fiction novel, which the movie is based on, but I have read Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, as well as Jann Wenner’s biography on the writer. Having read these pieces, I can see how true this film stayed to Thompson’s spirit. “The Rum Diary” is a little slow-paced, has some laughs, a love interest, an enemy, journalism, and drugs and alcohol- all staples in Thompson’s work (especially the last two.)

As a writer, I particularly enjoyed one quote in the film, which is said by Johnny Depp’s character, Paul Kemp. Kemp, who is a journalist, says, “I’ve got no voice, I don’t know how to write like myself.” When I was a journalism student at Ryerson University, my first-year reporting teacher told my classmates and I that the hardest thing to do is write in your own voice; so I’m sure many writers, myself included, can relate to Kemp’s struggle.

I enjoyed “The Rum Diary” and, since I’ve read Thompson’s work, it lived up to my expectations. To those humming and hawing over viewing the flick, I would say that if you enjoy reading Thompson, you will probably enjoy this movie; If you don’t like his writing, then you probably won’t like this film.

Have you read The Rum Diary or seen the film adaptation? Tweet me your thoughts @LAMcEachran.

Casper is one of my favourite Halloween movies. As I kid, I loved the spookiness of the house, the drama between Kat and the mean girl, and, of course, the Devon Sawa appearance. As an adult, I love the clever script, animation that has stood the test of time, and, most of all, the pop culture references.

I recently re-watched the flick and was surprised at how much the characters in Casper refer to popular culture. When I watched the movie as a kid, these references went over my head; but, re-watching the movie, I really enjoyed all of the shout-outs to pre-1995 entertainment. I listed a few entertainment shout-outs below. Did you notice these the last time you watched Casper?

1. Dan Akroyd, dressed as his Ghostbusters character, Dr. Raymond Stantz, walks out of the haunted house saying, “Who you gonna call? Someone else!”
2. After the ghosts inhabit Dr. James Harvey’s body, Dr. Harvey looks in the mirror and his face changes. First, he is Clint Eastwood, then Rodney Dangerfield, and, lastly, an eye-brow raising Mel Gibson (back when people still considered him an attractive leading man).
3. Gorging on desserts for breakfast, Fatso says, “I feel like Oprah on hiatus!” Stretch adds, “You look like Oprah on hiatus.”
4. When the ghosts are harassing Dr. James Harvey, Fatso mimics a fashion show host, saying, “On the runway now, we have Dr. James Harvey wearing smashing underwear.” To which Stretch comments, “Marky Mark, he’s not!” (a reference to Mark Wahlberg’s Calvin Klein underwear modeling days.)
5. The three ghosts spoof Lesley Gore’s hit song “It’s My Party,” singing, “It’s my party and I’ll die if I want do, die if I want to. You will die too, when it happens to you.”
6. Kat’s dead mother, Amelia, who is now an angel, brings Casper back to life for one night, so he can attend Kat’s Halloween dance. But he will turn back to a ghost at 10 p.m, which Amelia explains is “sort of a Cinderella deal.” Casper moans, “Hey, Cinderella got until midnight!”
7. When Stretch turns into a shoe to kick Casper, he becomes a Nike brand shoe.