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Arts&entertainment 'Dan in Real Life' delivers a clever comedy for all audiences By Grant Wallace Staff Writer Gwallac2@gmail.com DAN M REAL LIFE After Steve Carell’s latest flop with “Evan Almighty", 1 was skeptical with his newest family comedy “Dan In Real Life”. Luckily, Steve decided to drop the fiction and go for a more real approach. Dan (Steve Carell) is an advice columnist for his local newspaper, lending out help to anyone who asks. Throughout the movie, Local film 'Conjurer' set to play at Fox Theatre; UWG interns discuss By Kristian Alicia Barfield Staff Writer kbarfie 7 @ my.westga .edit Several mass communications students here at the University of West Georgia got the chance to work on a real movie set last spring when the film “Conjurer” was shot in nearby Whitesburg. Freya Cole and John Anderson were just two of the students involved with “Conjurer” and they both agree that this experience was one they couldn’t pass up. Q: What exactly was your part in making “Conjurer”? Freya Cole: I was an intern for “Conjurer.” I worked under the Art Department as a “Set Dresser.” I am on the IMDB website as well under that title. Pretty awesome! I basically helped clean/set up the movie set before shooting started. Most of 'The Shape of Things' shaping up for for Townsend By Yen Nguyen Staff Writer Ynguyen 1 @my.westga .edu Art is not just an imitation of life. Life imitates art, possibly more so. Yet, how do we define art —or anything? Neil Labute’s “The Shape of Things” explores the subjectivity of art, beauty, love, relationships—life. The West Georgia Theatre Company is excited to present the brilliant workings of Laßute in “The Shape of Things.” The New Yorker magazine has called Laßute “an original voice - the best playwright to emerge in the past decade -a genius.” Graduate art student Evelyn (Yen Nguyen of Cochran) meets geeky and socially awkward Adam (Matt Hambrick of Marietta) at the museum where he works. Following the initial encounter, a romance rapidly begins, and Adam transforms into an attractive and interesting individual. Jenny (Katie the morals of his job are put to the test, making for the climax of the film. A recent widower, Dan takes his three teenage girls on their annual family trip to his family’s cottage, where he unknowingly meets the girl of his dreams. Shortly thereafter, Dan finds out that his brother, Mitch (Dane Cook), is dating the same girl. Although slightly predictable to the very tact observer, my guesses are about half the audience saw' this coming. The rest of the movie plays it very safe, leaving a “Family Stone” type feel to the film. Director Peter Hedges (“Pieces of April”, “About A Boy”) does a good job keeping Dan on his toes, making sure not to get caught with Marie (Juliette Binoche), but his tactics never branch the filming is at a house in Whitesburg, so 1 would go there and help clean/paint/ get the house ready for when filming started. 1 was also an extra in the movie. 1 don’t know if 1 made the cut but we will see at the premiere. It’s one of the scenes at an art gallery in Atlanta. So not only was I an intern, but 1 had my 15 seconds of fame as well! John Anderson: I worked as an intern with the Art Deptartment, building and dressing the sets. After production, 1 helped put together a packet for investors to review for Red 5 Production’s next feature length film. Q: Why should people see “Conjurer”? Freya Cole: I think people should see “Conjurer” because the fact it was filmed locally here in this state. The directors even came to our school to ask for help. They Watkins of Lawrenceville) and her fiance Phillip (Reginald Leach of Atlanta) are witnesses to their friend, Adam’s change in more ways than expected. Is who we think we are how people perceive us? Truth is only an opinion. There are many truths to believe but can you identify the lies? A cutting truth is in store. “The Shape of Things” will leave the audience pondering over what is false in their lives. The show is directed by Shelly Elman with Shelley Hubbard (Dallas, Ga.) as Stage Manager and Arielle Korsgaard (Villa Rica) as Asst. Stage Manager. Costumes are designed by Alan Yeong and properties provided by Daniel Barnes (Villa Rica). The scenic design is conceptualized by lan Rowswell (Adel, Ga.) and sound is supplied by Greg Hurd (Augusta). Don’t miss out on Laßute’s theatrical maturity with “The Shape of Things.” The West Georgia Theatre company out much from the norm like Ray Ramano did in “Eulogy”. Steve’s humor is often subtle and very toned down compared to his frantic behavior most notably seen in his hit TV show, “The Office”. So if you’re a fan of his corky and out-loud sense of humor seen there, this might come off a bit too bland for your tastes. But like I said earlier, this is a very family focused movie, noted in the very appropriate PG-13 rating for innuendo. Dane Cook's humor is also extremely toned down, compared to his explicit jokes that he is specifically known for. Not to mention, if anyone has been to a movie in the last year or so, you’ve more than likely noticed his acting career is starting to build up quite the resume wanted students interested in this field to get as much experience as possible. Carroll County gave their all in helping this movie get to where it’s at today. We owe it to the cast/erew to see this movie! John Anderson: “Conjurer” is an excellent example of a film that rooted its production in the local community, as well as UWG. Much of the cast and crew are residents of Georgia, and the final product is something that everyone involved can be proud of. Q: How did you get involved with the film? Freya Cole: How 1 got involved in the movie was from hearing all about the movie in my mass comm, classes, the teachers were passing out forms to sign if we were interested in interning with them. 1 got the form, turned it in and not even a day later, I got a call H Photo courtesy of UWG Theatre Characters Evelyn (left) and Adam (right) star in ‘The Shape of Things’ in the Dangle Black Box Threatre inside the Townsend Center. will offer a special preview to the community on Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the special rate of $3. The show will run in the Black Box Theatre from Nov. 14- Photo by Rottentomatoes com (“Good Luck Chuck”, “Mr. Brooks”). Aside from a few heartfelt laughs here and there, the film was relatively mild in the humor department. It does however receive major kudos for the Sondre from the production office manager’ They were quick! John Anderson: I heard rumors about a movie coming to Carrollton, and eventually the rumor materialized. Dr. Yates told me it would be a great opportunity to work with the film, and the rest is history! Q: What was your favorite/least favorite part of making this movie? Freya Cole: My favorite part of making the movie was being able to see what it’s like actually making a movie, meeting all the cast/ crew and hearing how they got in this industry. Everyone was so down to earth. The least favorite part was the long hours...you work like 12 to 14 hour days. Six days a week. John Anderson: The best part about working on this film was the connections I made. Everyday 1 met new 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 18 at 2:30 p.m. The show does contain adult language and content. For more ticket information call 678-839- 4722. Lerche soundtrack, which includes all new songs by the upcoming artist,adding great flow and substance to the film. In the end, I will say it was a very enjoyable movie to watch, with of course, a happy ending. So if you’re in the mood people who have worked on other exciting projects such as ‘Lost’, ‘Stomp the Yard’, and 'October Road’. 1 now hope to one day follow in their footsteps. The worst part about working on the movie was the time dedication. 1 worked nearly full-time on the set in Whitesburg, and spent a lot of time driving from legation to location for the movie. As an unpaid intern, it really hurt filling up my tank with no paycheck (but the experience was worth every penny). Q: What makes “Conjurer” unique? Freya Cole: The unique thing about “Conjurer’ is that they have some famous people in it...like John Schneider from the original “Dukes of Hazzard” and most famously as being the father in ‘Smallville.” Andrew Bowen also stars in it, and he is well known from Mad TV. Has Britney blacked out? By Brandi Harris Guest Writer Bharris 7 @ my.westga .edu From losing custody of her two children to her crash and bum on MTV’s 2007 Video Music Awards, many Britney Spears fans and critics expected no better from her new album Blackout. To all of our surprise, Britney Spears has not totally lost her “artistic” touch. Although her personal life may not be in order, her music career is far from over. On Oct. 30, Spears dropped her first album in four years. And in my opinion, it’s the best album she has ever released. With all of the negative publicity she has been tagged with in the last year or so, and no promoting of the album, how could her record even sell? Apparently, bad publicity is better than nothing at all, because in the first day of sales, the album sold 124,000 copies, according to eFluxMedia. tit to give Mr. Carell another shot, this would be the movie to see. But if you’re looking for something classic like Hedge’s last film, “Pieces of April”, the film doesn’t quite live up to the director’s finest hour. John Anderson: Conjurer is unique simply because it is the first major movie production associated with the Carrollton and UWG communities. Q: Give a short synopsis of “Conjurer.” John Anderson: Art photographer Shaw n Burnett reluctantly agrees to move to a rural farmhouse to help his wife .Helen, recover from the loss of their stillborn baby. Shawn begins experiencing unsettling events, but keeps the strange occurrences to himself to protect Helen’s emotional balance. As he investigates the property’s history, Shawn encounters disturbing echoes from his own troubled past (Imdb. com). “Conjurer” will premier at the Fox Theatre on Nov. 12 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $lO and the cast and crew will be there. com. Britney is predicted to take the number one spot on The Billboard 200 this week, a much better direction than the one she has been heading down. The album is full of punches at her real-life drama, including songs like “Piece of Me” and “Why Should I Be Sad,” a tune about her ex-husband Kevin Federline. I was very excited and anxious to hear the new album, and wasted no time purchasing the CD last Tuesday. I was extremely pleased after listening to the album, because Britney is back. The songs are up beat and great to dance to. She could not have picked a better time to show the world that she might be able to come back around. The album is not a flop like everyone predicted, and $lO for the CD is a steal for the great hits she produced. Hopefully, now' that she has anew record and fans are coming back to her, she can turn her personal life around and become a better mother.