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Solo Speaks: A One-On-One with Annie Clark
By: Addison Wylie
After being featured at Toronto After Dark, the indie Canadian thriller named Solo is making a more public appearance with a theatrical run at Toronto’s Carlton Cinema.
Carlton Cinema is a very appropriate venue seeing as the theatre and the film both share a level of independence. Carlton Cinema is a quaint theatre that feels as if you step into another world of movie watching, and Solo’s lead is left in her own world to try surviving camp initiation.
Solo serves as a debut for writer/director Isaac Cravit, marking the flick as his first feature length film. The spooky movie is also actress Annie Clark’s first foray into theatrical films. It’s a big move for Clark who is often on screen by herself and having to support the eeriness Cravit has materialized.
I wasn’t too hot on Solo as a whole. It started off strong, and progressively meandered its way into a final product that lacks punch or chills. However, Clark does a commendable job at holding her own. She turns in a promising performance that makes the audience eager to see what else she’ll do with her budding career.
Wylie Writes correspondant Sky Wylie sat down one-on-one with Clark to talk shop about Solo. The two also discuss Clark’s departure from Degrassi: The Next Generation, how a real life camp experience inspired her hopes of becoming an actress, and whether she sees a future for Isaac Cravit directing tense fare.
Listen to the free-form interview here:
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Solo is now playing at Toronto’s Carlton Cinema. Click here for showtimes!
Read my review here!
Do You Tweet? Follow These Tweeple:
Solo: @SoloTheMovie
Annie Clark: @AnnieJClark
Sky Wylie: @SkyBaby5
Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie
TIFF 2013 ENCORE: A One-On-One With Music Composer Taylor Stewart
The Newton Brothers have ears for music and a drive like no other. Not only has the duo – who is made up by Andy Grush (right) and Taylor Stewart (left) – dabbled in many different genres, but the pair have taken on a hefty load producing musical scores for seven films in eight months.
Grush and Stewart attended TIFF earlier this month to support three films they were apart of. Oculus directed by Mike Flanagan, Proxy directed by Zack Parker, and Life of Crime directed by Daniel Schechter.
The pairing have quite an impressive résumé. Before their ventures at TIFF this year, they co-collaborated on films such as Tony Kaye’s Detachment, Gary Lively’s Dungeons & Dragons: The Book of Vile Darkness, Roger Avery’s The Rules of Attraction, as well as big budget films such as The Da Vinci Code and The Mothman Prophecies.
I was able to sit down with Taylor Stewart via Skype and talk shop about the work Andy and him have made. We also talk about their experience at TIFF ’13, his musical upbringing, and the creative process of scoring a movie. Stewart also has some helpful advice for those striving to make it in the industry.
Listen here:
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Visit the official Newton Brothers website here!
More TIFF13 Coverage:
Read my Wylie Writes review of Don Jon here.
Read my Film Army review of Faith Connections here.
Read my Film Army reviews of Roland, Paradise Falls, Anatomy of Assistance, and We Wanted More here.
Read my Film Army review of The Dick Knost Show here.
Read my Wylie Writes review of McCanick here.
Read my Film Army interview with Roland’s Trevor Cornish and Paradise Falls’ Fantavious Fritz here.
Read my Film Army review of When Jews Were Funny here.
Read my Wylie Writes review of How I Live Now here.
Do You Tweet? Follow These Tweeple:
The Newton Brothers: @TheNewtonBros
TIFF: @TIFF_NET
Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie
On The Film Army Front: June ’13 Edition
For those who may be unaware, I also write on a more Canadian-savvy site called Film Army. At Film Army, contributors wish to bring filmmakers – ranging from students to up-and-comers to tenured artists – together and provide resources, news, and other relevant information in order to keep these dedicated readers in the loop regarding the film and television industry.
Contributors have some sort of tv/film experience under our belts. Some have been working behind-the-scenes on a number of sets while others are currently in school for their specified craft or choosing if film school would be the best bet for their budding careers.
As for myself, I have an education in television and video production, but found I had a lot more fun and more of a fuelled passion to write about what I love about movies and what I think other movie goers would appreciate about modern movies. Which is why I’m Film Army’s resident film critic.
I’ve been writing for Film Army for three years. I’ve reviewed feature-length movies and short films, interviewed filmmakers, provided event coverage, been a guest on Base Camp (Film Army’s exclusive podcast), and have had a ball gaining experience and watching a collection of different works.
At the beginning of every month (excluding this late entry), I’m going to provide Film Army links to my Wylie Writes readers. Just like Film Army keeps industry folk involved with television and film, I want to keep you guys in the loop with my other work.
FILM ARMY GOES CUCKOO FOR 360 SCREENINGS’ FIFTH EVENT
JOHNNY LAROCQUE’S FILM FESTIVAL HAS LEFT A MOVIEGOING IMPRINT
PLACEBO WEAVES THROUGH MOVIEGOERS
SCI-FI SIMU: ONE-ON-ONE WITH OMEGA’S SIMU LIU
MOVIEGOING HALFTIME: THE BEST AND WORST OF 2013… SO FAR
SHIPSHAPE SHORTS AT TORONTO YOUTH SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL
PELLETIER’S PRESENT FUTURE: ONE-ON-ONE WITH OMEGA’S JARED PELLETIER
CANADIAN COHEN: ONE-ON-ONE WITH BEING CANADIAN’S ROBERT COHEN
Let’s close out this first ‘On The Film Army Front’ with a pretty cool milestone. Earlier this year, I reviewed an inspiring documentary called Fame High, directed by Academy Award nominee Scott Hamilton Kennedy. It played at this year’s TIFF Kids as well as TIFF Next Wave Film Festival.
The film ended up using one of my quotes for their web poster. I’m the third quote – just above the title. Check it out! And, read my review here!
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Visit FilmArmy.ca!
Do You Tweet? Follow Us:
Film Army: @FilmArmy
Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie
Oh, Hi Wylie Writes: A Two-On-One With The Room’s Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero
Director/screenwriter/producer/star Tommy Wiseau is very proud of his movie The Room, a drama formed around a love triangle that has taken on an impressive cult status.
The film premiered in mid-2003 and left an impact on moviegoing communities. The film is baffling and has a confusing aura to it all…but it keeps drawing people in. People who are willing to bring their unbeknownst friends because “they just have to see it”.
Because of these repeat viewings and this bizarre excitement it’s aroused, The Room has been popular during midnight screenings where patrons are encouraged to interact with the film. Some of these interactions include throwing spoons at the screen, reciting memorable lines, and playing catch with a football between you and your moviegoing buddy. Don’t worry, it’ll all make sense.
Wiseau’s passion project marks its 10th anniversary this year – which is quite a feat. For the anniversary, Wiseau and actor Greg Sestero (who plays the role of Mark) came to Toronto to celebrate the long-running event.
I was very fortunate to sit down with both men and talk shop about The Room as well as other topics like Sestero’s upcoming book The Disaster Artist based on his experiences making the film, stage acting vs. acting in a film, and cinematic audience participation and whether we’ve gone too far or not.
Wiseau was vocal about how much he appreciates Toronto’s avid Room support and added that he loves Canada. When asked about the movie goers that call the film “so bad, it’s good” and “the worst movie ever made”, Wiseau explained that he doesn’t necessarily listen to that feedback. It’s a film where people can take whatever they want from it and those who have embraced it have had a blast watching Wiseau’s story unfold. “In the eighties, ‘bad’ really meant ‘good’. Like, if you’re ‘bad’, you’re ‘really good’,” Wiseau explained. I’m glad he’s keeping a bright attitude and that he’s sticking to his guns.
Listen to the interview below. The audio starts with Greg’s answer to my question, “Did you ever expect the film to pick up this much steam? Could you have predicted 10 years ago you’d be here?”:
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Special thanks to GAT PR for organizing this interview.
Tommy Wiseau’s The Room will be playing a special engagement as part of the Love Is Blind Blu 2013 Tour at Toronto’s The Royal on May 24, 25, 26.
The Room: @TheRoomMovie
The Royal: @TheRoyalCinema
GAT PR: @GATPR
Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie
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