Reel Canada's Newest Addition

Lauren Weber is my name, and I am REEL CANADA’s newest student addition. I am working here based on my interest in the media aspect of the entertainment industry. This is a Co-operative Education placement I have arranged through York Mills Collegiate that will enable me to become more up to date with our Canadian film industry.

The film industry has always been a large interest of mine. Since I was young I always wanted to be a star, however as the years progress I have began to appreciate our Canadian artists and have decided that they are not recognised enough causing me to look at a behind the scenes future occupation. Musicals were a large part of my childhood, starring in many amateur versions of musicals including Hairspray, Rent, Annie, Starlight Express, and Rocky Horror Picture Show. As well, I was able to assistant direct children ages ten to thirteen in an amateur production of High School Musical. When performing in any manner, you realize how much talent these professionals actually have. Its rather upsetting to know how unappreciated these Canadian artists are compared to the rest of the world.

I chose to connect with REEL CANADA this year due to a fantastic experience with them last year. As you know, REEL CANADA is a traveling film festival that was created to acknowledge the infinite talent of many fellow Canadians within the film industry. The REEL CANADA experience is a warm one that caused me to be drawn in right away. Each and every person representing this company was extremely interesting, helpful and passionate about their job.

At York Mills, I was in the media class that helped prepare the visit from REEL CANADA. From setting up the green room, to watching the movies, to interacting with special guests like actor Paul Gross, director Andrew Currie and the many press people, this experience will never escape my mind. When asked where I would prefer to do a co-op, I could think of nowhere better.
(Here's Paul Gross at York Mills)

I’m very glad that I was taken in by REEL CANADA, or else I would probably be sitting in an office shredding paper. That is definitely something I would not want to be doing. A good job is all about passion, nothing turns out good if you don’t want to do it. Fortunately this job entails writing weekly reviews on the movies that are in the REEL CANADA catalogue, this enables me to view all these incredible Canadian films, and share my opinion with the cyber world. Many more tasks will come to me in the future months and I can only look forward to what’s coming my way next.

That's all for now,

- LW -