SCORE: A Hockey Musical Hits The Mark On Going Green

Astral's Harold Greenberg Fund and Planet in Focus have created an award that I believe is looooooooooooong overdue. It's called the Green Screen Award, and it was created to motivate directors, producers and even studios to make the green shift in an industry that could use a little greening. The producer and/or director with the most inspiring green-on-set-story will receive a $5,000 cash prize plus the services of Planet in Focus for FREE on their next project.

For more information about The Harold Greenberg Fund, Planet in Focus, and The Green Screen Award click here.



The very first film to hop on the Green Screen bandwagon is SCORE: A Hockey Musical. Which incidentally, will be screening on May 19th at the SilverCity Brampton Cinemas for a REEL CANADA festival extravaganza with the Peel District School Board.



I got a chance to sit down with one of the stars of SCORE: A Hockey Musical, the lovely miss Allie MacDonald, to ask her what her impressions were from being the first project to be a part of the Green Screen program.

RC: What was the general reception of going “Green” on set? Was it at all frustrating, or was everyone really excited to make the “Green Switch”?

AM: Everyone involved was behind the switch. It was a no brainer. Film sets are usually such a difficult place to find a recycle bin so I was happy to not have to trek several miles in search of one.

RC: Do you think the changes implemented could transfer over to a big budget blockbuster type motion picture?

AM: Absolutely. It's necessary. The only challenge is switching from film to digital. We used a Red One camera, which is the most comparable to film quality. With the technology continuously improving the switch will be an easier one to make for bigger budget films. Also, more and more high profile actors are demanding sets be green-ified and when I can without risk of being replaced I will too!

RC: Did you find that recycling/compost was readily available while on set?

AM: Usually on a set there's only one option, garbage. Watching the bins get filled up with plastic and recyclable material is heartbreaking. On the set of Score at every garbage bin there was also recycle bin and a compost bin. What a treat to see the garbage bins stay empty! When you take away the recyclable and the compostable waste, you're left with almost nothing.

RC: What changes in your daily life have occurred as a result of being a part of this green initiative?

AM: I am already a die hard recycler, but being part of the process made me realize how important it is to get involved outside your own home, and take initiative in educating and supporting others. Don't be afraid to speak up!

RC: 20 tonnes of Greenhouse gas were eliminated from the overall production process (tip of the cap). Any personal reflections about the experience or about the current Green Shift that seems to be taking over the globe?

AM: It was easy for me to take part in the process, but the producers and studios are the ones who need to decide to make positive changes when planning their projects. The way we do things now is simply not sustainable. The movement is growing! Be there or be square.

REEL CANADA At Meadowvale Secondary School

We travel west, on this most cinematic of days, to Meadowvale Secondary School, home of the Meadovale Falcons and one of the coolest high school lecture halls I have ever been in. With a swinging screening room, and a Tim Horton’s just a stone’s throw away – the day looked very promising!

The first film on the Meadowvale agenda is titled Terminus, by Trevor Cawood. It’s a quirky little short, only about 8 minutes in length, about a man who encounters a dancing man made entirely out of concrete. The man (human) attempts to rid himself of this new acquaintance, achieving his goals in a most unusual way towards the end. The computer graphics are second to none in this short, and it has lit a bit of a fire inside me to spend more time watching short films – they are totally worth it!



After the film, facilitator Rob Kennedy led the room in a discussion about Canada’s role as a global leader in the animation industry. Terminus also served as the inspiration for an on stage Concrete-Man dance off, the winner of which won himself a pair of tasty Cineplex tickets.

Next in line for the viewing is the Hubert Davis' feature documentary, Invisible City. A film about the hardships of living in Regent Park during a time of major community transformation. It focuses on the lives of two young men named Kendell and Mikey, as they try to stay focused on school despite peer pressure, and social prejudice, in one of the city’s most turbulent areas.



After the film, the students and teachers discussed the unique environment surrounding their school that includes both community housing as well as upper-middle class establishments. It can be easy to take for granted opportunities to see the world with a more balanced view, and the Meadowvale students launched into an insightful discussion about the environmental elements that can set people apart, and just as easily bring them together.

In the afternoon, we screened another short film, Arrowhead, directed by Peter Lynch and starring the incomparable Don McKellar. Don takes us on a journey around a suburban park recounting tales from his youth, and the discovery of a full mastodon skeleton. This film is always a hit with students, and Meadowvale did not disagree.



After screening the “mocumentary” Arrowhead, we discuss what elements are necessary for a true documentary, and if, in fact, The Jersey Shore qualifies. You decide... (and let us know).



Our second full-length feature is The Trotsky, written and directed by Jacob Tierney. It is one of my new favourite films, and I urge all of you to grab it from your local video stores and embrace the hilarity. It’s the story of a young high school student in Montreal named Leon (played by Jay Baruchel), who is thoroughly convinced that he is the reincarnation of Soviet revolutionary leader Leon Trotsky.

After staging a hunger strike at his father’s factory, Leon is tossed out of his private school and thrust into the public school system, where he makes new friends as well as enemies. Though a comedy at its core, The Trotsky takes a good look at the difference of boredom vs. apathy in the high school environment, and always leaves me wanting to start a revolution.



Last but most certainly not least, we end the day with another one of my REEL CANADA favourites, Backjumping. Jay Dahl takes us on an epic adventure past extreme waterfall diving, beyond aggressive Frisbee, up and over extreme Jam Ball, and into the realm of Backjumping. It’s a sport that involves a hockey helmet, a roll of duct tape and a lot of guts.



We end the day with our mission fully accomplished! I believe we’ve started something here at Meadowvale S.S. - Maybe we’ve inspired a new wave of documentary filmmakers, budding revolutionaries, extreme backjumpers, and most definitely some Canadian film lovers. Either way Canadian film is hitting the streets hard, and students are taking notice.