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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1993-11-24, Page 10Page 10 limes -Advocate, November 24,1993 SHDHS student returns home after a seven week movie adventure By Catherine O'Brien T -A staff DASHWOOD - Michael Stevens has had the thrill of a lifetime since landing the lead role this summer in the film, The Return of Tommy Tricker. The first-time actor has been busy for the past two months on lo- cation in Montreal, and on the Cook Islands, near New Zealand where he has enjoyed activities such as scuba diving, piloting a plane, swimming with sharks and restling an octopus. "1t was more than I expected," Stevens said of his adventures as an actor. The 14 -year-old also learned a lot about the behind the scenes making of a film. "They change a lot of the words and scenes while filming," he said. "And if you memorize your lines, it sounds like a robot talking instead of sounding like a natural conversa- tion." Most of the acting, he said, was improvisational. "You just need to have a general idea of what is hap- pening and then you try to make it up on your own." The movie is part of an on-going Canadian film series about Tommy Tricker, a 12 -year-old who dreams of making his own kingdom. This time Tricker is involved in an adventure while trying to help another character that's trapped on a stamp. More than 15,000 young males from across Canada tried out for the role. Stevens heard about the audition on television in early Au- gust. He was able to convince his mom Debbie to take him to_ the au- dition in Kitchener. But she was skeptical -he would be chosen. Michael Stevens points to his shirt, showing where he was while filming the Return of Tommy Tricker. "There were so many kids there. I was really surprised • when 1 found out he was one of five finalists," she said. When he finally landed the role, the director told Stevens he wasn't chosen to play Tommy Tricker, but in fact he was the character. Of course it hasn't al: -been fun and games. The filming schedule was fairly demanding with 10 and 12 -hour days. Since retuming to his home in Dashwood on November 10, Ste- vens has been busy settling back into a daily school routine and try- ing to catch up=:on two months worth of studies. "It's pretty weird to be away from school so long. I hate to say it, but 1 missed it," he said after starting at South Huron District High School last Monday. But the adventure is far from over for Stevens. He has been nominated for Most Achieved Child Actor for YTV's awards to be announced in Decem- ber. And in January he will- be busy tying up loose ends with the movie. "We have to do post synchroniza- tion," he said. That means redoing lines that may have been lost in background noise. Stevens has also been invited to ::attendtpreviews of the:movie at the *Cannes -Film Festival in France this coming May and at. the Montreal Film Festival in October. As for future acting, Stevens' -mothersaid prospects look good. "The director is confident that af- ter the film previews, Michael will have a lot of offers," she said. But for now Stevens is looking forward to the fust good snowfall so he can take his newly acquired snowmobile out for a spin. "It's -the only big thing I bought with the money 1 made," he said. Stevens was paid quite hand- somely for his part in -the film, making just under $50,000. -The majority of -the money, i}us -mother said, has been invested. His short term plans also include keeping an eye on television ads, just in case another opportunity like Tommy Tricker comes up again. "And parents say television isn't good for kids," he said. Workshop on Credit management kid's TV workshops underway habits CLINTON - Are happy with your child's television watching habits? Do- you worry . about how your child is affected by the often violent and unrealistic images that are offered .on the small screen? Ever wish that you had better strat- egies for dealing with this powerful influence in your home? These are some of the questions that will be covered at an evening discussion session titled "Kids and TV, Strategies for Parents". Parents and other caregivers are invited to attend this meeting to examine the influence of TV in their homes, talk with .other parents about ibis issue and learn positive ways of dealing /with their kids and TV. This discussion session is being sponsored by the Women Today women's centre through their Pa- renting Education Program. It will be held Thursday, November 25. 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Wom- en Today office. at 56 Huron Si Clinton (a half block west of the traffic lights). There will be a dona- tion at the door and people are asked. to pre -register as space is limited. Call 482-9706 or 1-800- 268-3094 for more information. Give someone this ..and the world will thank you. Case the ideal gift foe faintly. fnends. and ail life an E:nh - prouct an aat of Catalan .nidamas or tropical rainforest_ Only S2S. Letti scale included „tifki 4404-244atera NNW arm Frail U roe 4 CLINTON - Credit is an impor- tant tool for today's farm opera- tions, but like any tool, it can be dangerous if improperly used. Farm managers have the opportu- nity to sharpen their credit mange- ment and negotiating skills at a se- ries of two-day workshops being held across Ontario this winter starting on November 25. A positive response to pilot semi- nars held last year has led to the creation of these province -wide workshops. They, have been devel- oped under the Education and Ex- pertise Initiative of the Agriculture Investment Sttategy announced in February by Ontario Minister of Agriculture and Food Elmer Bucha- nan. The teaching teams consist of OMAF specialists, commercial lawyers, bankers and farmers expe- rienced in farm finance. They will present topics that explain security and debtors' rights, aid in negotiat- ing and structuring credit, sources and costs of credit and the effective use of credit. Class size is restricted to 12 to 20 farmers to provide maximum learn- ing -opportunities. The cost is $25 per farm business plus $15 per per- son for lunch for two days, where it is offered. Workshops are scheduled for De- cember 8 and 15, and February 16 and 23 in Clinton; and in Ailsa Craig on November 3S and Decem- ber 7, and on March 1 and 2. . . A STEPHEN JOWNSHI , 4 THE COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STEPHEN cordially invites you to attend our CHRISTMAS APPRECIATION NIGHT in honour of Warden Thomas J. Tomes and the Volunteers of the •'' Township of Stephen at Huron Park Recreation Centre Friday. December 3.199) 8:00 p.m. - Social Hour 9:00 p.m. - Program 9:30 pan. - 1;.00 a.m. - Dancing to "Nitewatch" Buffet lunch ll p.m. • • t r 4 e e 4 4 e Turkey supper a success By Mary Kooy CENTRALIA - The euchre party at Heywoods restaurant on Monday, November 15 was an- other full house. Prize winners were high score Edith Eaton, Stewart Campbell; lone hands Betty Coates, Helen MacDonald (playing a man's card); low score Lula Culbert, Andy' Thompson. Next euchre Novem- ber 29 at 2:30 p.m. The turkey supper at the Unit- ed Church on Friday evening was a great success. Before the supper a musical entertainment with Jack Wiles of St. Marys on guitar, George McLeod of Park- hill on violin, Gary Stephens of Exeter on flute, Marjorie Johns , piano, Don McCurdy, banjo and Ross McFalls on guitar was much enjoyed by all present af- ter which the supper was served, The Stewards donned aprons served the meal with a bit of help from the ladies. On Sunday at the United Church Rev. Geddes chose as his topic "Where Is Your God Now". The choir sang an an- them. The Stewards thanked every- one who helped with the turkey dinner and also the entertainers. 'While Gift service is planned for Sunday, .december 5 and Holy Communion will be held at both churches on December 12. Senior Diners ZURICH - The Senior Diners met last Wednesday with a good atten-i dance. Tammy Antaya welcomed all din- ers and informed them of upcoming events. Cathy Clark was the 50/50 winner. A poem (November) was read by Berdie Finkbeiner. Bill'Mills Sr. of London showed interesting slides of various places where he served as a Air Force Pilot in World War IL. Solo and euchre games followk,d. � l IN0'1lN0f: Numbers in the TA Phone Book for Dinney Fumiture and Dinney Funeral Service were transposed The correct numbers are: Dinney Fumiture 235-0173 Dinney Funeral Service 235-3500 101/re//,, !'c HI?NSALL - After a morning of intense exercises and word games, residents thoroughly enjoyed the af- ternoon Bingo game and Christmas Sing -a -long with the Bethel Re- formed Church Women. On Tuesday they were honoured with a special visit from the Grand Cove Choir. They entertained with beautiful Christmas tunes. The Supper Club met on Thurs- day evening for a delicious dinner. The menu consisted of a chicken pineapple stir -fry, rice pilaf, garlic bread and freshly baked cherry tumovers for dessert. After dinner the Kinettes came in to assist with a special game of Bingo. There was a variety of priz- es to select from and everyone left with at least one prize. The Baking Club met to scan on Christmas bak- ing, especially for the Open House at Queensway on December 5 from 2to4p.ni. Upcoming events: November 25 - Birthday Party; December 5 - Open house 2 to 4 p.m. Got a news tip? 2354331 A- TORO\TO'S CHESTNUT PARK HO'I'EL Bargains! Bargains! Bargains! Toronto is a city packed full of excitement and exceptional shopping, not to mention world class theaters,.fnedining•and-the -entre for winter festivities. Use the Chestnut- Pork Hotel, conveniently located adjacent to City Hall in the heart ofToronto, as your` headquarters - everything you want in downtown -Toronto is within minutes. You'll also love thewarm hospitalityaswe go out of our way to helpTou locate; reserve and arriveataillliiffhe places you waits to go! Roliday City Entertainment I'ac $98 includes 1. first class overnight accommodation 2. full buffet breakfast 3. parking 4: all taxes 5. children 1-8 and under stay fire '6. children 5 and under eat free 7. full recreation facilitiesincluding indoor pool, sauna -and whirlpool d-41m#sicadliest hospitality..-_..._.. .�_ .. fiti' rf t,,t+r, ni at t",i, `betdR tmtlti� Rat2. � tviitit dei t: a 'or I oocit Theater tickets not included. Not applicable to groups. Offer valid to January 12. 1994 excluding December 31. 1993. Subject to availability. a tt� CHESTNUT PARK 11O'TE 1. ♦ACYL A1'e"1 Or 11 All sated between Bay gad University, adjacent to Csty'ILd/ 108 Chestnut Street, Toronto, Ontario MSG 1R3 FOR—RESERVATIONS - CALL: CANADA: 1-800-668-6600 OR YOUR TRAVEL AGENT r falOMINNONIA "What would you do if you And remember. Say yes to E-NCORF `••