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technology

Movie Review: Ruby Sparks

Created by the directors of Little Miss Sunshine (without the adorable Abigail Breslin), Ruby Sparks is about a gifted, yet struggling writer Calvin, whose therapist inspires him to meet the girl of his dreams. What’s peculiar is that Calvin (Paul Dano) meets her because he created Ruby’s character while trying to overcome writer’s block.

Anticipating a multidimensional story about Calvin writing a book within the movie, I figured my Community t-shirt, promoting the most self-referential TV show I could think of, would be highly appropriate attire for the screening.  Incidentally, a middle-aged man stopped me during the Free People opening event to ask about the characters arranged in Warhol-inspired fashion. I identified Troy and Abed, and then went to the Varsity.

Without giving too much away, it’s notable that Calvin writes Ruby a Post-it note in a far more charming manner than when Berger leaves one for Carrie in Sex And The City. That’s when I fell in love with Ruby Sparks.

After wondering if the film’s major conflict would arise when Calvin’s handy typewriter eventually broke, I was proven wrong with a wonderful ending reminiscent of (500) Days of Summer, complete with an upgraded tool to write his next works.

Lastly, the minimalist design in Calvin’s home could easily be recreated for the stage, but does Apple sponsor theatre productions too? If you’ve seen Ruby Sparks and want it to become a book and/or play, please discuss in the comments!

UPDATE: Ruby Sparks was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on October 30 and it’s available from Chapters/Indigo.

August 3, 2012 by

Behind the Brand: Sears

It’s one thing to “Like” a retailer on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

It’s quite another to learn about who promotes which clothes belong in your closet.

Name: Robin Vengroff

Position: Styling Sample Coordinator

Employer: Sears

Education: Fashion Communications, Ryerson University

Favourite blogs: Worn Fashion Journal, The Man Repeller, Jak and Jil, Garance Dore, Style Rookie, ModCloth, Refinery29

Favourite mobile app: The Collection – New York Times Fashion

Style icon: Iris Apfel, Jackie O, and my Grandmother

Professional role model: Grace Coddington (Creative Director of Vogue), Alexa White (of W) and ModCloth.com founder Susan Gregg Koger

In 140 characters or less, why can we be optimistic about the future of Sears?

Sears is focusing on gaining back the trust of its customers. It’s a matter of getting back to basics, and putting value and quality first.

What do you enjoy about working for a retailer, rather than a fashion designer or magazine?

Working for a retailer was a big to do on my fashion professional checklist for a number of reasons. I think that the experience I have had in working from both other perspectives was not really fully developed until coming into this environment. Seeing how initiatives get put into place in this kind of world is so different. I like this environment because it pertains to the realistic expectations of shoppers. Fashion magazines are about taking clothes and making them into a story to portray a theme for the season. And working for a boutique fashion designer was geared towards pleasing a very particular kind of customer and style. In this world of mass retail we also develop and market brands and a story or theme for the season, but the customer base is so much larger that I felt that it was extremely important to me in my career to understand that relationship as well.

Sears in particular was enticing for me to work for because it presented a lot of opportunity for growth within company. As a company Sears is very nurturing of its own talent – there are programs in place like the Future Leaders Program for Buyers that trains and develops the skills of employees.

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July 27, 2012 by

Coldplay Presents: Paradise at the ACC

When musicians offer concertgoers not just a phenomenal performance, but a souvenir too, it sure makes you feel like you’re in paradise.

Pun with Coldplay’s song lyrics intended, as that’s precisely how I felt last night at the Air Canada Centre, where I received a special Xyloband. With my cell phone stashed away in my purse, the stadium was brighter than usual each time the tech crew activated fans’ Xylobands; no one needed to wave lighters or waste cell phone batteries as they swayed their arms – the special bands imported from the UK did justice and then some.

If you missed the show, here are the highlights of my concert photos:

July 25, 2012 by

Facebook Connects Music Lovers

If you want to star in a music video, there’s no need to respond to a semi-sketchy casting call posted on Craigslist.

Derek Blais, art director at Tribal DDB, helped lead the creation of a music video that suits today’s narcissistic culture and sedementary lifestyle, where people want to invest minimal effort to become stars. Thanks to the “Facebook Connect” function, anyone with a Facebook account can star in Young Empires’ new music video, alongside young actors who look like tastefully dressed Abercrombie models.

I won’t bore you with the details of how the music video works. Slow internet connection? Try playing it on another computer. Director Miles Jay’s vision ensured it’s just that spectacular.

I first learned of Young Empires when fashion retailer FCUK named them artist of the month, following a competitive event promoting unsigned Canadian bands in September 2011. Little did I know that months later, they would achieve international buzz thanks to a creative interactive music video.

June 20, 2012 by

Behind the Books: Caren Lissner

It’s one thing to read an author’s books and attend their signings.

 

It’s quite another when you can get to know them without standing in line first.

Name: Caren Lissner

Best Known For: Carrie Pilby (2003)

Education: English & Creative Writing, University of Pennsylvania

Professional role model: Hmmm, hard to find one.

Current Employment and Projects:

Editor at a chain of weekly newspapers based in Hoboken, New Jersey. Project-wise, revising several different novels, including young adult novels, and hoping to publish one of them soon.

Describe your thoughts about e-reading in 140 characters or less:

Charmless but convenient.

Favourite magazine:

I just subscribed to Nerd Nite: The Magazine. Graphically, it reminds me of the old Mad Magazine, but more knowledge-oriented. Lots of fun. I also love getting Poets & Writers, New Jersey Country Roads (The Garden State does have a softer side!), and the New Yorker.

How important do you think it is for writers to be actively involved in social media? What do you predict about writers’ future role in promoting books?

It’s important for writers to get their work out there so it’s not overlooked in the rush of items competing for a reader’s attention. Writers will probably always have to promote their own work where they can. Blogging is helpful in keeping in touch with one’s readers, especially between books. And for those who really relate to your writing, they may want to know more about you.

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May 24, 2012 by