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Laverne Stewart
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Rock, Paper, Scissors: The Way of the Tosser, an independent film that Fredericton's Tim Doiron and partner April Mullen wrote, directed, starred in and produced, as well as financed on their credit cards, is now being backed by the film industry's big guns.

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On the set: Fredericton native Tim Doiron, centre, and his partner, April Mullen, at left, are in post-production of their second film, GravyTrain, which also stars former Saturday Night Live cast member Tim Meadows, at right, who was just in the Disney film, Aliens in the Attic.

After garnering critical acclaim at numerous film festivals around the world, Mullen and Doiron, in association with Telefilm Canada, self-distributed the movie in theatres across Canada in March 2008.

Mullen and Doiron accompanied their film across the country, dressed up in character and held impromptu rock, paper, scissors contests along the way. The audience buzz and media attention caught the attention of Alliance Films, which picked it up with hopes of continuing its successful run by releasing it on DVD.

As soon as it was available, Mullen says she and Doiron raced down to the closest movie store to see their film on the store's shelf.

"We were like, 'Oh, my gosh! Our film!' It was right beside 17 Again and The Watchmen and to have our film on the shelves with these kinds of films is so exciting."

With lots of hard work and a little luck, Doiron says, he and Mullen have achieved something most indepedent filmmakers can only dream of.

"It's quite unbelievable. There are thousands of independent films made every year and literally you can count on one hand the number of them that actually get distribution with a recognized distributor. It's quite a feat actually when you look at it. We are really excited," says Doiron.

Alliance was so impressed by what these two young filmmakers do, it also agreed to finance their second film, GravyTrain. The filmmakers also received financial backing from Telefilm Canada.

GravyTrain is a 1970s-era buddy-cop comedy. The wonderful thing, Doiron says, is that Alliance was not only willing to back them financially but also agreed to take a hands-off approach telling them to do what they do best.

Doiron and Mullen wrote the script and appear in the film along with Tim Meadows, who holds the distinction of being the longest-serving cast member in the history of Saturday Night Live.

Mullen worked with Meadows on a movie called The Ladies Man a decade ago and says she decided back then someday she wanted to work with him again. The role he plays was written with him in mind, she says, with the hopes that he would agree to accept the part.

Also in the movie are a virtual who's-who of notable Canadian actors, including Colin Mochrie, Jennifer Dale and several others who read the script, loved it, and wanted to be a part of it.

"It's a meaty, character-based film that they could sink their teeth into and have some fun," Doiron says.

GravyTrain is now in post-production and should be released in North American movie theatres sometime in 2010.

Both Doiron and Mullen say they are thrilled to be a part of the Alliance team and say it's a dream come true.

What's next for these two? Both say they have written a couple of other scripts but they aren't sure which one they want to do next. What they are sure of is that they want to be the best filmmakers in Canada and make box office-friendly films that audiences around the world want to watch.

GravyTrain's executive producer, Michael Sparaga, says what Doiron and Mullen have managed to achieve in two years is practically unheard of in this industry and it's largely due to their hard work, tenacity and enthusiasm.

"The enthusiasm of these two kids pretty much overcomes everything."

Man dyes hair blue for Parkinson Society fundraiser

Michael Cochrane isn't feeling blue about his new hair colour.

This 37-year-old Lower Queensbury man wants to raise as much money as he can for The Parkinson Society. His father has had Parkinson's disease for nearly 30 years.

Parkinson's is a progressive neurological disorder. When cells in the brain that produce dopamine die, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease appear. Those symptoms include things such as tremors, shaking, slowness in movements, muscle stiffness, balance issues, fatigue and difficulty with speech and writing.

This is why Cochrane decided to dye his hair. He thought this would be a great way to bring attention to the work of the Parkinson Society.

"It's something I have wanted to do for a long time."

Official pledge sheets are available at The Thistle Family Restaurant in Silverwood, where Cochrane is employed.

Pledge sheets are also available in several locations in Nackawic and Woodstock. Meghan Sheehy is with the Parkinson Society Maritime Region location. She says donations are always needed to help provide support to people with this disease.

For more information you can email Cochrane at cowboy_nb.yahoo.com, visit the Parkinson Society Maritime Region website at www.parkinsonmaritimes.ca or call the Parkinson Society Maritime Region office at 1-800-663-2468.

Laverne Stewart is a staff writer at The Daily Gleaner. If you've got an interesting tidbit to share, please contact her at stewart.laverne@dailygleaner.com. Did You Hear? appears every Friday.