INTERVIEW: ARI GRAYNOR, LAUREN ANNE MILLER, KATIE NAYLON & JAMIE TRAVIS ON "FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL..."

Lauren Ann Miller, Katie Naylon, Ari Graynor & Jamie Travis in Toronto - August 2012

After doing the rounds at Sundance Film Festival this past January where it was well-received, Sex Comedy For a Good Time, Call... now is ready for its release. Toronto-born Director Jamie Travis, Actress/Producer Ari Graynor and Co-Writers Katie Naylon and Lauren Ann Miller (the latter who also stars in the Film) arrived in Toronto late Wednesday to promote what has been a labour of love for the Quartet.

For a Good Time, Call... centers around Frenemies, Katie (Graynor) and Lauren (Miller), both brought together by financial necessity in order to afford their super-fab Apartment in Gramercy Park, following the death of Katie's Grandmother.  The Duo soon find themselves starting their own Sex Line to make ends meet and under the most unlikely of circumstances, they find themselves forming an unbreakable bond. 

What many might not realize about this Story, co-penned by both Miller and Naylon, is that it actually is semi-autobiographical and yes, the latter admits to having worked prior as a Phone Sex Operator. "When you have a friend with you who is as funny and creative as Katie, it's easier. We actually cheated because we started with characters inspired by ourselves and we made a story with characters based loosely on our own archetypes. I don't know if it's officially cheating, but it certainly made things easier.".

Both Miller and Naylon give me the Backstory on their Friendship, which was sparked by a random pairing as Roommates in an off-campus Apartment during their College days at Florida State University.  Naylon admits laughingly, "Lauren didn't judge me as much as I judged her. She was quirky and sure had a lot of requirements - including a clear shower curtain and a sound machine at bedtime".  Miller went-off eventually to Los Angeles, while Naylon headed to New York City to work as a Copywriter. After much convincing and years of mailed Holiday Cards, both of them reunited in Los Angeles.  "We got settled in for a couple weeks, sat in front of a computer and wrote this", says Miller. "Honestly, I feel this is our destiny. It's some kind of magic", adds Naylon.

In addition to a hilarious and flamboyant turn from Justin Long, For a Good Time, Call.. is chalk full of Cameos including appearances by Seth Rogen (Miller's Husband), Kevin Smith, plus two Toronto talents in Nia Vardalos and Sugar Lyn Beard (formerly a DJ on KISS 92.5).  "We wrote lovers letters to all these talented people to get them to play with us", says Miller.  "Making an Independent Movie is about dreaming big and not taking 'no' for an answer.  We kept pushing and pushing and got really lucky.".

TORONTO COMICON 2012: CHARISMA CARPENTER, TIA CARRERE, KRISTANNA LOKEN, EDWARD FURLONG & MORE IN TORONTO

The Faces of Toronto Comicon 2012 (L to R): Edward Furlong, Tia Carrere, Kristanna Loken, Charisma Carpenter, Tia Carrere, Edward Furlong & Mr. Will-W.

Bringing Fans of Sci-Fi and Animation together with their Idols once again, Toronto Comicon took place this weekend at Metro Toronto Convention Centre.  Among those Celebrities to attend this year were the likes of Tia Carrere (Relic Hunter, Wayne's World), Charisma Carpenter (Angel, Buffy), Edward Furlong (Termination 2: Judgment Day), Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machine), Peter Mayhew (Star Wars), Bruce Boxleitner (TRON) and more.

The three-day Convention gave Fans an opportunity to obtain Autographs, Photo Ops and attend Q&A Sessions. And in the event you missed this round, Fan Expo Canada will be taking place between August 23-26, 2012 with Guests like Patrick Stewart (Star Trek), Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter), Gillian Anderson (The X Files) and Director Kevin Smith slated to attend. Click here for more on this.

Seaparetely Wizard World Toronto Comic Con will be taking place between April 14-15, 2012 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre also, with Talents Paul Wesley (The Vampire Diaries), Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Voyager), Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap), Amy Acker (Buffy), Dean Stockwell (Quantum Leap) all set to appear.  Click here for more.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

INTERVIEW: KEVIN SMITH ON "RED STATE"

Kevin Smith in Toronto - August 2011

Staying true to the motto of a certain Canadian Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, "Don't go where the puck is, go where it will be", acclaimed Filmmaker Kevin Smith is taking his Idol's advice all the way. Smith surprised many when he had announced recently he would be releasing his latest Film Red State independently, without the support of a major Film Distributor in its theatrical run. Instead, he has opted to tour the mould-breaking Horror Film, which centers around a group of Teenagers who answer an online invitation for Group Sex, only for things to take a dark turn when they encounter a group of violent Fundamentalists.

Prior to its Toronto Premiere last night at Underground Cinema, planted in the outskirts of Chinatown, Red State already had grossed over $1 million in Ticket Sales from Smith's rolling Tour. In addition to this, the Film has sold an additional $2 million in Ticket Sales/Merchandise, in addition to a $2 million in a Streaming/Home Video Deal with Lionsgate Films, plus another $1 million from a Video-on-Demand which will see it on the likes of NetFlix. Smith's greatest challenge in creating this Film was making a $15 million Movie for a budget of $4 million only. And he did it. The Film has proven not only that a Hockey Jersey-loving Smith is a successful Filmmaker, but also a savvy Business Man. Red State despite still not being released theatrically yet, has proven profitable  already for its Investors.  Other Directors including Academy Award Winner Francis Ford Coppola also are following suit, taking his latest work Twixt on the road also, editing the Film on-the-fly for a unique experience for Filmgoers from city to city.

KEVIN SMITH TO VISIT TORONTO FOR "RED STATE"

Red State Promo Poster

Although originally thought to premiere at TIFF 2011, Kevin Smith does it all on his own with latest Horror flick Red State. The acclaimed Actor/Director/Writer will be premiering his Film in Toronto on August 15, 2011 at Toronto’s Underground Cinema as part of a five-city Canadian Tour. Screenings will be followed by an extensive Q&A.  He will be in the City doing Press prior in the day.

The Film thus far has grossed $1 million t-date from only 15 single screenings and you too can attend the upcoming Toronto date via Ticketmaster: $70 for General Admission or $85 for Admission plus a DVD of Red State which will be shipped after October 18, 2011.

(Photo credit: Phase 4 Films)