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Haldane
Central School
District
We The Students
News
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Volume 1, Issue 1
January 18,2011
Reviews
2
Ask Alex
2
Jets vs. Patriots: Play by
Play
2
Sports Flash
3
Editorial
3
Ads
3
Comics
3
An Audience Member’s Review
Of SPIDERMAN: TURN OFF THE
DARK
By Nicolas Sterling
Spiderman Turn Off The Dark is a
real role-model to all other Broadway shows. With the flying, singing
and dancing this 3 hour, 65 million
dollar phenomenon still goes on.
One actor got a concussion from a
swinging cable (who later quit) and
2 stunt people in the hospital due to
other technical failures. On December 29th, I went to the show for the
2:00 matinee. Over all the show
went well with only 1 technical failure the web that we think was to
hang over the audience didn’t come
up the and lead actor and actress
were told to act it out on stage.
Some people said the second act’s
story line wasn’t as good, but I didn’t notice it. I would recommend this
production to kids eight and up.
Although it seems great the people
working on the production have to
make over 65 million dollars and
orchestra seats are starting at a box
office price of around $145.00 (plus
additional taxes and fees). People
say it will have to run 3 years at
98% attendance for all shows to
reach profitability assuming ticket
prices don’t change. A great show
Spiderman:
Behind the Scenes of the Most Expensive
Broadway Show Ever
By Grace Seward
When Julie Taymor
agreed to be the director of Spiderman: Turn off the Dark; she had no
idea what she was in for. Soon, three
stunt men would get injured (one
breaking both of his wrists), the play
would eventually cost 65 million
dollars and would be delayed by a
year. But she didn’t know that yet.
where Spiderman was supposed to rescue Mary Jane who was hanging off the
bridge on a rope. The stunt man landed in
the orchestra pit and the show was cancelled.
tell if the show is a success, but even if
its not, I am still glad to have taken the
risk. If [you] don’t try something new
because you’re worried about failing,
then you’ll never get a chance to make
something really great.”
Before the bridge accident
there were others that brought Spider--------------------------------------------------man into debt. Yet, as always, Spiderman
Want to know more? Go to
won this battle. Michael Cohl became
Spiderman: Turn off the producer and raised more than 30 million www.wethestudentsnews.webs.com to
view a video about Spiderman: Turn off
Dark is a Broadway production that
dollars to keep the show running. As he
consists of 27 flying sequences includ- said in his interview on 60 Minutes, “You the Dark!
ing an aerial battle over the audience have to build the show you have to
member’s heads between Spiderman build.”
and the Green Goblin. Rob Bissinger,
Spiderman: Turn off the Dark
who was the assistant set designer
opened on January 11, 2011. The cast
for this production, said that he had
included Reeve Carney playing Peter
to work very closely with the flying
Parker and Jennifer Damiano playing Mary
designers in order to incorporate
Jane
Watson. Also Bono and The Edge
their methods into the scenery, but
from the band U2 wrote the lyrics. Peothat Scott Rogers, Jaque Paquin, and
ple who have worked with Bono and The
Scott Fisher were the major players
designing the flying. But, when Safety Edge have said them to be very smart
Inspectors from the New York State about storytelling and really interested in
making something new.
Department of Labor watched the
flying performances, they signed the
When asked if he knew then
flying sequences off as safe.
what he knew now, if he would still agree
Even though it was ruled to help with the set ,Rob Bissinger said
“Yes. It has been a difficult and exhausting
safe, doesn’t mean that everything
about the play was. One of the stunt challenge but also an opportunity to
work with very talented people on a
men seriously injured himself after
Reeve Carney plays Spiderman in
jumping off a bridge that many people very unique project and I am very
claimed to be 30 feet during a scene lucky to have the support and under- the new Broadway production.
standing of my family. Only time will
An Interview with Spiderman’s Set Designer: Rob
Bissinger
[Rob Bissinger was interviewed though e-mail by
Grace Seward]
Q:How does one become a set designer? A: Really, all you have to do to
become a set designer is get a job designing sets! What I mean to say is there are
no specific academic requirements and
designers come from all backgrounds. I
personally studied theatre Design at
SUNY Purchase but didn’t really become
a designer until many years later when I
got hired to work in the studio of John
Arnone. I got hired because people who
had also gone to Purchase were working
there and they remembered me from
school.
Q: What do you have to do to design a set? A: Read the play. Read the
play a lot over and over again until you
understand every part of it. Then you discuss
it with the Director and often the Author (if
they are available) to identify the “theme”.
The theme is point of the story… Once you
identify the theme— you come up with a
visual ‘concept’ that supports the theme. For
example, if the players feel trapped, then you
may want the set to feel like a prison even if
its actually set in an office. Once you have a
concept, you make a million little decisions
based on that idea and ultimately make a
world in which the story can live.
Q: How many sets did you design in
“Spiderman”? A: I am the Associate Set
Designer which means that I am in charge of
the design team that works directly under
the Set Designer, George Tsypin. Our team
created 26 different locations that appear in
over 35 scenes.
Q: Did you have any inspirations for
the set? If so, what were they? A: Many.
One of the other things that you have to do
to design a set is research. You look at lots
and lots of pictures that help visually support
your theme. For Spiderman, of course we
looked at years and years worth of ‘Marvel’
comic book artwork and other artists who
have done graphic novels, like Frank Miller
for instance. We also looked at Russian
‘constructivist’ poster art and painting (which
has a very ‘heroic’ style). We were also
greatly inspired by the architecture of New
York City, especially Queens. And also by
pop-up books.
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
Page 2
Reviews
The Mysterious Benedict
Society
Harry Potter: Book
7; Part 1
By Teresa Figueiras
Frozenberry is delightful
treat for everyone, in winter,
spring, fall, and especially summer. The idea to have the customer self-serving themselves is
brilliant. There is a variety of yogurt from chocolate to pomegranate. Also, the toppings are
remarkable because they have
fresh fruit, sweet treats and delicious syrup. But there is more.
Frozenberry has hot chocolate,
and coffee. Go to Frozenberry
for a tasty treat.
By Rebecca Gore
By Mary-Margaret Dwyer
Do you like mysteries? How about adventures? Do you like books with action and bad
guys? If you said yes to any of these topics
then this is the book for you!
I thought that Harry Potter 7 Part 1 was
absolutely AMAZING! As it was the perfect mix of
comedy, thrill, and action. As lots of you have probably heard, they split the movie into two parts to get
When Reynie sees an odd advertisement in
more money. But the real reason is because, they
the paper that states- ‘Are you a gifted child
looking for special opportunities? Mysterious
wanted to fit more of the actual book into the
things start happening. This peculiar ad emmovie. Having read the book, I know that they only
barks these peculiar children on the adventure
left out one minor detail. This movie is great for
of a lifetime. Join Reynie
Harry Potter lovers and any one
Muldoon, Kate
who loves a good action film.
Weatherhall, Sticky
Washington, and ConThere’s only one minor downside
stance Contraire on a
to this movie. It’ll make no sense
fascinating story as they
unless you’ve watched all of the
gather information
others or read the books.
about the Whisperer, a
device used to wipe the
minds of people intended. Read this book
and love it just like I did.
Ask Alex: An Advice Column
By Alex
Dear Alex:
Dear Alex:
and talk back. What should I do?
I get distracted easily. I have trouble listening an then I do horribly on tests.
Teachers always expect me to be top student
just because my older sister was. Help!
-Victim
-Distracted.
-The Younger Disappointment
Dear Distracted:
Dear Younger Disappointment:
Talk to your teacher about your problem. Tell
him/her what you are being distracted by and see
what you can do about it. If you are distracted by
the classroom that you are in, ask your teacher if
you can do your work elsewhere. If it is the other
kids, that distract you, talk to your teacher about
switching seats so that you won’t be distracted by
the kids around you.
-Alex
The first thing that you should do is stand up to them.
Tell them to stop the next time they are mean to
you. Be sure to say it loud and clear so they know
Tell your teacher that you aren’t your sister. It’s okay that you mean business. If they don’t stop, remember:
if you aren’t the top student like she is. If you are
Go Get a Grown-up.
having trouble with a subject, feel free to tell your
teacher. Always remember, even if you aren’t top
-Alex
student like your sister, you have your own special
——————————————————————
talents.
Dear Alex:
There are a few girls in my class that mock me
-Alex
Dear Victim:
Do YOU have any questions that need advice? IF so,
go on www.wethestudentsnews.webs.com to enter in
your question!
Jets vs. Patriots: Play by Play
By Claire Seward
On Sunday night there was a big game
happening, Jets vs. Patriots at Gillete Stadium—the
Patriots home field. Before the game many reporters said that the thought that the Patriots would
have victory because of their
previous win over the Jets,
45-3.
The game started
at 4:40 PM and was uneventful
until the Patriots scored a
field goal making it 3-0. The
score was the same until the
second quarter when #21 on
the Jets scored a touchdown
changing the score to 7-3, Jets
taking the lead. Not long after, the Jets landed the
football in the end zone yet again and the score
became 14-3. Many people have said that the Patriots
were not playing at their best during this game. The
third quarter brought a touchdown
for the Patriots and a two point
conversion bringing the score up to
11-14. If the Patriots were to score
again, they would take the lead. But,
Personally, I love watching
instead, the Jets landed another
touchdown to make the score 21-11.
sports as well as playing them.
Not long after that, the Patriots
-Editorial
made a field goal and changed the
score 21-14. Although you might
think this was the final score, it was
not because the Jets scored yet again and made the
score 28-14. In the last 30 seconds, the Patriots
brought the ball to the end zone and made the final
score 28-21.
The Jets will be taking off the AFC championship game to play the Steelers on the weekend of
January 23rd. If they win against the Steelers, they will
become one of the two teams to play in the Superbowl.
—————————————————————To learn more about this Jets vs. Patriots game, go to
www.wethestudentsnews.webs.com.
HALDANE CENTRAL
Ads
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Sports Flash
CALLING
By Olivia Sterling
End of the Season, or, Beginning of the End?
All writers!
While many sports fans are
fretting about how their favorite
team is going to do in the play-offs
or, getting over that their favorite
team is out and they have to pick a
new favorite to root for in the rush
If you LOVE writing or just want to
to the Superbowl, the “true football
show a bit of school spirit, PLEASE
send in your article for We the
fans” are focusing on what it will take
Students News at
for the real “super” team to win the
www.wethestudentsnews.webs.com
Superbowl.
While each team has its own special
talents, history shows that the team
that wins the Superbowl must have
the least amount of turnovers and
the strongest defense. Offense doesn’t always count as much as everyone
thinks. You have to be able to score
points but preventing the other team
from having the ball and scoring is far
more important. Everything else will
take care of itself.
A Special Thanks To:
Rob Bissinger, Umru and
Jeremy , Mimi, Olivia,
Claire, Mrs. Davis and
Mrs. Sniffen, Ms. Burok,
and the We The Students
News Staff for making this
edition of the newspaper
one of our best!
Editorial:
A Kids View of the Athletic Department at Haldane
Personally, I love watching sports
as well as playing them. I am also in
awe that my mom’s old high school
had an auditorium (yes, one with
cushioned seats) and a swim team.
And, personally, this sounds like
my dream school.
I love Haldane, and I
have no desire to switch schools,
but the athletic departments need
to be improved. We should have a
track since many people would
enjoy joining track and field, but
have the fear of injuring themselves
because of the loss of a track. We
should also improve our football
field and maybe even get a soccer
field because soccer is my passion.
I would really enjoy having new fields, but I also understand why this process has been
held off for so long. The act of
reconstructing the fields will cost
over one million dollars to complete. Despite the costs, the field
may be used for many things including football and track and will
have toilets and concession stands
according to the presentations at the
Haldane facilities public meeting on
December 21, 2010. The plans that
the spokespersons at the meeting
suggested will be both short term
and long term.
These fields, if constructed,
will be a great improvement for
Haldane and I think will help to encourage students to be fit. I hope that
the Haldane facilities will continue
with their plans to build a better field
for our school.
-------------------------------------------Make YOUR voice heard! To see the
plans the Haldane Facility has or to
vote for or against their plans go to
www.wethestudentsnews.webs.com!
Comics:
A Column For the Comedians
By Umru, Jeremy, and Mimi
Sushi By Mimi
Got Milk? By Jeremy and Umru