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O&A // DIRECTORS ANNA BODEN & RYAN FLECK, ACTOR ZACH GALIFIANAKIS OF 'IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY > Because we have questions. Celebrities have answers
Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Half Nelson, Sugar) are the directors of It's Kind of a Funny Story, a coming-of-age film about a depressed and stressed-out teenager, Craig, who checks himself into the psychiatric ward of a hospital. Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) plays Bobby, another patient in the psychiatric ward who befriends the 16-year-old and acts as his mentor. The film opens tomorrow, Oct. 8. Anna, Ryan and Zach spoke with Jayplay about moviemaking, the pressures of college and Zach's facial hair.
In addition to 'It's Kind of a Funny Story, you and Anna have written and directed several other movies together. Do you always see eye-to-eye or do you have creative confrontation?
We see eye-to-chest — I'm a little bit taller than she is. We try to hash our disagreements in pre-production so once we're on set we're on the same page. That's not to say we don't have disagreements, but I think we know how to handle them efficiently.
JP: Why should college students see this film?
RY: College students have a lot of the same pressures that Craig is going through in this movie. You have a lot of stresses, not just your studies but with getting a job after college. But go see this movie — it might make you feel better for a while.
JP. What's the message college students can take away from the film?
Craig learns to appreciate the things he has.I feel like I need to remind myself to count my blessings a lot of the time.I think that we'd be a lot happier if we did that more often.
I think college kids freak out about life and the future just as much as Craig does. Do you have any advice or is the psych ward the best solution?
Go donate your plasma and then drink a six-pack. That really can calm the nerves down. The pressure of college students is ridiculous. When I was in school there was a lot of pressure, more pressure than any other time in my life, which is why I never liked school. It's good for people who work with ulcers. But chill out, young ones, chill out. Those who are chilling out too much, go clean your room and study some.
JP Now that you've done drama and comedy, could you see yourself take on a full-time dramatic role in the future?
ZG: I'd like to do a movie where I have my shirt off most of the time, like a Fabio-type guy with long hair and maybe have like a bow and arrow that I save women with.
JP: Music plays an important role in the film by helping the characters relax, connect and feel alive. What was your favorite song when you were 16?
ZG Can I only pick one Lionel Ritchie song?
"September" by Earth, Wind and Fire.
Contributed Photo: K.C. Bailey, Focus Features.
A psychotic affair; Opening tomorrow, It's Kind of a Funny Story tells the tale of two psych ward patients; one a stressed out teen (Keir Gilchrist) and the other, his bearded mentor (Zach Galifianakis).
10. All your characters seem to have a beard.
Would you ever shave it off?
Z6: I can't shave it off. I have a terrible skin affliction. I have a port wine stain in the shape of India.
JP Why's the beard your signature look?
Z6. I don't know why people are so focused on it, I've had it for like 20 years. You save 15 more minutes of sleep if you're a man and you don't have to shave.
JP As an upcoming name in the movie industry, how would you choose your role?
ZG: The first question is, "Is there any nudity?" When I find out there's not, I will read the script anyway. Most of it is comedy, but sometimes it is more of a grounded comedy that has some realism to it. That's kind of how I got lucky enough to get involved in this. As far as comedic integrity, I don't have integrity in general, comedic or otherwise.
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by Abby Davenport
Many college students think they are too young to worry about breast cancer. But Jenny McKee, a health educator at the Wellness Resource Center in Watkins Memorial Health Center, said breast cancer doesn't only affect moms, aunts and grandmas — college students are at risk too.
"One in four women are affected by breast cancer at some point in their lives," McKee said. "When we look at that depiction and how many females are on campus, it's quite alarming how many students are going to be affected by breast cancer."
In order to continue this trend, Patty Quinlan, the nursing supervisor at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said women needed to
But there is good news as well. According to the American Cancer Society, death rates from breast cancer have declined significantly among women younger than 50 since 1990.
"It's so easy to do preventative measures that you would have to ask yourself, 'Why not?' Quinlan said.
Quinlan said while women are doing breast self-exams, there are a few red flags they should be on the lookout for, such as lumps.
Quinlan said one of the main steps young women can take is to pencil a breast self-exam into their schedules once a month. Quinlan said women should have started doing monthly breast self-exams when their breasts started to develop, which is about age 13. Exams need to be done on a regular basis to be effective.
Heather Steinle, a senior from Olathe, said although she knows how to do a breast self-exam, she has never done them on a regular basis.
"Things get busy, and it just doesn't happen." Steinle said.
Breast self-exams are easy to learn how to do, and only take about five minutes to complete.
Quinlan said the rest of the steps college-aged women could take to protect themselves from breast cancer included the basics: a good night's sleep, less stress, regular exercise and good nutrition.
Edited by Lisa Curran
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Discharge from the nipple or any discolorations on the breast are two other signs that something could be wrong. While these symptoms do not always mean breast cancer, Quinlan said students should still check in with their doctors to make sure everything is OK.
"If anything has appeared that wasn't there before, it needs to be checked out by your physician right away," Quinlan said. "Then, if the physicians tells them that it's normal, then they've learned something."
A sign marking the annual fundraising event "Greek in Pink" hangs on a tree outside Wescoe Hall. The event is organized by all 45 chapters in all four greek councils. They participate by donating a ribbon. This ribbon represents Sigma Kappa sorority. Proceeds from the event benefit Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Ben Pirotte/KANSAN
VOLLEYBALL|10A
Saturday's game about more than volleyball
Proceeds from the match against Iowa State will go to breast cancer research. The match is part of Jayhawks for a Cure, a series of Kansas sporting events that aims to raise money and awareness.
Listening to the bells toll on campus
ARTS|3A
Elizabeth Berghout, resident carillonneur, has decided to play at the Campanile twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, instead of once on Sundays, as she did last year.
PARKING | 3A
Parking permit rules frustrate some faculty
INDEX
Switching near-campus lots from yellow to blue leaves students with fewer options. But it also closes parking lots to certain faculty and staff.
Classifieds...8B
Crossword...4A
Cryptoquips...4A
Opinion...5A
Sports...10A
Sudoku...4A
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