M. NIGHT STRANGE

Fans are campaigning (and by campaigning, I mean actually raising money) to send M. Night Shyamalan back to film school.

Seriously.

Shyamalan has a bevy of loyal followers, but apparently they've been disappointed by his recent work. The solution they've considered is a nation-wide money-drive spearheaded by author/copy writer, Chris Baker. Baker and friends have created a website where donations may be made in Shyamalan's name, so that he may return to school and further hone his craft. Baker made the following statement of the drive:

"If we all donate just one dollar, we can send M. Night back to NYU so he gets the help we all so desperately need. Together we can write a better ending to this story than M. Night could ever dream of — let alone capture on film."

Baker, whose target goal is $150,000 dollars, has managed to raise an unpretentious (but still surprising) $540.00. Shyamalan, who is not affiliated with the campaign in any capacity, is a former NYU grad who, I dare say, does not face the financial challenges that inspire nation-wide campaigns.

Baker recognizes that Shyamalan "will probably be hurt" by his campaigning, but, ironically, adds; "his movies do make money, for better or for worse, which is kind of the irony of the whole thing."

Thankfully, if Shyamalan does not accept (which, if he has any shred of decency, he won't), Baker intends to set up a scholarship fund in his name, hold a competition, and send a deserving filmmaker to NYU film school.

Of course, with all the horrific natural disaster relief, nuclear waste bleeding into the atmosphere, poverty and homelessness plaguing our nation and the world, it makes TOTAL sense raising  money to send a hugely successful filmmaker back to school. Way to go!