So it's been, oh, almost a month exactly since I last posted. My apologies...
I missed some big blog-worthy moments: MJ's passing, a very well thought out but never composed post on why jazz should be more like the NBA play-offs, and the highly insulting and controversial review of a Maria Schneider concert (I may still comment on that one...).
The reason for this unintentional hiatus? An exceptionally large and time sensitive copy project which involved recopying a singer's entire library in time for a performance she has happening at the end of next week (more on that later.)
Copy work is... boring. In many ways I feel I never evolved out of the 1950's typing pools that so many women fought to break free of. But it pays the bills (sorta) and I actually do enjoy making a contribution to the production of music, especially when it's music that I enjoy (again, more on this artist later). One thing that really helps me get through the long hours and the painstaking attention to detail that I strive to maintain is the glorious movie marathon.
Having a movie on while working creates lovely background noise and gives the ADD part of my brain something to focus on. It also helps me stick to a time schedule; I'm less likely to quit half an hour early if there is 30 minutes left of a movie, no matter how many times I've seen it! TV shows work too, if they are on DVD, but since one tends to go through 2-3 episodes in the same amount of time as the average movie, I get restless a little quicker with TV shows. An advantage to the movie marathon, as opposed to just selecting movies as you go, is that by planning your marathon ahead, usually in double or triple features, you eliminate that annoying, indecisive time wasting between movies trying not only to figure out what to watch next, but then trying find the new DVD which inevitably is not where you thought you put it, despite the supposed organization implemented on your DVD shelves.
There are a few guidelines I like to follow when creating my Copywork Movie Marathons (CMMs).
1. I MUST have seen the movies before. I love movies and will absolutely get involved in the story line and end up neglecting my work if the movie is new to me. This can get tricky when watching a movie for only the second time, depending on how much time has passed since the original viewing (there have been many times I have rendered a pre-screened movie safe for copying only to have to turn it off when catching myself glued to the screen).
2. The marathon MUST have a common element. And herein lies the fun of creating your Copywork Movie Marathon, as well as the main theme of this post. CMM themes can be based around just about any aspect of your movie watching experience. I often base my trilogies around an actor/actress, franchise, director, genre, subject, era, or even location.
3. Always have a reliable standby waiting in the wings. There are some circumstances when you just don't have the time to search your collection for the ideal CMM. Now's the time to bring out your old standby, a marathon that you automatically know will get the trick done and alleviate the time and pressure of choosing a new CMM when in a pinch. This standby is often helpful when a movie has been poorly chosen (see #1). For me, my always reliable standby is Gilmore Girls. I never get tired of watching this show and with 7 seasons to get through, I often go straight for the GGs in lieu of a movie.
In addition to the GGs, I have my regular CMMs that I turn to when a project comes up. Some faves include:
The Bourne Trilogy.
Ya can't go wrong with a little Matt Damon; just make sure you're spending more time looking at the music than dreamy Jason Bourne.
Lord of the Rings
This trilogy is the ultimate when you know you are going to be spending a loooong time in front of a tune(s). I have yet to actually watch (listen) to all three in one sitting.
X-Men Trilogy
I love these movies in the background and when the Wolverine movie comes to DVD, even though it was not my fave, I'll still buy it and add it to the marathon!
Princess Mega-Marathon
I can't help it! I'm a girl and I love princesses! These are just a few of my favorite princess movies though I don't always watch (listen) to all of them in one sitting. But they are great for those long Saturdays of all day copying!
Here are a few more that I watched on this past copy job...
Quirky Maggie Gyllenhaal - Happy Endings, Stranger than Fiction
Random Brittney Murphy Trilogy - Clueless, Uptown Girls, Sin City
Dance Quartet - Center Stage, Honey, The Company, Dance With Me
CMMs that I'd like to try...
Wine Trilogy - Walk in the Clouds, Sideways, A Good Year
Vampire Trilogy - Interview with a Vampire, Dracula, Twilight? (that one may be better paired with the Kristy Swanson Buffy the Vampire Slayer under teen vampire movies)
Music Bio Mega Marathon - Walk the Line, Ray, Bird, The Glenn Miller Story
Jane Austen Trilogy - Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice (the BBC version if its a BIG job)
Venice Double Feature - Casanova, Dangerous Beauty
Back to School Trilogy - Kindergarten Cop, Billy Madison, School of Rock
Samuel L. Jackson & Douchey White Guy Duo - Changing Lanes, A Time To Kill
Alan Moore Trilogy - From Hell, V for Vendetta, Watchmen
And then there are the franchises...
Back to the Future I, II, & II
Tomb Raider I & II (wish there was a third!)
Mummy Trilogy - Scorpion King, The Mummy, The Mummy Returns
The Karate Kid I, II, & III (never saw the one with Hilary Swank)
The Matrix I, II, & III
Pirates of the Caribbean I, II, & III
Harry Potter I-VI
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There's tons more that I can think of, but I'm interested in your ideas! Any thoughts on a good duo, trio, or mega CMM? Let me know so I can be prepared for the next big copy project!
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