A Lesson on Quality from ‘The Lone Ranger’ #atozchallenge

“Forget the movie; I’d pay ten bucks just to look at this picture,” said David Letterman during his Johnny Depp interview for the upcoming action western, “The Lone Ranger.”

Letterman loves the still photo of a horse-riding scene where Depp plays a North American warrior named Tonto in the movie.

There is little room for error in the making and marketing of this $200+ million budgeted Disney flick. So, when an Emmy-winning talk show host like David Letterman delivers positive remarks about the smallest of details – a photo being just as worthwhile as the movie it represents -- you know the producers, cast and crew have done well by executing on one of key factors that makes all the difference in whether or not we live exceptional lives: Quality.

It is important to aim for quality in what you do as well as in the materials and services received from other people. This doesn’t mean you should meet or expect perfection always without fail; setting yourself up to get it right every time puts you in a better position to excel or come closer to doing so, right out of the gate.

• Put your best foot forward when participating in activities at home and at work. Don’t throw something together just to get it done. Do the kind of work that you’d be proud to share with others or at the very least, satisfied enough to want to repeat it or revel in it. 

• Put yourself in another person’s shoes and ask if you would pay for the work that you’ve done, the advice that you’ve given or the acts of service that you received. If the answer is yes, then chances are that it is of some quality. If the answer is no, then it’s time to go back to the drawing board to make improvements, or else you’ll be flirting with a state of mediocrity – and that does you no good.

• Give your undivided attention to the people who you interact with and the tasks you’re engaged in at the moment. Imagine how off-putting it feels to share a meal with someone who is so busy on his or her phone that the conversation between you two lacks substance. Think about how (not) fun it is to be in a car surrounded by drivers who are so busy texting, doing their makeup or participating in other distractions that they aren’t even looking at the road.

• Accept and use items that are built to last; cheap products and lots of mass-produced goods do not spell Q-U-A-L-I-T-Y. Buy local if you can.

While there is no guarantee that you will get high quality results in all areas of life that involve both short and long-term needs, refusing to settle for the easiest or most convenient options will likely backfire, eventually leaving you unfulfilled.

David Letterman considers Johnny Depp’s horse-riding photo from “The Lone Ranger” to be so fantastic that it “looks like a Charles Russell rendering,” especially since the actor looks like he knows what he’s doing on a pony.

Interestingly enough, Depp, who slipped, dropped and was almost “horrifically mangled” by this horse during one speedy obstacle run while shooting, told Letterman that the photo is the result of a few seconds before things went very sideways on set. Depp’s experience with what Letterman calls an “excellent” movie reminded me that while you don’t need to be perfect, you can find grand moments in the rubble of almost any circumstance to create, consume and engage in something of merit. This applies in the details of a thing; the pieces of a puzzle; not just in the main attraction.

What are one some of the things that affect YOUR Quality of life for better or worse?

Can YOU an item, product or service where you refuse to skimp on Quality?

When was the last time that YOU put convenience (or size, name, referral, color, price, familiarity, smell, texture, brand recognition, etc.) over Quality?

Marlon Wayans' New Movie Finds Laughter Amidst Horror #ahauntedhouse #nowplaying

“One of the greatest gifts you can give anybody is a smile” – Marlon Wayans

There’s no shortage of actors, producers, writers and directors who make films intended to gain awards, fame and fortune -- this is the movie business, after all. So while actor Maron Wayans is hoping for a big audience, his main goal, however, is to make people laugh. Last night, I attended a reception for the funny man’s latest flick “A Haunted House,” about a couple who encounters strange events after moving into their dream home.

The scenes in this film are infused with characteristics from modern-day horror films, which makes some fans quick to file it in the “Scary Movie” department but he insists that you think twice when categorizing it as a spoof picture. “It’s not a parody, it’s a Horror-Romantic Comedy with parody moments,” says Wayans.

Having watched “A Haunted House” at an advance screening in December 2012, I think that Wayans’ genre clarification holds some weight. This movie exceeded my expectations with a hilarious depiction of ghost whisperers, paranormal events, alternative lifestyles and the fears of what happens when a guy’s girlfriend moves in with him. Although “A Haunted House” channels themes from horror films such as “A Devil Inside” and “Paranormal Activity,” the overall plot of this Wayans production stands on its own.

I personally haven’t watched any of the horror movies that he bases some of the action on in his film, so my familiarity with a few does not extend beyond than their movie trailers. Yet, I still managed to not only follow the story in Marlon Wayans’ movie with ease but was also able to enjoy this film without much of any previous knowledge of the horror elements that underlie it -- which is something that I can appreciate. As the Oscar season kicks into gear to celebrate movies released in 2012 -- a year that, ironically, brought us sorrow via an elementary school shooting, Hurricane Sandy, “The Dark Knight Rises” massacre and related tragedies, we now get to start the New Year off with a happy face in 2013 -- thanks to a funny little movie called “A Haunted House.”

“A Haunted House” is now in Theaters!

Check your local listings for showtimes.

So tell me,
When was the last time YOU found yourself laughing hysterically at the movies?

The Daniel Craig “Method” of Filming a Scene - Do Whatever Works! #indiefilm

"Method actors suggest that you do sense memory exercises every time you do a scene. I use every method I can. Whatever works, I'll use." - Daniel Craig on his nameless role in the gangster film "Layer Cake."

While initially shooting the main scenes for a short motion picture that I’m working on, it has become obvious that some of the rules taught in schools and books about production need not apply to this particular project. Blocking scenes -- an often essential part of the moviemaking process, is one of these rules. Most filmmakers, film professors and related experts will probably tell you that blocking is necessary for everyone including cast and crew to know where to stand or which directions to move in a scene.

Yes, blocking makes things move quicker and easier since people know how they are going to fulfill whatever role they’re playing (acting, makeup, focus pulling, cinematography, etc.) in the production. I won’t deny that. Blocking can also cause confusion, divides focus and lead to actors forgetting other important parts of the scene, such as the dialogue -- something that was brought to my attention this month. On this current project, I’ve started to realize that sometimes, blocking is not a useful method for which to set up some of the scenes that we’re shooting.

British actor Daniel Craig, who plays James Bond in “Skyfall” does not adhere to one particular method of preparing for a movie scene. Instead, Craig utilizes whatever helps him get into character for the particular role and production that he is involved in. Perhaps, it would do many filmmakers some good to take a page from his book of setups and preparation -- including me.

For the most part, it does not matter how you get to your destination, so long as you make it there. What started out to be so simple in concept became a little more involved than I anticipated. Now, I must adapt and adjust where necessary to make sure that the bigger picture is not lost in the shadows of minor details like whether a guy sips his cup of tea before or after he walks through a door. It doesn’t really fucking matter -- just get him moving; and no, this scenario is not from the production I’m in the middle of now. That would be too easy.

Thank You all for visiting and interacting with this blog. I know that it’s behind on the Monday Movie Meme (let’s just skip this week, ok?) and the King Dong series among other posts. I will do what I can to keep this thing going and not lose my mind in the process.

If you have any requests with regards to these blog series or any others (movie cocktails, reviews, festivals, events, interviews, etc.), feel free to send them my way.