Sunday, September 29, 2019

Tip#1163: Passion & Perseverance, Part 13 - Only The Brave

I'm feeling so grateful for the recent week that was a flurry of exciting social events! It started with my returning as a guest on Song Talk Radio for a lively discussion about the Beatles related fantasy romcom film, Yesterday. I got share my passion for the movie, Beatles's songs and talk about the many marketing tips it had for songwriters, entrepreneurs and startups. Listen here: Song Talk Radio

I then attended two networking events, Indie Hackers Toronto and IABC Toronto’s PIC Fall Social, where I met two professionals that inspired me with my quest to repackage my movies and mental health content on my social media (including this blog). They gave me a vision and reminder that people suffering from depression, or who want to help support someone, are seeking my lived experience content. I just need to find a way to get my work to them.

These new contacts left me feeling so energized, passionate and confident for days but then I started to feel the early Autumn symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It slowed down my focus and progress with my repackaging initiative. But thankfully I’ve trained myself to be aware of when SAD creeps in and took immediate self-care coping steps such as hydrate myself, get outside for a long walk and feel the vitamin D sunshine on my eyes and face. And for an added mood boost I’d watch the perfect film that always magically becomes my movie medicine of the day.

Only The Brave (2017)

The biographical drama film, Only The Brave, is based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a group of passionate, elite firefighters who risk everything to protect a town from a historic wildfire. This emotionally powerful story is filled with memorable moments of friendship and family along with stunning battles with massive forest fires. The ensemble cast including Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jeff Bridges, James Badge Dale, Alex Russell, Taylor Kitsch, Ben Hardy, Thad Luckinbill, Geoff Stults, Scott Haze and Andie MacDowell.
See: movie trailer 
Watch now: Amazon Prime

It’s best you don’t know anymore details and just see this film knowing that you will be moved by the relationships and life lessons on courage, resilience, leadership and teamwork. Perseverance is definitely a highlight especially with Brendan McDonough (Miles Teller) who is unemployed, listless and addicted to drugs. It’s his journey and inner strength you will witness as he rises above his challenges to join the firefighters unit. His training is brutal to watch as he struggles physically and mentally to keep up with his new team members and yet, with some tough love, eventually shines with confidence along with his passion for becoming a better, more responsible adult.

Inspiring Themes:
• Courage
• Confidence
• Passion
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Supportive Relationships
• Strategic Thinking

It’s movies like this that help me to persevere with my own struggles whether they are physical, mental or emotional. The movie heroes always speak deeply to my soul as if to say, “See what I overcame and accomplished? If I could do it so can you. So don’t give up. I believe in you.” 

If you find yourself feeling stuck or depressed remember to find a movie hero to inspire you to get back up again. They can help re-energize your will to move forward and re-ignite your passion and perseverance. They will remind you that you have what it takes inside to be your own hero!

Related Tips:
Tip#1104: Passion & Perseverance, Part 12 – The Untouchables
Tip#627: Perseverance & Teamwork, Part 2 - Wreck-It Ralph
Tip#158: Power of Perseverance - Battlestar Galactica 2004 


SEE EMMANUEL's:
• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com
• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com
• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com

Remember How Movies Can Help You:
A) Entertain & Escape
B) Re-energize & Release
C) Inspiration & Motivation

 http://bit.ly/cj7UIphttp://www.pinterest.com/motivatorman1/http://bit.ly/9Je5dhhttp://bit.ly/djk9Yjhttp://bit.ly/bUSAy0

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Award-winning Illustrator | Movie Blogger | Speaker | Foodie
Discover Movies As Inspirational Learning Tools!
See website: www.MoviesForMotivation.com
 
© Emmanuel Lopez 2019

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Tip#1162: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 11 - It Chapter One (2017) - It Chapter Two (2019)

I will always remember 2019 as the year I discovered how childhood bullying had unconsciously traumatized me and resulted in clinical depression. Having been picked on by other kids numerous times in schools growing up, I was scarred in ways that embedded many types of fears in me that I am finally unearthing and healing.

The 16-week day treatment program and psychotherapy I started in early 2019 was the catalyst for remembering the bullying I experienced (Read more). I then began researching more about the wounded child and Reparenting Therapy. Later on a close friend recommended a book called Complex PTSD From Surviving to Thriving by Author, Pete Walker that had many tools he’d started to use for his own childhood traumas.

I’ve yet to read this book but it inspired me to research complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) online and found a video interview with Saturday Night Live veteran Darrell Hammond who discussed this disorder and his own childhood abuse. I remembered his hilarious impressions of Sean Connery and Bill Clinton and was inspired by how his writing and work was part of his healing and therapy. I am also eager to see his documentary Cracked Up that details more of his childhood trauma. See trailer: Cracked Up: The Darrell Hammond Story 2018 ‧ Documentary

Listen to interview: The Long Arm of Childhood Trauma
With Saturday Night Live veteran Darrell Hammond, filmmaker Michelle Esrick, and Mount Sinai psychologist Jacob Ham, PhD

There was a fascinating and mind-blowing fact I learned from the interview where they brought up the true origins of Marvel Comic’s character The Hulk. They discuss that Bruce Banner/The Hulk was emotionally and physically abused as a child by his father and nurse which planted the seeds of rage and anger in Bruce that later unleashes as an adult. I found this amazing because I had no idea about The Hulk’s childhood traumas despite reading these comics as a child. It’s a bizarre, enlightening metaphor for the hidden facts about my own childhood coming to light.

Read more: The Hulk & childhood trauma

Around this time I also saw It Chapter 2 and like the first film, It Chapter One, it was difficult watching the harsh and painful bullying that happens to the main characters both as kids and as adults. But because they learn to confront their demons these became examples of films that fill me with hope for facing my own monsters.

It Chapter One (2017)

The supernatural horror film, It Chapter One, is about a group of seven bullied kids in the summer of 1989 who band together to destroy a shape-shifting monster, Pennywise in their small town of Derry, Maine. The main cast includes: Jaeden Lieberher, Wyatt Oleff, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Jack Dylan Grazer, Chosen Jacobs, Jackson Robert Scott and Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise.
See: movie trailer 
Watch now: Amazon Prime

Based on the Stephen King novel, this movie is filled with some of the same fun and nostalgia of childhood friendships that I loved in his other film Stand By Me. It also shows how they are all bonded by their shared experiences of being bullied. We then get to see them face their individual fears in some scary moments on screen. They learn the supportive power of teamwork and prove they are really winners despite calling themselves The Loser Club.



It Chapter Two (2019)

The supernatural horror film, It Chapter Two, is set in 2016, Twenty-seven years after The Loser Club’s first encounter with the evil clown Pennywise and must return to their hometown of Derry, Maine to stop his terrorizing once again. Along with the original child actors returning, their adult versions are played by Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Andy Bean and Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise.
See: movie trailer 
Watch now: Amazon Prime

There are more terrifying scenes in this second chapter and it was also fun to see the adult versions of The Loser Club and how their personalities were still prevalent decades later. At the same time we see how each of their childhood traumas have affected their lives and relationships years later. For example we see Beverly (Jessica Chastain) married to an abusive husband continuing the abuse she got from her father.

These adult heroes show their deepest fears in facing Pennywise but also in returning to their childhood memories and traumas. And yet their love and support of one another allow them to have shining moments facing their inner and outer demons. These are the moments that empower me to do the same with acknowledging my history of being bullied and learn to confront hidden fears of my wounded inner child. It’ll take time but if The Loser Club can be free of the chains of their past then so can I.

The heroes in movies, both young and old, can help inspire us to face our childhood fears. They can mirror our inner strengths to overcome the negative voices in our heads and challenge these monsters once and for all. Just remember you are not alone in your struggles. Your inner child may be wounded but along with your adult self can become each other’s greatest allies!

Related Tips:
Tip#906: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 1 - Top 10 Movies 
Tip#1149: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 9 - Rocketman
Tip#1154: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 10 - Shazam!



SEE EMMANUEL's:
• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com
• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com
• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com

Remember How Movies Can Help You:
A) Entertain & Escape
B) Re-energize & Release
C) Inspiration & Motivation

 http://bit.ly/cj7UIphttp://www.pinterest.com/motivatorman1/http://bit.ly/9Je5dhhttp://bit.ly/djk9Yjhttp://bit.ly/bUSAy0

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Award-winning Illustrator | Movie Blogger | Speaker | Foodie
Discover Movies As Inspirational Learning Tools!
See website: www.MoviesForMotivation.com
 
© Emmanuel Lopez 2019

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Tip#1161: The Power of a Song, Part 4 - Yesterday - 7 Marketing Tips

In my early teens I grew up loving the songs of The Beatles. I remember my mom had got us the two compilation albums that were red and blue and played them over and over again. My favourites were In My Life, Day Tripper, Nowhere Man, Penny Lane, Here Comes the Sun, Michelle and so many more. Their songs also influenced my own music I wrote and recorded. I cannot imagine my world without The Beatles!

So when I saw the trailer for a fantasy film that imagined a world where only one person remembered The Beatles I was intrigued. I enjoyed it the first time and then really fell in love with it on second viewing. There were so many motivational messages in it, while at the same time, was brimming with marketing tips for songwriters, entrepreneurs and startups. And it really is an awesome feel-good film!

Yesterday (2019)

The romantic comedy fantasy film, Yesterday, is about struggling musician Jack Malik (Himesh Patel), who, after a bizarre accident, finds himself the only person who remembers the Beatles and becomes famous after taking credit for their songs. This vibrant and hilarious movie is filled with Beatles classics and wonderful performances by Lily James, Kate McKinnon, Joel Fry and musician Ed Sheeran as a fictionalized version of himself.
See: movie trailer 
Watch now: Amazon Prime 

There is so much to love about this movie such as the romantic story between Jack and his first manager Ellie (Lily James). There’s also the “what if” benefits of being the only one who knows the vast song catalog of The Beatles. There are also other hilarious examples from popular culture that are now gone from the world which I won’t mention here!

This film is also a must-see for all songwriters, entrepreneurs and startups for the surprising number of marketing and branding tips that are presented. Actress Kate McKinnon is a riot as Jack’s ruthless agent and new manager Debra Hammer and yet every sentence she says about the business is unfiltered truth…  
“We need you to come to L.A. See, we pay, and then you come, and you write songs, and then we release them, and you make a ton of money. And then we take most of it!” 
I know nothing about his life because he's a product to me.

Here’s a list of 7 marketing success tips from the film:

1. Play live on the air on a radio or TV show and instantly reach a vast audience
2. Encourage audience members to record and post videos of your live performances on social media
3. Develop an image: "If you don't have an image then the lack of an image becomes an image."
4. Debra's plan: "Release the 5 best songs online, no visuals just music, the enigma of Jack Malik. Then release an astonishing era defining double album that changes popular music forever."
5. Monitor how people on social media explodes with enthusiasm over songs released online
6. Surround yourself with people who believe in you (not money driven)
7. Follow your passion, make sacrifices and don’t live a lie

The power of a song can be purely emotional and is able to unlock personal memories of times and places whenever you hear it. If you are a songwriter you have the power to touch people’s hearts with your music. And if you love hearing your favourite songs in a movie they can take on a whole new life with the stories and visuals that accompany that song. Let your spirit soar today with a powerful song or film that moves your soul!

Related Tips:
Tip#866: The Power of a Song - Ted 2 
Tip#1119: The Power of a Song, Part 2 – Bohemian Rhapsody 
Tip#1120: The Power of a Song, Part 3 – A Star Is Born 
Tip#599: The Power of Movies and Songs – Pitch Perfect 



SEE EMMANUEL's:
• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com
• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com
• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com

Remember How Movies Can Help You:
A) Entertain & Escape
B) Re-energize & Release
C) Inspiration & Motivation

 http://bit.ly/cj7UIphttp://www.pinterest.com/motivatorman1/http://bit.ly/9Je5dhhttp://bit.ly/djk9Yjhttp://bit.ly/bUSAy0

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Award-winning Illustrator | Movie Blogger | Speaker | Foodie
Discover Movies As Inspirational Learning Tools!
See website: www.MoviesForMotivation.com
 
© Emmanuel Lopez 2019

Sunday, September 08, 2019

Tip#1160: Unleash Your Fearless Confidence, Part 4 – Beverly Hills Cop

The silver lining of dealing with clinical depression and seasonal affective disorder has been getting to the root causes and triggers of the symptoms. And a severe drop in self-confidence and self-worth are the unfortunate consequences that I am discovering solutions for. This is why finding real-life heroes or cinematic heroes helps activate my indestructible optimism during dark times!

Recently I was watching a compilation of Eddie Murphy interviews on the David Letterman Show (1984-2011) and it amazed me to be reminded he was only 21 in his breakout movie debut in 48 Hours. And watching his early interviews he seemed so much older with his abundance of confidence.

This led me to re-watching the first Beverly Hills Cop which I loved so much when it was first released in 1984. I was in OCAD art college at the time and enjoyed the film purely for the fun and comedy. Years later I rediscovered Murphy’s character Axel Foley as a cinematic role model for fearless self-confidence!

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

The action comedy film, Beverly Hills Cop, is about Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy), a street-smart Detroit cop who visits Beverly Hills, California to solve the murder of his best friend. This hilarious film with many memorable moments and performances also stars a great supporting cast that include Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Ronny Cox, Lisa Eilbacher, Steven Berkoff and Jonathan Banks.
Watch now: Amazon Prime

Murphy is a comedy genius in this movie role! Much of his memorable scenes were improvised and apparently many takes were ruined because the cast, crew and even the director kept breaking out in laughter! And now having seen this for the first time in years I was newly inspired by Foley’s range of confidence styles he demonstrated.

As I wrote in previous Part 3 on Fearless Confidence, I identify three types of confidence: Cocky Confidence, Calm Confidence and Kooky Confidence (playful, silly). Foley is equally effective in any confrontation when he is in one of these three modes. For example he may be joking around while he is in a strip bar but when he observes two suspicious patrons in trench coats he shifts quickly into Calm Confidence and instructs his partners on an immediate plan of action with a calm, assertive voice.

And, of course, Foley’s Kooky Confidence, are the highlights of this film. For example there’s the scene where he demands a room at the Beverly Hills Palms Hotel or his hilarious method of getting into a private club buffet. I was inspired by Foley’s quick thinking and confidence as well as Murphy’s brilliant acting. This is what re-energizes me when I lose my own self-confidence or self-worth.

Re-watching old favourite films can inspire you in ways you’d never expect. Re-discovering these movie heroes can help you appreciate their inner strengths and encourage you to look at your own. Find a film today to help you to unleash your own fearless confidence!

Related Tips:
Tip#878: Unleash Your Fearless Confidence, Part 1 – Hysteria



SEE EMMANUEL's:
• Top Movies as Inspirational Learning Tools: www.Movies for Motivation.com
• Award-winning Illustrations: www.EmmanuelLopez.com
• Social Media Consulting Services: www.SocialMediaWingman.com

Remember How Movies Can Help You:
A) Entertain & Escape
B) Re-energize & Release
C) Inspiration & Motivation

 http://bit.ly/cj7UIphttp://www.pinterest.com/motivatorman1/http://bit.ly/9Je5dhhttp://bit.ly/djk9Yjhttp://bit.ly/bUSAy0

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Award-winning Illustrator | Movie Blogger | Speaker | Foodie
Discover Movies As Inspirational Learning Tools!
See website: www.MoviesForMotivation.com
 
© Emmanuel Lopez 2019