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Sunday, August 24, 2008

Spreading the Words and a prize!

So the biggest thing I did recently was to resign my job at the movie theater. I really enjoy that job, but it was time to let someone else have the fun. I'll still help out with decorating the candy case and when the manager needs to be open during the day and needs assistance, but no more nights, weekends, or holidays.
Before I'm a "former employee", I want to share these photos of the work we did at the theater last summer when we hand-painted movie quotes on the walls. (By "we" I mean the theater manager and myself, though Jessi did help later.) These photos were taken early on, and we filled in much of the blank space since, but you get an idea of what it looks like. We will still add more sometime in the future, but it was such a huge undertaking that neither of us has the fortitude to get out the supplies again just yet.


I know I posted some time ago about words used in the decorating around my house. In the photo, the very top example is one of the labels painted in the playroom. There are several around the room, and the technique I used for those is the same as used at the theater. I didn't get photos of the process, but I want to share how it was done in case this is something you'd like to do yourself in your own home.
First the theater employees made a list of quotes - a humongous, long list because we're all movie geeks, okay. All of us who work at the theater love watching movies. Then we quote them. During our everyday conversations. Yeah, we're cool like that.

When the list was ready (65 quotes, btw), I typed up and printed out each quote in an outline font. This saved lots of ink since we didn't need solid letters, just the outline shapes. Took lots of paper and scotch tape, though.
Each quote was painted in the same paint, but we used varying fonts and sizes. If possible, I matched the font to the movie poster/logo. In order to do that, I had to download several fonts, but got them free at dafont.com. Easy.


To get them onto the wall, we taped up graphite paper, the placed the quote over top and traced with a dull pencil. Sometimes we got them crooked or we got extra lines on the wall - a little all-purpose cleaner and elbow grease usually took care of it. When the quote was traced to our liking, we used interior semi-gloss latex wall paint and small brushes to hand paint each letter.


Once they were dry, Jessi outlined each letter with a narrow-tipped gold paint pen. Gave it a "finished" look.
It's been a little over a year since we put away the brushes and paint cans, but we're still getting compliments about the walls in the lobby. People wander all over trying to figure out which movie goes with the quotes, and often we have to help them out. I usually tell them who the actor was who said it, then if they still don't know, I'll tell them. I have been amazed by the number of people who have never seen "Raiders of the Lost Ark" ("It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage) or who have never heard "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine" (Humphrey Bogart in "Casablanca"). One of the most asked about is "I'm older and I have more insurance" - do you know what movie that is from?
Just for fun, and in case we could use it in the future, why don't you leave me a comment with a quote from your favorite movie? Tell you what - you leave me a quote and I'll put your name in a drawing for a fun prize - a movie theater-themed prize no less. Kind of a fun way to wrap up my last week working there, don't you think?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Anyone that can claim to be a Regier would have to count this as the all-time best quote from a movie ever.

"Mamma always said, life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

One of the many fantastic quotes from one of the best all-time movies ever.

From your Australian movie-geek cousin

Anonymous said...

Kathy Bates?

So what will you be doing with you evenings, weekends and holidays? :)

Hope all is well.. sending hugs and kisses!

Patty

Heidi said...

Hi Tammy! I wanted to stop in and let you know that there is an award waiting for you over at my CTS blog. Stop by and pick it up when you can.

Hugs ~
Heidi

Bobbi and Kurt said...

Everyone should know that the best movie line is any line out of George Strait's mouth in Pure Country. Thanks Kim, I still think I am adopted because I don't like chocolate very much.

Darlene said...

Thanks so much for visiting my blog. What a cool idea for a theater. Great job with those movie lines!!

Barbara Allen Moore said...

Kathy Bates in "Fried Green Tomaotes" she says it to the two gals who jump the parking spot she was waiting on, so she rams them, several times. I have envied her that moment.
Can you guess where this is from?
"Beautiful creature of darkness what kind of life have you known" Hint: its a musical.

Barb

Tammy said...

Hey guys! I have the prizes gathered and will take a photo and draw a name in the morning. In the meantime, Kim, you crack me up! :o)
Bobbi - You are not alone. Angela doesn't like chocolate, either. Of course, she's not a blood relative, but we'll keep you both!
Patty - You are so correct! I say this to the theater kids all the time.
Barbie - My guess for your quote is "Phantom of the Opera" - a movie I LOVE. Gerard Butler is the Phantom and I think he's HOT.
Heidi - Thanks for the award - very sweet! I'll do a post on it this weekend.
Darlene - Welcome! I hope you come back and visit again.

Barbara Allen Moore said...

What is this thing that I have about scotsmen? Gerard Butler, David Tennet (Dr. Who), Craig Ferguson (he's so funny catch him in "Saving Grace" on DVD). I think it started with Sean Connery and then there's James McAvoy. He's so funny when he's on Craig Fergusons show. Craig's scottish accent gets even more scottish as they chat.You're right it is Phantom of the Opera. We're watching it again in DVD and Vivi is into the music.Frogger asked for the music CD for his b-day a few years ago so I sent him the set which he loved. Vivi won't let me sing along anymore, she covers my mouth with her hand and says "No sing". Kathy Bates is a breast cancer survivor and she has several movies coming out this year and next. You can get movie info at IMDB.com and biographies of favorite actors. Oh so my son is still alive...I wondered.