How Motion Pictures Put the Power of Prestige in Play #atozchallenge #IndieFilm

l-r: Comedian/Actor Marlon Wayans takes a Selfie with the undefeated Boxing World Champion Floyd Mayweather at the L.A. premiere of the comedy horror film "A HAUNTED HOUSE 2." Photo courtesy of Le Studio Photography, Getty Image, HipHopWired.Prestige. Some independent film directors have it. Many others don’t -- myself included. Yet, I’m willing to bet that a lot of us wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to get it in a heartbeat. One may even seek it out, having put it on a pedestal among his or her career objectives. I was like that for a very long time.

I wanted to be a director who is considered to be on the same level as, say, Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez. Now, as I try to pinpoint what it’s worth, I wonder why I even sought it out in the first place.

What is Prestige, exactly and how do you quantify it?

For one thing, we know it sure as hell doesn't get you an Oscar...just ask Martin Scorsese. But maybe, just maybe it will get you an award of some sort.

Perhaps it could open up the right opportunities for you to land a job or meet people that can help you go places.
It might become a little easier for you to earn money for your work.
For, having Prestige may bring just the right amount of edge needed to put your name on the map.
That is, if you take advantage of it.

Prestige is what you make it.
It means nothing at all...until it does.
People start to pay more attention.
People began to take you seriously.
People give you a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T
That is what Prestige means to me.

What does having Prestige mean to YOU?

Are there any film directors would YOU consider being Prestigious?

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?