Marshall and the Movies

“The Origins Project” continues with M. Carter of “M. Carter at the Movies,” another very early discoverer of this blog. She has consistently been a great commenter and supportive blogger. Recently, she won the Best Blog Award from the Large Association of Movie Blogs’ (LAMB) awards program, the LAMMYs.

Why did you start blogging?

For a few years I worked at a small newspaper in South Carolina, and while there I started writing reviews for the Friday issue of the paper. The reviews proved to be way more popular than I anticipated; because my mugshot ran with each column, I got stopped many times and called “That Movie Girl.” When I took a new job and moved, I couldn’t give up reviewing cold turkey, so my dentist (the South – everyone’s a character) and a friend suggested I start a movie blog.

What has kept you going?

Without the encouragement of fellow bloggers, I’d likely still be blogging just once a week, never watching films outside my comfort genres. They hold me accountable; they push me to watch new things; and they challenge me to explain WHY I love or hate certain films.

Has there been a particular person (or people) that has helped you along the way?

Without the encouragement of fellow bloggers, I’d likely still be blogging just once a week, never watching films outside my comfort genres. They hold me accountable; they push me to watch new things; and they challenge me to explain WHY I love or hate certain films.

What’s the best part of being a blogger? The worst?

Some people watch movies and go on living their lives. Movies ARE my life; I live as much inside that screen as I do in the real world. And the thing I truly love about blogging is it connects me to movie nerds the world over, people who can argue violently about whether Darth Vader is technically a villain or an antihero. The worst thing? It pays peanuts.

Has blogging increased or diminished your passion for movies?

Blogging has added another dimension to my movie love because now, love a movie or hate it, I get to talk about it with people just as nerdy as I am. People in the real world, for example, will give you funny looks if you regularly work “Let’s work up a No. 6 on ’em.”

What’s your proudest moment as a blogger?

Probably I should say “Winning the LAMMY for Best Blog was the highlight of my blogging career.” It certainly was; there’s no mistaking that. But really every time I find someone who loved “Sideways” because of Paul Giamatti’s long look at Virginia Madsen, or can sing “The Ballad of Brave Sir Robin”? That day’s a good day too.

What advice would you give to someone looking to follow their passion? To someone starting a blog of their own?

Dear Future Blogger: Network like a maniac, but don’t burn yourself out – remember that you’re doing this because you love films. If you write from the heart, people will know and respect that.

Also, don’t ever say you don’t like Stephen Spielberg. People in America get killed for that.

Check out “The Origins Project” when the Mad Hatter talks about his motives for being in the blogosphere.