Movies You Outline To? Forum

[sd5289]

For those who like having so-called "epic" movies as background noise while you're outlining, or maybe just to make yourself feel better about shutting yourself off from civilization for an unhealthy amount of time, what suggestions do you have? I'm partial to the extended editions of the LoTR trilogy (3+ hrs of traction in each movie!) as well as Gladiator. Should probably go grab The Hobbit since it has a similar quality. What else can I add to this list?

[3|ink]

I used to think this is a bad idea but I've been outlining to Star Trek lately. The 60's show. Not the movies.

[paintbynumbers]

project x and entourage...models and bottles b!*&$$$$

[Kikero]

I used to think this is a bad idea but I've been outlining to Star Trek lately. The 60's show. Not the movies.

Might try this actually.

[Tom Joad]

Maybe I will buy a tv tomorrow. This seems fun.

[Danger Zone]

Put on the theme song for Requiem for a Dream.

[brotherdarkness]

.

[sd5289]

Put on the theme song for Requiem for a Dream.

+1

I've done this. The seemingly endless loop helps generate a work ethic resulting in a "holy shit where did the last 5 hrs go" feeling.

[NotMyRealName09]

Judge judy and peoples court all day for me.

[MinEMorris]

No doubt you'll go slower. I used to think I probably lost around ~20% efficiency, but out of boredom I timed myself one time and found I was outlining at around 35% the rate I do if I just concentrate on outlining alone. I still do it because it feels good, but it's worth acknolwedging that if you just concentrated for an hour you might be able to finish and have two hours to go out and do whatever you want as opposed to sitting there and outlining during a movie for three hours.

That said, again, I still do it. I personally prefer marathoning TV shows rather than movies. There are plenty of decent shows out there, but Breaking Bad stands out to me as one I really enjoyed marathoning.

That feeling that you get when you play a video game for a few days straight, marathon 20 hours of a TV show, or something equivalent is so unique. Admittedly, it's not a very healthy feeling, but it's still such an interesting feeling..

[sd5289]

No doubt you'll go slower. I used to think I probably lost around ~20% efficiency, but out of boredom I timed myself one time and found I was outlining at around 35% the rate I do if I just concentrate on outlining alone. I still do it because it feels good, but it's worth acknolwedging that if you just concentrated for an hour you might be able to finish and have two hours to go out and do whatever you want as opposed to sitting there and outlining during a movie for three hours.

That said, again, I still do it. I personally prefer marathoning TV shows rather than movies. There are plenty of decent shows out there, but Breaking Bad stands out to me as one I really enjoyed marathoning.

That feeling that you get when you play a video game for a few days straight, marathon 20 hours of a TV show, or something equivalent is so unique. Admittedly, it's not a very healthy feeling, but it's still such an interesting feeling..

Normally I'd agree (I don't have anything playing while reading, case briefing, writing, etc.). However, outlining is a whole different ball game. It's a marathon, not a sprint. For me anyway, it's pretty clear that if you try to slog through whatever work you're doing for hours on end, not only are you less efficient, you make more mistakes versus recognizing that you need breaks and/or some kind background noise. I actually believe a saving grace of mine last semester was the marathon training I was doing. It forced me out of the house and into seeing the daylight at least once a day. I always concentrated better after that running break than I did before. Same as when I watched a specific scene out of whatever movie was randomly playing in the background. It seemed to help in breaking up the monotony.

I don't really "watch" the movies playing in the background; that's why I can't do this with a show or movie I haven't seen many times because those are something I'd actually want to stop and watch. As long as you start "early," you should be fine and everyone's got their own method. Seems to be from some of the suggestions that I'm not the only one in this camp.

[rad lulz]

So glad I'm not the only one who does this

I've watched this a few times

Real sad

[Myself]

I thought I was the only one who did this. I outline to Batman Dark Knight a lot.

[LazinessPerSe]

I can't have words while outlining/studying, but I definitely understand the background noise need. I usually put up one of the 8hr thunderstorm sounds videos from YouTube. They are oddly soothing while studying!

[MinEMorris]

Normally I'd agree (I don't have anything playing while reading, case briefing, writing, etc.). However, outlining is a whole different ball game. It's a marathon, not a sprint. For me anyway, it's pretty clear that if you try to slog through whatever work you're doing for hours on end, not only are you less efficient, you make more mistakes versus recognizing that you need breaks and/or some kind background noise. I actually believe a saving grace of mine last semester was the marathon training I was doing. It forced me out of the house and into seeing the daylight at least once a day. I always concentrated better after that running break than I did before. Same as when I watched a specific scene out of whatever movie was randomly playing in the background. It seemed to help in breaking up the monotony.

I don't really "watch" the movies playing in the background; that's why I can't do this with a show or movie I haven't seen many times because those are something I'd actually want to stop and watch. As long as you start "early," you should be fine and everyone's got their own method. Seems to be from some of the suggestions that I'm not the only one in this camp.

After I made my post I did realize that my setup is probably different from most people, and that likely has a significant impact on how watching a movie impacts my outlining. I don't have a TV; I do everything on my laptop. This means that I have to switch windows every time I want to take a peak at the movie, which obviously is much more disruptive than just looking up at a TV.

I imagine how you outline also makes a difference. I usually go through my notes in one window, read one or two paragraphs, and then try to paraphrase the content in a separate word document. Getting interrupted at any point in this process usually means that I have to start from the beginning by rereading the paragraphs. I imagine being interrupted during other outlining methods, such as ones where you basically just compile and edit your notes, entails much less of set-back.

I agree, by the way, about exercise. I'm not obssessive about having everything perfect when I'm doing intense studying, but exercise and sleep are two things that make such an immediately obvious difference in focus and attitude that I consider them near-essential. Diet would be easy to include in there, but I think if you're exercising regularly it's pretty hard to eat crap food.

I can't have words while outlining/studying, but I definitely understand the background noise need. I usually put up one of the 8hr thunderstorm sounds videos from YouTube. They are oddly soothing while studying!
I can't have words while outlining/studying, but I definitely understand the background noise need. I usually put up one of the 8hr thunderstorm sounds videos from YouTube. They are oddly soothing while studying!

I agree: lyrics are really distracting when you're studying. I also am happy to hear that I'm not the only person out there who listens to random nature crap! This site is pretty great http://www.rainymood.com/ .. I actually really like putting on that site and throwing on a song at the same time. Some songs mix so well with rain noise..

[LazinessPerSe]

I agree: lyrics are really distracting when you're studying. I also am happy to hear that I'm not the only person out there who listens to random nature crap! This site is pretty great http://www.rainymood.com/ .. I actually really like putting on that site and throwing on a song at the same time. Some songs mix so well with rain noise..

180 site

Thank you for this - I'd forgotten about rainymood.

[Redamon1]

Pandora

[courtneylove]

I listen to the Last of the Mohicans soundtrack while I'm outlining! I couldn't play the movie in the background though because I'd be distracted by flawless DDL.

[spleenworship]

Conan the Barbarian soundtrack (no words, motivating drums) or a tv show I've seen hundreds of times like Family Guy, Red Dwarf, or American Dad.

[maf70]

Harry Potter...all of them...consecutively.

[BrownLine]

The shawshank redemption, the green mile, etc. all the movies that make me question social justice and motivate me to become a good advocate.