Tom's Top 3: February 19, 2025
Lounging Around
Hi everyone! Welcome to this week’s installment of Tom’s Top 3 Tuesdays, where I highlight three pieces of content (Podcasts/Shows/Songs/Articles/etc.) that I found interesting or noteworthy from the prior week.
I know, it’s Wednesday.
You know what, I might be a day late, but I’m trying my best.
Also, a big happy birthday to my dad. I can only hope to grow up as cool as this dude.
Love you, Dad.
Let’s get into it:
[Podcast] The Movie Business Podcast - SECRETS OF THE CHAIRMAN’S ROLE with ALAN HORN
Alan Horn has had quite the career in show business. After getting his MBA from Harvard, Horn worked for Norman Lear, cofounded Castle Rock, and served as an executive at 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros, and Disney.
This podcast supplements his chapter in The Movie Business Book by Jason E. Squire, which I am currently making my way through. I can sum up much of Horn’s advice through a series of “Don’t”s:
Don’t point fingers
Often executives are too quick to assign blame (it’s always marketing’s fault), when it is a team effort
Don’t take credit
Give credit to the artists that actually make the film
Don’t lie
To lead, you need people to follow you, and they won’t follow you if they don’t trust you, and they won’t trust you if you lie to them
My favorite quote from his section in the book is as follows:
One of the things that tends to separate executives with longevity from those without is the possession of creative judgment that happens to coincide with audience taste.
The question is whether or not one could learn taste. Horn espouses the importance of the screenplay, as its the stage of a film’s development where the studio has the most control. Since everything flows from the screenplay, it is important to get that right. He contends that all great movies have a combination of heart and humor. It obviously worked for him.
[Experience] Capital One Landing
I just got back from DC. I had booked my flights through DCA, not knowing any better. I would soon find out that my friend’s house is 10 minutes away from Dulles International Airport, not DCA.
This meant that I had to wake up much earlier for my morning flight home. Tired, I made my way through security and checked my phone. My flight was delayed.
In desperate need of coffee, I drifted like a moth to the fluorescent glow of the airport map. Starbucks, perhaps? A little Dunky?
Resigning myself to some lackluster $6 airport coffee, something caught my eye on the map: the Capital One Landing.
I have access to the Capital One Lounges through my Venture X credit card, but I have never actually been able to visit one. With the extra time from my flight’s delay, I figured this was the perfect time.
And it delivered, big time.
Here is the description of the Capital One Landing by Upgraded Points:
Capital One Landing is a new collaboration with chef José Andrés that elevates travelers’ dining experience at the airport. Visitors can enjoy a restaurant-style experience with access to power outlets, Wi-Fi, and luggage nooks.
I kind of balled out. I was tired, hungry, and curious, so naturally I tried every tapa on the menu. I also enjoyed a nice latte and espresso martini. Best part, it was all free.
I can’t imagine all Capital One lounges are this exceptional, but if I’m ever back in DCA, I’ll make sure to stop by.
[Product] BRISIRA Swim Trunks
Want some cheap Amazon swim trunks that don’t feel cheap? I got your guy.
I wouldn’t recommend these for any serious water sports, but for lounging around the pool or the beach, these are perfect. They’re comfortable and, dare I say, stylish?
They certainly get the job done, and I’ve seen them on sale multiple times as well.
That wraps up this edition of Tom’s Top 3 Tuesdays. If you made it to this point, please drop a 1️⃣, 2️⃣, or 3️⃣ in the comments to let me know what you found most interesting/useful. And as always, please like and consider sharing with a friend who you think would enjoy! I’ll be back next week. ✌️
2. And Dad. ❤️