I’m 40. If You’re a Filmmaker in Your 20’s, Watch This

Summary

In this reflective video, a seasoned creative professional shares lessons learned over years of work in photography and filmmaking. The speaker discusses the myth of achieving a 'final destination' in one's career, emphasizing that milestones like working with prestigious clients or gaining subscribers don’t bring lasting fulfillment. Instead, true satisfaction lies in the process of creation and personal growth. Drawing on examples from their own journey and the experience of Roger Deakins, the speaker encourages embracing the journey, focusing on improvement, and enjoying the work itself, rather than chasing external validation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Achieving career milestones (like getting published in major outlets) doesn’t fundamentally change your experience or satisfaction.
• 😀 External achievements, such as being hired for prestigious projects, won’t lead to personal transformation or permanent fulfillment.
• 😀 The pursuit of external goals often leads to more pressure and not necessarily to greater happiness or success.
• 😀 The real reward in a creative career comes from enjoying the process of creating, not in reaching a specific destination.
• 😀 It's important to stop viewing career success as a final destination; there will always be more to chase after you achieve your goals.
• 😀 Celebrating milestones is important, but they don’t bring lasting satisfaction or relief from personal struggles.
• 😀 The process of making and sharing work is the core of creative fulfillment, regardless of external recognition or accolades.
• 😀 Even after major career wins, the next project will still feel like 'just another project,' offering little in the way of lasting reward.
• 😀 Building a career based on love for the craft rather than external validation will lead to more sustainable fulfillment.
• 😀 The idea of a 'final destination' in a creative career is an illusion; you’ll always be working towards the next challenge, and that’s the true nature of the journey.
• 😀 Take satisfaction in the process, not just in achieving external success; finding joy in the work itself is what makes the career meaningful.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial misconception about achieving milestones in their career?

The speaker initially believed that achieving certain milestones, such as working for prestigious clients like the New York Times or National Geographic, would lead to a sense of fulfillment and that everything would become easier after reaching those goals.

How did the speaker feel after achieving major milestones in their career?

After achieving milestones like having photos published in the New York Times and National Geographic, the speaker felt a brief sense of pride, but ultimately, nothing changed in the long term. They still faced the same challenges and pressures, and they didn't feel significantly different.

What is the 'danger' that the speaker warns against when chasing career goals?

The speaker warns that the danger is in thinking there is a 'final destination' where all problems are solved. There isn't a point where everything becomes perfect, and the key is to enjoy the process of doing what you love, rather than focusing solely on the end result.

How does the speaker describe the creative journey in relation to achieving goals?

The speaker describes the creative journey as being about the process of creating and improving, not the external rewards or final achievements. While goals like getting hired for big projects or reaching a certain number of subscribers are important, the true reward lies in enjoying the process and continuing to make meaningful work.

What realization did the speaker come to about success and fulfillment?

The speaker realized that success and fulfillment do not automatically come with achieving milestones. Even after achieving notable successes, such as being featured in major publications or hitting a large number of subscribers, they found that they still had the same issues and pressures as before.

What did the speaker learn from their experience of pursuing 'pipe dream' goals?

The speaker learned that chasing 'pipe dream' goals can often lead to disappointment. Once they achieved those goals, such as becoming a DP for a Netflix show or landing larger projects, they realized that the sense of fulfillment they expected didn't materialize, and they were left seeking the next goal.

What does the speaker suggest is the true 'prize' in the creative industry?

The speaker suggests that the true prize is the ability to continue creating and sharing work. While accolades like a play button or an Oscar are nice, they don't fundamentally change the creative journey, and the real reward is the ongoing process of making and improving one's craft.

How does the speaker's perspective on success contrast with that of Roger Deakins?

Like Roger Deakins, who won an Oscar after being nominated 15 times, the speaker recognizes that major achievements don't signal an end point. Winning an Oscar or hitting a major milestone is just a step forward, and the work continues. The speaker emphasizes that success doesn't change the core of who you are or what you do.

What advice does the speaker offer to those early in their career?

The speaker advises those early in their career to focus on enjoying the process of creating rather than expecting some ultimate 'win' to make everything better. There is no 'end point' to career success, so it's important to find fulfillment in the act of making and improving.

What does the speaker mean by 'the process is the point'?

By 'the process is the point,' the speaker means that the real value in a creative career lies in the ongoing act of creating, improving, and sharing your work. Achieving milestones is secondary; the true reward comes from the satisfaction of doing what you love and continually growing as an artist.