I'd applied to graduate school for playwriting, and I got rejected by every school. I felt that theatre was closed but that, when it came to film, the door was very slightly ajar. If I have any virtues, it's that I'm good at walking through doors that are slightly ajar.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes resilience and seizing opportunities, even when faced with rejection.
Greta Gerwig reflects on her experiences of rejection as she pursued her dreams in playwriting. Despite being turned away by graduate schools, she found an opening in the field of film, which symbolized hope and potential. Her ability to recognize and act on such slight opportunities highlights the importance of perseverance and adaptability in the face of adversity, suggesting that sometimes success comes from exploring alternatives rather than giving up.
In practice
In a motivational speech about overcoming obstacles in creative fields.
I love movies, but sometimes I think it's better for actresses not to be total cinephiles. You have to be able to do the work at some point; you can't be totally starstruck. 'I can't believe it's Woody Allen!' You have to get past that.
Acting was always the first love, but a lot of people want to be actors, and my goal was, 'Come hell or high water, I will be a part of this world, however I can.' So that just led me to throwing myself into every aspect of narrative storytelling I could.
For Mike Mills, I learned that having dance parties and crying with your cast does not make you a weak director, it makes you a strong director.
The beginning don't matter. The end don't matter. All that matters is what you do in between...the greatest reward is to know that you did your job when you were here on the planet.
If people are not laughing at your goals, your goals are too small.
The hardest thing to do is work hard when no one is watching.
Remember, success is a journey not a destination. Have faith in your ability. You will do just fine.
The fighters who give it all will be around for next year. Give it all you've got. Don't save anything.
There is nothing that teaches you more than regrouping after failure and moving on. Yet most people are stricken with fear. They fear failure so much that they fail. They are too conditioned, too used to being told what to do. It begins with the family, runs through school and goes into the business world.
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