During my 50-year career in the film business... (Yes-it has been that long!)... I’ve been blessed to have worked on dozens of wonderful productions, traveled the world and spent quality time with hundreds of very talented and compassionate filmmakers. I’ve also learned many valuable lessons! And the most important lesson I learned is to never, ever, ever (I mean NEVER) lose your PASSION!
Passion is what sustains you through long hours, creative doubts, and the weight of responsibility that comes with directing. It fuels your determination when things go wrong and reminds you why you started this journey in the first place. Without passion, talent and technique can only take you so far.
Remember: Passion is perhaps the most important desire you need to have for a long and fulfilling career in this business. To be a great artist, you must have great passion. Without passion, you will end up thinking about your career as just a job - not as an art.
As a creative person, you need to support others in your never-ending quest to help create “visually compelling stories with believable characters who make us feel something.” That is your job!
Please believe me when I say, that to succeed in this business you must have complete confidence in yourself! You must have faith in your talent and ability! You must have the courage and tenacity to stick it out no matter what the world throws at you.
I also want to make sure you realize what kind of career you have chosen to spend your life in. The film business is not just a job or a career - it is an Artistic Lifestyle which means you need to live and breathe your art every day from now on.
Working in the entertainment business will determine which city or country you will live in. It will determine who you work with; which friends you hang around with; and which lovers you will live with. It will shape your daily rhythm, your lifestyle, and how you measure success. This industry will become a major part of your identity, influencing your values, choices, and long-term goals.
You also need to get used to the fact that, as storytellers and artists, you will never have a “normal job.” (It's also the reason why you will rarely be home on the weekend to have dinner with your family!) Your schedule will constantly shift, your income will fluctuate, and your work will demand emotional and creative investment at every stage.
And finally, this creative path you have chosen requires sacrifice both personal and professional, but it also offers freedom, meaning, and the chance to leave something lasting behind. It reminds you to protect your curiosity so your work continues to grow with every project while guiding you toward a deeper understanding of "why YOU create" so your choices shape a story that reflects your unique place in the world. :)
6 people like this
Must-read post for everyone in the industry and anyone joining the industry, Peter D. Marshall! Congratulations on the 50-year career and all your success! I agree. Never, ever, ever (I mean NEVER) lose your PASSION! When I start feeling like I'm losing passion for a script or project, I'll reread the outline to get passionate again.
5 people like this
Peter D. Marshall Thank you for sharing your guidance! I'm bookmarking this one. I'm at the "ready to break through" stage of my screenwriting career, so this is most helpful and timely.
4 people like this
Love this Peter D. Marshall. I also feel fueled by the reason why I write scripts to begin with, fueling hope in the dark night of the soul. I want the viewer to walk away feeling they can conquer the night, regardless of the bad cards dealt to them - stories fueled by hope.
4 people like this
What a great post! I often struggle with understanding what could be coming for me and all the unknowns are so daunting. Definitely a must read!
4 people like this
Thank you Peter D. Marshall for sharing such a clear and honest perspective on the realities of an artistic career.
The artistic path, due to its unpredictable nature and constant fluctuations, creates opportunities for growth in creativity and adaptability.
3 people like this
@Peter Great post, thanks. Passion is key, so true! Also, art can be a trail blazer in the ether. Despite whatever life throws at us, we navigate a path to sustain our art.
2 people like this
“Live and breathe your art every day from now on” - to me, it sounds like a dream! Although I write horror, I genuinely enjoy living in it. I see stories everywhere.
As Agatha Christie once said, “I’m always thinking about how to kill someone.”
3 people like this
Absolutely right, Peter. I too have been in the biz for 50+ years. Your words are encouraging and your advice really essential. May you all enjoy many, many years being actively creative and reaping the rewards and recognition it can bring. Good fortune to you all.
1 person likes this
ىهؤث
3 people like this
Thank you for sharing the wisdom earned from a 50-year journey. It reframes every sacrifice and fluctuation as part of a chosen path, not just an occupational hazard. Hearing that passion is the non-negotiable fuel is both a challenge and a relief. It’s a call to protect that flame above all else. Your words are a gift to anyone at any stage of this unpredictable, beautiful career!