how could i forget to mention… the film students also asked if I could offer any words of wisdom (for them)? Again, I drew a blank. Who knows how long that lasted? Maybe 10-15 minutes. maybe an hour. Then I recommended that they fail at something, and then give up, completely.

Because it’s only when you give up that new things spring to the surface that never would have entered your imagination while you were trying. It’s only when you give up, that good things occur. but there’s no shortcut to get there–not drugs or potions or alcohol or television or social networking or surfing or laundry or shopping or packing or unpacking or flying or deplaning, commuting or excommunicating or hyperventilating or sex or napping or bookkeeping or rock climbing or sandblasting. you really have to pour your heart and soul into failing miserably, valiantly… and then walking away from it completely, as far as you can go. Surrender.  And that opens space to start anew.

The students looked mystified. And then I noticed that they had left the lens cap on the camera. So whatever I was telling them was already working. It was probably my best interview ever.