How I Built This with Guy Raz How I Built Resilience: M. Night Shyamalan
Feb 4, 2021
M. Night Shyamalan, the acclaimed filmmaker behind hits like 'The Sixth Sense' and 'Unbreakable,' shares his journey through self-doubt and resilience in filmmaking. He discusses the creative solitude necessary for innovation and how the pandemic reshaped his projects, including 'Servant' and 'Old.' Reflecting on his childhood, he emphasizes storytelling's emotional power and the importance of diverse voices. Despite past successes, he reveals the constant struggle to prove himself with each new venture, inspiring emerging artists to boldly share their narratives.
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Create Space for Ideas
- Create dedicated space for creative thinking, even if it means staring at a wall.
- Avoid filling this time with other tasks; allow ideas to emerge organically.
Protect Your Process
- Protect your creative process by prioritizing safe spaces for iteration.
- Focus on building strong audience connections above monetary success.
Finding Clarity
- After facing setbacks and self-doubt, Shyamalan found clarity while doing a puzzle with his daughter.
- This led him to focus on small, incremental improvements, ultimately leading to the success of The Visit.