The more you learn, the more you realize you don't know...

Jon Starr

Jon Starr

Veteran
I've been studying film for a while now... making films, writing, learning on my own, learning through school, learning on set, learning through others on these boards and elsewhere. Not to say I'm great or anything, but I've come to a realization: the more you learn, the more you realize you don't know.

I see this with a lot of people. I see people starting and they think it's all lollipops and dandylions. Then as time goes, they realized they have to work to come out with something even decent. The more I've grown, the more room for growth I notice there is... and I look at the masters and even fellow filmmakers around me with awe, wondering 'how did they do that?'

Just felt like posting that... dunno why...
 
I completely agree with that. I was just having a discussion with a buddy of mine yesterday about this.

Kegan
 
That is what's great about it. I'd hate to have it any other way.

Becoming better and learning is what gets me out of bed everyday. As long as my self expectations are always a step beyond my abilities, I will grow and learn from everything I do.
 
Sure, who knows everything...I suspect none.. It happens the same to me everytime I share my little knowledge and help doing something I come back with way more that I went there with. You learn with every step you take, be it backwards or forward. And the most important thing, I love learning new things, and I think that that's the way it should be, someone that dosn't like learning, even if they know a lot, their kwnoledge will get old soon.


Learning, the way to go!
 
I think I remember Scorsese saying how he still feels like a beginner, a student, because he's still trying things out, experimenting, learning.

And I consider him to be a Master.
 
An adult is a person who learns from their mistakes.

A professional is a person who learns from the mistakes of others.

The mark of a true professional is knowing that there is always something more to learn.




A craftsman knows how to avoid mistakes

An artist know how to use them.
 
milksac said:
So, you're aging and the truth about life has set in. Life was simpler when you were 18 and knew all there was to know.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't put it like that. I mean I never thought I knew everything I needed to know at 18, and I don't think it has to do with aging.

I think it has to do with growing as a filmmaker.

unclebob6958 said:
An adult is a person who learns from their mistakes.

A professional is a person who learns from the mistakes of others.

The mark of a true professional is knowing that there is always something more to learn.
Click to expand...

Very well put. I've always gone in with the mindset that 'no matter what you always need to grow', but I never knew how or where or what. Now, after a long time, that path is a lot clearer.
 
I feel that with all the technical changes its like trying to collect sand in your hands at the beach. It keeps slipping out as you add onto it. Whoever has the biggest hands is the better filmmaker.
 
Jon Starr said:
...I never thought I knew everything I needed to know at 18....
Click to expand...

“When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.” - Mark Twain
 
"You learn 80% of your craft in the first week.
The remaining 20% takes your entire career"

Told to me by a director many years ago. Words I live by.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top