355 3.7 G.school #164 Matthew 7:21 [?][!]

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SETH GODIN Movies, books and paintings

No important movie has ever been a solo project.

While we can see a director’s point of view from movie to movie, the collaborative nature of the work is evident. Actors, cinematographers and musicians all change what we see. And because of the huge amount of time and money involved, compromise (and the resistance to compromise) are a dominant force as well.

A book might be a solo act, but it’s often influenced by a great editor. Few of these professionals get the credit they deserve (and sometimes they’re called agents or spouses.)

And with rare exceptions, paintings are done by just one person.

Great directors are also great project managers. And broken-hearted screenwriters often began with a misunderstanding of what they were getting into.

When we set out to create, it helps to understand who our collaborators are and to choose them wisely. A well-trained AI, an insightful editor, an A&R person running interference–these are choices.

Understand the medium and your resources before you begin.

August 3, 2025