#95: Following Your Curiosity With Brian Koppelman
Jan 3, 2015
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Brian Koppelman, a music executive, screenwriter, and podcast host, shares his unique career journey filled with twists and turns. He emphasizes the importance of following curiosity over rigid career paths, providing personal anecdotes of seizing new opportunities. The conversation delves into handling rejection in creative fields, the balance between ambition and personal responsibilities, and nurturing creativity in parenting. Koppelman also reflects on masculinity and growth through storytelling, offering valuable insights on embracing a nonlinear life.
Brian Koppelman emphasizes the non-linear nature of career paths, advocating for following curiosity over rigid career plans to foster growth.
He highlights the psychological impact of rejection in creative fields, urging individuals to differentiate between rejection and constructive criticism for resilience.
The podcast explores the evolving understanding of masculinity through storytelling, suggesting that vulnerability and compassion are essential traits of true strength.
Deep dives
The Journey of Career Exploration
It's emphasized that career paths are rarely linear and that individuals should embrace the journey of exploration rather than feeling pressured to have everything figured out early on. The guest shares his experience of moving from the music industry to screenwriting and podcasting, highlighting the importance of remaining open to new opportunities. He recounts advice from a college professor, encouraging students to follow their curiosity without fear of switching directions multiple times before reaching their thirties. This mindset fosters growth and adaptability, suggesting that a diverse background can lead to unexpected and fulfilling career outcomes.
Handling Rejection and Perseverance
The discussion delves into the psychological aspects of dealing with rejection, especially in a creative field where rejection is ubiquitous. The importance of distinguishing between rejection and constructive criticism is underscored, as is the need to process both dispassionately before moving forward. The guest shares personal anecdotes of his screenplay 'Rounders' being rejected by numerous agencies, which ultimately found success after being picked up by Miramax. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that setbacks are commonplace but can be overcome with resilience and commitment to one's passion.
Cultivating Creative Practices
A structured approach to fostering creativity is presented, detailing a daily writing routine that includes meditation and morning pages, which help unlock creative potential. The guest elaborates on how these practices contribute to a productive writing environment, providing a buffer against self-doubt and insecurity. This method reinforces the idea that showing up consistently is crucial for any creative endeavor, rather than waiting for inspiration to strike. By normalizing the act of writing through regular practice, creativity becomes a more accessible and dependable process.
Insights on Masculinity Through Filmmaking
The conversation touches upon the exploration of masculinity through the lens of film, with the guest acknowledging how his work attempts to capture both heroic and flawed aspects of being a man. He highlights the importance of self-sacrifice and compassion as defining traits of true bravery, citing real-life stories of individuals, such as a Medal of Honor recipient, who embody these values. This approach challenges traditional notions of masculinity, advocating for an understanding that strength can coexist with vulnerability and care for others. The guest suggests that film can be a powerful medium for examining and redefining what it means to be a man in today’s society.
The Power of Storytelling
The significance of storytelling as a communication tool is examined, emphasizing that everyone can benefit from the ability to tell compelling stories. The guest explains that being comfortable in one's own skin enhances storytelling prowess, making it relatable and engaging. He argues that understanding one’s authentic self is key to connecting with others through narrative, allowing for deeper engagement in both personal and professional settings. This perspective reinforces the notion that mastering storytelling has broader applications beyond traditional storytelling roles, highlighting its relevance in everyday life and interactions.
Brian Koppelman is a man of many hats- music executive, screenwriter, and now podcast host. I talk with Brian about career trajectories in the modern economy and how having a set career path at the beginning of your career just doesn't work very well. Instead of having a rigid plan, Brian argues that we should instead tenaciously follow our curiosity while developing skills that will open up new doors. Brian gives concrete examples from his own career of following his curiosity. We also discuss the importance of hard work, learning to deal with failure and rejections, and what Brian has learned about men from writing films.
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