In this engaging discussion, Brian Koppelman, a renowned writer and director known for his work on Billions, shares invaluable lessons from law school about the importance of connections and self-awareness. He emphasizes the razor-thin line between artistry and delusion while advocating for diligent screenwriting practices, like reading extensively. Koppelman also talks about overcoming creative blocks through trust in partnerships, the impact of daily discipline, and the balance required for successful collaborations in storytelling.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Law School's Unexpected Benefits
Brian Koppelman never practiced law despite attending Fordham Law.
His legal education provided valuable life lessons, writing skills, and connections, exemplified by the character in Rounders.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Thriving in Non-Essential Courses
Reduce grade pressure in non-essential courses by focusing on learning rather than competition.
Build genuine connections with classmates; their notes and insights can be invaluable.
insights INSIGHT
Undeniable Work Gets Noticed
Truly great, undeniable work transcends the noise of the media landscape.
Focus on creating something undeniably great, and it will eventually get noticed.
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This book presents a comprehensive method for artists to recover their creativity from various blocks such as limiting beliefs, fear, self-sabotage, and other inhibiting forces. It is designed to help individuals discover and develop their artistic potential, whether as writers, painters, poets, or musicians. The book emphasizes the connection between creativity and spirituality, providing step-by-step exercises to nurture creative expression as a consistent part of daily life.
Awaken the Giant Within
Tony Robbins
In 'Awaken the Giant Within,' Tony Robbins offers a comprehensive program for self-mastery, helping readers to discover their true purpose, take control of their lives, and harness the forces that shape their destiny. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding and changing one's belief system, values, and daily habits. It introduces concepts such as Neuro Associative Conditioning (NAC) and the three decisions that control one's destiny: what to focus on, what things mean, and what actions to take. Robbins provides step-by-step exercises and a seven-day challenge to reshape various aspects of life, including emotional, physical, relationship, and financial destinies. The book stresses that everything we do is driven by the need to avoid pain or gain pleasure and teaches how to use these forces to achieve personal goals and transform one's life.
The Dip
A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)
Seth Godin
In 'The Dip,' Seth Godin challenges traditional views on persistence and quitting. He introduces the concept of 'The Dip,' a challenging phase between starting and mastering a skill, which is necessary for growth and mastery. Godin distinguishes 'The Dip' from 'The Cul-de-Sac' (a dead-end situation) and 'The Cliff' (a risky situation), advising readers to quit the latter two but push through 'The Dip' to achieve significant rewards. The book provides practical advice on recognizing when to quit and when to stick with a project, job, or relationship, emphasizing that strategic quitting can lead to extraordinary success.
Brian Koppelman (@BrianKoppelman) is a writer, filmmaker, producer, and director. He's currently the showrunner, co-creator, and executive producer of Billions on Showtime and the host of The Moment podcast.
What We Discuss with Brian Koppelman:
Law school is an expensive (but not completely useless) place to learn life lessons.
How do you know when you've done work of "undeniable" quality -- in the absolute sense?
The line between being an artist and being delusional is very thin.
If you want to be a screenwriter, read a thousand screenplays.
We focus so much on the hustle that sometimes we forget to focus on the work.
The Jordan Harbinger Show 
