I'd applied to graduate school for playwriting, and I got rejected by every school. I felt that theatre was closed but that, when it came to film, the door was very slightly ajar. If I have any virtues, it's that I'm good at walking through doors that are slightly ajar.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes resilience and seizing opportunities, even when faced with rejection.
Greta Gerwig reflects on her experiences of rejection as she pursued her dreams in playwriting. Despite being turned away by graduate schools, she found an opening in the field of film, which symbolized hope and potential. Her ability to recognize and act on such slight opportunities highlights the importance of perseverance and adaptability in the face of adversity, suggesting that sometimes success comes from exploring alternatives rather than giving up.
In practice
In a motivational speech about overcoming obstacles in creative fields.
I love movies, but sometimes I think it's better for actresses not to be total cinephiles. You have to be able to do the work at some point; you can't be totally starstruck. 'I can't believe it's Woody Allen!' You have to get past that.
Acting was always the first love, but a lot of people want to be actors, and my goal was, 'Come hell or high water, I will be a part of this world, however I can.' So that just led me to throwing myself into every aspect of narrative storytelling I could.
For Mike Mills, I learned that having dance parties and crying with your cast does not make you a weak director, it makes you a strong director.
Always remember, there is more strength in you than you ever realized or even imagined. Certainly nothing can keep you down if you are determined to get on top of things and stay there.
Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.
Women are working for part or all of their adult lives now. The possibilities are limitless, but you need to prepare.
To persevere, I think, is important for everybody. Don't give up, don't give in. There's always an answer to everything.
I wanted to be a shoe designer, but I never thought it could be a profession. But what was the alternative? Doctor? Too dirty! Air-hostess? Maybe not! Then someone gave me a book on Roger Vivier, and, cheri, instantly I knew that was it!
The best advice I could give anyone is to spend your time working on whatever you are passionate about in life.
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