BIG IDEAS: -If you don't know it's impossible, it's harder to fail -Climb the mountain, be ruthless in protecting your path to get there -Making your art is sending messages in a bottle. Maybe 1/1000 will ever be found. -If you keep sending out bottles, more will be found. -You know it's YOUR art when it feels as if you're walking naked down the street. (exposed.... because you're butt naked) -PROBLEMS WITH SUCCESS: -learning to say "no" when more and more of your bottles get found. -Dealing with "Imposture Syndrome" or the fear of getting found out. -Keeping the original climb alive even when you're successful. -You get freelance work however you get it, but you KEEP getting work because your work is good. -Best piece of advice ever received (but didn't follow)? "Enjoy the ride" Epic talk, Neil. Thanks for sharing - very inspiring. -Clark
@@mhnicholson His advice for getting the first job is to be aware that whatever worked in the past to get the first job probably won't work now. There's a saying in the comics industry that every time someone new breaks into the comics industry and gets some work published, the whole comics industry takes note of how they did it, and immediately changes the rules so that nobody can ever break in that way again.
I was there a year ago, having gone to see my sister graduate. I had just come from my own incredibly dull graduation, and I was prepared to settle in and zone out for a couple of hours. Then this man started talking, and I suddenly found myself holding on to every word. I'm not even an artist, and yet this speech found its way into soul. I think at its core, this speech is just about finding what you want to do, doing it, and doing it well.
I needed to hear this. As a blacksmith I haven't gone out to my forge in a long time. I think today I'm going to go out and just make whatever I want. Thank you.
I couldnt have received this message at a better time! Filled with dread, 43 and today about to change roads, I listening and finally realised that it's been about the baggage of others I have been carrying for them along the way... I have decided to carry on to the mountain without the dead weight! My dreams are still my own! Thank you! see y'all at the top!,
Jaya Lakshmi I just do contemporary stuff. Most of my writing and the subjects I'm interested in tend to be pretty dark, but that's because I use it as my outlet to deal with my anxiety and emotional things I go through. It's pretty much all I know how to do (the only thing I want to do). It's enjoyable but also therapeutic. I'm not that good, but I'm always trying to improve and learn new things every day. Unfortunately, I don't have a big enough imagination to write fantasy or sci-fi! I think they're probably the hardest genre's to write in. I'm slowly getting into more sci-fi books, though.
stolenbaby2008 Do you want to become writing buddies then? I'm also trying to improve my the day, and dark tastes are appealing to me since I 'm trying to write through a dark time at the moment.
One of the greatest speeches on why the world needs more art, more artists and so I made it my mission to share my art even though I never became a paid artist.
Abz I’m one of them. And the fact that I’m watching this video again now tells you everything you need to know about how incredibly impactful this was.
@@redhat4363 No they don't. Take a look at our list of alumni. They are musicians, actors, illustrators, designers. We are everywhere entertaining you and making your world more beautiful.
@@redhat4363 I was one of these graduates-I'm a creative director at a global agency and have steadily worked in marketing since this ceremony. My fellow alums are touring musicians, strategists, TV producers, teachers, small business owners, in-demand illustrators, award-winning authors...the list goes on. In short: miss me with that bullshit.
I love how he says something awesome, doesnt realise how awesome it actually is and then gets surprised by the applause that follows! Such a genuinely creative and passionate artist!
1.) When starting out you don't know what you're doing, which is good 2.) If you have an idea of what you want to make, what you were put here to do, then go and do that 3.) You have to deal with the problems of failure, you need thick skin, to learn that every project will survive 4.) I hope you're making mistakes, it means your doing something. And when times are tough, when any of the numerous ways life can go wrong do go wrong, make good art. 5.) Make your art. The urge starting out is to copy, which isn't a bad thing, most of us only find our own voices after we've sounded like a lot of people, but what you have that no one else has is you. 6.) People get hired because somehow they get hired. You get work however you get work. But people keep working in freelance work because their work is good, they're easy to get along with, and because they deliver the work on time. And you don't need all 3, 2 out of 3 is fine. People will tolerate how unpleasant you are if your work is good and you deliver it on time, people will forgive the lateness of your work if it's good and they like you and you don't have to be as good as everyone else if you're on time and it's always a pleasure to hear from you. And lastly, make good art :)
It has to be bad, if not you're limiting yourself. Keep at it, and it will become good, then great. The only difference between the famous and great artist and the mediocre one is one of them kept at it and NEVER gave up.
I love Neil Gaiman. This speech is so fucking inspirational. It's the best advice for artists. The speech is also in a non-fiction collection of essays by him called The View from the Cheap Seats, which I highly reccomend if you haven't read it. He talks about various authors, genres, novels, comics, graphic novels, musicians, albums and more.
“She wanted to do something she thought would be difficult. She wanted to record an audio book. I suggested she pretend to be someone who could do it. Not pretend to do it, but pretend she was someone who could. She said she put a notice to this effect on the studio wall, and she said it helped So be wise because the world needs more wisdom And if you cannot be wise, then pretend to be someone who is wise and then just behave like they would.”
Neil Gaiman is the Man! His novels hold a special place in my heart and on my bookshelves. He is one of the great Novelists of our day, and as Stephen King once said "We are lucky to have him." His spectrum of novels ranges from the great graphic novel series "The Sandman" to the wonderful children's book "The Graveyard Book" to one of my all time favorite novels "American Gods" which everyone should read as far as I am concerned. Keep up the great work Mr. Gaiman.
Tx for all comments. I am unfortunately estranged from my sister but it was she who sent me Good Omens and of course I keep up with the Neil Gaman canon of fiction. I consider this an important speech and it cheers me up immensely.
Kit The Red Rabbit was here. I went to art school to study (3d, animations..etc) things i did not know. I accepted failures from the beginning. But curiosity drove me, I did not know what to do and BUT i want to be able to create more things to have some sort..multiple expressions outputs. and JUST creating art made me happy..dayjob to pay bills but happy. Did not know this personal project that would change my life come back as a bottle.. Thank you Neil Gaiman. this video speaks to me now.
One of the best commencement speeches I've ever heard, and just as appropriate for entrepreneurs as it is for artists (I think the best of each are actually very similar).
Don't bring that joker into the game Keshaw - we have seen the results of religion and man Ali G was more on the trail. He got it more concise - nicht wahr?
My daughter Mia is 11 years old. She's an artist and my complete opposite. I strive hard to get on her level. She inspires me to see. I pray she follows her dreams of writing, drawing, painting, being creative and never allow this world to suppress her, even me her mother on those moments I stand there confused, bc I can't relate. It's not about me, this world or her own mind, it's only about who she is and that's an artist.
I'm part of the covid graduate batch. We never got a speech from our cum laude, dean, or any guests. Or maybe we did, but I missed it. It's been 1 and a half year of seeking jobs, failing and creating paintings and I still listen to this speech as motivation.
When you start out, you dont know what you're doing. This js good. People who know what they're doing know the rules and they know what is possible, and what is impossible-you do not. And you SHOULD not. The rules on what is possible and impossible in the arts were made by people who had not tested the bounds of the possible by going beyond them. And you can. If you dont know its impossible, its easier to do. And because nobody's done it before they havent made up rules to stop anyone doing that particular thing again. -Neil Gaiman
Great speech. Lots of wisdom in his words. And he speaks in a light hearted, relaxed and comical manner about some of the most important bits of wisdom any of us hope to learn... Really enjoyed it :)
Being a young writer, myself, I am utterly inspired by this speech. Neil Gaiman is one of my favourite peoples, and I hope to one day read one of his works. Sometimes I just think that I do not wish to write, this is just work, & it will do me no good in the future, near & far. When I found one of Neil Gaiman's quotes on google images, I smiled, & I knew this man is an extraordinary man with a passion the same as what I had. Unusual as the sounds, it made me happy. To the point where I found this video. I watch this every day before I write. It inspires me so much, that I started writing again after 3 months of no progress. My personal goal for my writing passion, is to see somebody smile and/ir cry while readin my work. One of the only other things I wish for, is for somebody to forget that they are reading, & just had a movie in their head. Everything in life is either a love, a lie, or a lesson. & sometimes, you just have to find the difference. -Lily G
I thumbs upped your comment because I don't like that people thumbed it down when it was a serious issue. This is an issue MANY artists face, even some of the great artists in history. Finding a group of peers whom you trust to honestly evaluate your work is difficult, stressful and important. If EVERYONE says it sucks, then maybe it does, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it for yourself. You might be better or worse than you think you are. You have to put yourself out there to find out.
This is a great commencement speech. Make good "______" (fill in the blank). Art can be good public policy, finance or customer service. "Copying other people is not a bad thing, most of us find our voice after we sound like a lot other people"... These are words that translate into any industry. Fantastic
Loved that Neil, so many nuggets to reflect on. Enjoy it, had me tearing up. I get so tied up in the pressure that I’ve lost my way in this regard. So much to be grateful for but so ignorant of it. Got me thinking.
This really inspires me.Even though im gonna be 14 on April 17 and im young.Im worried for my future and now I found it because of this speech.Hatred,humiliation,lost/dont know where to go or do,and keep trying.I keep questioning myself on what will I be on the bext generation?now I found it.I am gonna be an artist that draws fan arts,anime and others stuff that makes people happy.This speach has filled me with determination and hopes for my dreams to be an artist.You have to go through pain to reach your dreams and make "Good Art" You cant go forward if you keep avoiding danger.You have to risk something to get to the top and I realized the people says you cant be the best without help and risking something valuable or precious to your life. P.S.-Im using my mom's account im aboy anyways.
Well, if your mom sees this hopefully she'll share it with you. When I was 10 years old I became inspired to become a writer. At your age (14) I gave up that dream. In the midst of a writer's block, some well-meaning adults convinced me that it's hard to make a living as an artist, and told me I should try accounting instead since I am good with numbers. So I tried that, and studied it in college, but it wasn't my purpose in life to be an accountant. So I tried a career in Broadcast Video with some success because that's what I have the most work experience in. I like it, but I don't LOVE it... so although I could pay bills at the end of the month and not hate my job at the end of the day, I completely lacked PASSION for my work and my life. It's only now that I'm 26 and fed up with not doing what I am truly MEANT to do with my life that I have decided once and for all that I WILL be a WRITER! It has helped immensely that the recent influences in my life have urged me to only be what I really want to be, but what they have really done is led me to influence myself. On one hand, I regret that I've spent the last 12 years doing everything but my deepest desire, but on the other hand I will go through life NEVER wanting to return to that mediocrity again! Since I cannot see into the future, I cannot tell you with accuracy the degree of success I will have as a storyteller. But since I love this art form with all of my heart, no failure can discourage me, no obstacle can daunt me, and no enemy can stop me... and because of that I have faith that I will succeed. I believe it both emotionally and logically. Moral of the story: Find something you like doing so much that it becomes an obsession for you. Something that you can't wait to get out of bed in the morning to do. Something that you want to devote your free time to becoming better at. Something that, if you fail, or you don't get paid what you'd hoped for your efforts, that at least YOU will be proud of yourself and satisfied with the fruits of your labor. I am sure someone older and more experienced may have something more profound to share with you, but this advice is the accumulation of lessons learned from mistakes made over 12 years (the gap from your age to mine), and is the very best I can offer you from it.
i should have seen this years ago,an exceptionally inspiring speech and i believe an honest one. I believe that this is the truth about making art good or bad. Both are yours and you should be proud of it. Thank you @Lennie Alzate for uploading this.
When he says “...and often they commissioned me to write something else for them. Which has left me with a healthy respect for higher education.” I love this speech but have never understood that. Not sure if it’s just simple and has passed me by. Anyone?
I'm not entirely certain, but I think he is referencing that "them", being the editors and whatnot, hold respectively high educations, and that he has developed a great respect for them, because they were the people who recognised his talent and eventually ended up paying him for his writing.
Thanks for this speech...I am inspired! I always take pictures and make them my back ground because its my dream to make arts its my dream to impress people and its my dream to improve myself always.I always dont get respect on my arts until now,but on me I really appreciate it...I feel very proud that god gave me this tremendous talent to find a job for myself to fulfil my dreams.I alwahs wish that I can draw anime,comics and manga art style because I always get inspired when I see someone whos god artist level and Im on noob level...I always make my best and I will always make the best be the better of best.First time no one really appreciated my artstyle when its my first time...when a few months passed my drawings continued to become more beautiful and not being on a boring job,this really inspired me.When I feel that Im in a adventure while drawing my art is good and I make good art,The wiser you are the luckier you be and that is true,because the inspiration on other people always gets me to draw.My inspiration quote in this speech is "Make Good Art" I always read that for inspiration because of this speech.But I do not want to be like someone and Im like a copy cat,I want to be someone with an original value and respect,I want to be someone like making art and an original identity.making mistakes really is useful because you learn from them whether its bad or worse you will realize that youve done something wrong but you learned what will happen after that.Once again I really am inspired by drawing because of this guy! Because I didnt know it wasnt impossible for someone like me to become an original and great man in the future.I just realized that god gave me more talents that I have when I was a kid,I am a fast runner but I dont join the atlethes I can use my speed for what ever I want is a waste right?,I realized if I can use my talents to become a great man then I will do it!,even my chance is low to cross the bridge un-injured even Im a snowball in hell to cross the entire world to be successfull even I am not respected and not appreciated I will always make myself the best of the best!
I never post but first time for everything...Tim Ferris also brought me here. "The old rules are breaking down, nobody knows what to do...so make your own rules." and also "the gatekeepers are leaving their gates". But glad Tim dropped his name. I am surprised I knew so little of him. This will change now.
