Robert Rodriguez On The Real Reason Why You're Stuck

Writing and directing are not easy; if they were, everyone would do it. There are lots of times you will get stuck, and you will feel like you're going crazy. But never fear, this is stuff that happens to everyone. Even famous and successful directors like Robert Rodriguez. Today, I want to take you through some of Rodriguez's advice for filmmakers. Let's dive in. Robert Rodriguez Helps Free Your Work One of the things I'm trying to get better at in my career is the idea that beliefs should not take you out of the game. Or as Rodriguez puts it, the false beliefs you have that throw up roadblocks. Idea like you don't have the right gear or enough access to resources, so you just don't even try to do something. It gets pointed out that with modern tech and iPhones, you have a movie studio in your pocket. The excuse of "no time" also gets a reality check; it's often less about the clock and more about what we prioritize in our lives. Take the weekend and do your heart's work. One of the most compelling takeaways is the reframing of "doubt." Instead of letting it paralyze us, we should be embracing the unknown and having confidence in the creative process itself. After all, our biggest successes often come from the ashes of failure, effectively defanging the fear of it. These kinds of pep talks are important because so many filmmakers flame out because they get in their own way. It could just be a history of not being encouraged or a string of bad luck that gets you down. But all of that BS doesn't have to dictate our future. We have the power to overwrite it. Even if doubt about the final outcome lingers, it shouldn't stop us from starting and experimenting.There's a light at the end of the tunnel. The beauty of creative pursuits, much like life, often lies in the unexpected. Plans are great starting points, but the real magic can happen when things go "wrong". See, that's the opportunity to learn. And I know that sounds glib, but it really is the accumulation of lessons that will keep us going. Ultimately, the filmmaking process serves as a potent metaphor for life: make a plan, take the leap, watch it inevitably encounter turbulence, and then, most importantly, creatively navigate your way to a solution.We all get stuck, but it's often we who are putting up the barriers. So kick down your own walls and keep going. Summing It All Up I thought this was a poignant conversation about getting out of your own way. The blockades we see are often things we have invented and not things that exist in the real world. All you can do is keep making things and keep moving forward. Let me know what you think in the comments.

May 23, 2025 - 23:55

Robert Rodriguez On The Real Reason Why You're Stuck

Writing and directing are not easy; if they were, everyone would do it. There are lots of times you will get stuck, and you will feel like you're going crazy.

But never fear, this is stuff that happens to everyone. Even famous and successful directors like Robert Rodriguez.

Today, I want to take you through some of Rodriguez's advice for filmmakers.

Let's dive in.

Robert Rodriguez Helps Free Your Work

One of the things I'm trying to get better at in my career is the idea that beliefs should not take you out of the game.

Or as Rodriguez puts it, the false beliefs you have that throw up roadblocks. Idea like you don't have the right gear or enough access to resources, so you just don't even try to do something.

It gets pointed out that with modern tech and iPhones, you have a movie studio in your pocket.

The excuse of "no time" also gets a reality check; it's often less about the clock and more about what we prioritize in our lives.

Take the weekend and do your heart's work.

One of the most compelling takeaways is the reframing of "doubt." Instead of letting it paralyze us, we should be embracing the unknown and having confidence in the creative process itself. After all, our biggest successes often come from the ashes of failure, effectively defanging the fear of it.

These kinds of pep talks are important because so many filmmakers flame out because they get in their own way. It could just be a history of not being encouraged or a string of bad luck that gets you down.

But all of that BS doesn't have to dictate our future. We have the power to overwrite it. Even if doubt about the final outcome lingers, it shouldn't stop us from starting and experimenting.

There's a light at the end of the tunnel.

The beauty of creative pursuits, much like life, often lies in the unexpected. Plans are great starting points, but the real magic can happen when things go "wrong".

See, that's the opportunity to learn. And I know that sounds glib, but it really is the accumulation of lessons that will keep us going.

Ultimately, the filmmaking process serves as a potent metaphor for life: make a plan, take the leap, watch it inevitably encounter turbulence, and then, most importantly, creatively navigate your way to a solution.

We all get stuck, but it's often we who are putting up the barriers.

So kick down your own walls and keep going.

Summing It All Up

I thought this was a poignant conversation about getting out of your own way. The blockades we see are often things we have invented and not things that exist in the real world.

All you can do is keep making things and keep moving forward.

Let me know what you think in the comments.