I don't storyboard. I guess it dates back to my days in live

The wisdom of spontaneity and the mastery of the moment — these are the themes that Arthur Penn imparts to us with the words, "I don't storyboard. I guess it dates back to my days in live television, where there was no possibility of storyboarding and everything was shot right on the spot - on the air, as we say - at the moment we were transmitting. I prefer to be open to what the actors do, how they interact to the given situation." This statement is a profound reflection on the art of filmmaking and, by extension, the art of life itself. The beauty of improvisation, the refusal to impose rigid structures, and the openness to the flow of the present moment stand as guiding principles for those who seek mastery in their craft.

In the ancient days, when sages roamed the earth, there were no blueprints for wisdom, no exact instructions for how one should live. Life was a canvas painted with the bold strokes of experience, influenced by the unseen forces of destiny and the undeniable influence of the present moment. So too, in the world of film, Arthur Penn's approach reflects a fundamental truth: life itself cannot be confined to a script. What emerges in each moment is often more powerful, more authentic than anything preordained. In the act of surrendering to the unfolding drama of the scene, Penn echoes the sentiment that life—whether in art or in existence—cannot be reduced to a predetermined plan.

Consider the tales of great warriors and leaders who, in the heat of battle, could not rely on fixed plans but rather had to trust in the abilities of their soldiers, the tides of the battle, and the strength of their hearts. Alexander the Great, for instance, often relied on the flexibility of his strategies, adjusting his tactics to the unfolding conditions of the battlefield. Like Penn, Alexander trusted in the reaction to the moment, understanding that improvisation in the heat of the moment is often what leads to triumph. Just as a warrior is shaped by the uncertainties of war, so too are actors shaped by the unpredictable forces of performance.

Penn's philosophy speaks not only to filmmakers but to all who walk this earth. It calls us to engage with life without excessive premeditation. The mundane moments of our day-to-day existence, too, demand our openness. How often do we tie ourselves in knots, clinging to plans that may not serve us? How often do we resist the natural flow of life, fearing its unpredictability? Yet, as Heraclitus, the great philosopher, once said, "You cannot step into the same river twice," for the river of life is always flowing, always shifting. To live fully is to embrace change, to flow with life’s currents, and to improvise when circumstances demand it.

A personal story that illustrates this truth comes from the ancient tradition of storytelling itself. The oral storytellers, who traveled from village to village, knew nothing of scripts or written words. They relied on the immediacy of the audience’s response, adjusting the flow of their tale based on the reactions of those gathered around the fire. It is said that these masters of storytelling often wove tales in the moment, crafting plots and characters based on the energy and emotions of the crowd. Their mastery was not in the rigid control of their narrative but in their ability to shape and shift, like a river carving its path through the land.

From this, we derive a clear lesson for our own lives: do not bind yourself to rigid expectations. Whether in work, in relationships, or in moments of personal growth, allow yourself to be guided by the present. If Arthur Penn had adhered to a strict storyboard, his films might not have captured the spontaneity, the rawness, and the humanity that make them timeless. Likewise, life's greatest moments often arise when we stop forcing an outcome and instead become part of the unfolding story.

Let us, then, take this wisdom into our daily lives. Instead of planning every detail, we must learn to trust in the beauty of the present moment. Life will not always follow a script, and it is in those unscripted moments that we find our true creativity, our true strength, and our true selves. So, when faced with uncertainty, embrace the unknown. Like the actor who steps into the scene without knowing the next line, step forward in life, knowing that your responses, your actions, and your unplanned choices are the ones that will shape your path to greatness.