I mean, I love L.A. - I love living here. But I wish that we

Host: The late afternoon light cast a warm, golden hue across the table where Jack and Jeeny sat. The bustling city outside hummed with its usual rhythm, but inside the café, it felt as though time had slowed, allowing their conversation to stretch out, uninterrupted. The air was thick with the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the soft murmur of quiet conversation. Jack leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning the room, while Jeeny, deep in thought, stirred her tea absentmindedly.

Finally, she broke the silence, her voice soft but purposeful.

Jeeny: “I read something today by Kristen Stewart. She said, ‘I mean, I love L.A. – I love living here. But I wish that we could make things without the need to hit a home run every single time. It’s a unique thing to Hollywood that if you don’t do that every time, then you’re considered a failure. But it’s like, “Well, are you making movies to be successful? Or are you making movies to learn something?”’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: He raised an eyebrow, his expression thoughtful but skeptical. “Hollywood, huh? Yeah, that’s definitely a unique beast. The idea that everything’s gotta be a blockbuster, a home run, or you’re labeled a failure—it’s part of the system. But at the same time, it’s hard to ignore that success is the currency in a place like L.A. If you’re not chasing success, you risk being left behind, right?”

Host: The whir of the coffee machine in the background was a subtle reminder of the ever-present drive that permeated the city outside. Jeeny’s gaze remained steady, her voice calm but insistent as she responded.

Jeeny: “But maybe that’s the problem, Jack. We’re so obsessed with success that we forget what it means to create for the sake of creation. Hollywood’s obsession with hits, with the big win, overshadows the learning process. It’s not always about making the next big thing—it’s about exploring, growing, and pushing boundaries. When did art become so dependent on success?”

Jack: He sighed, his fingers tapping against the table as he considered her words. “I get it. Art isn’t about always hitting it out of the park. But let’s be real—if you’re in the industry, if you’re making movies, you’re still part of that machine. People expect results. If you’re not producing, if you’re not delivering the next big thing, you don’t get another shot.”

Host: The evening light had deepened, casting shadows across their faces as their conversation grew more intense, the words bouncing between them like waves crashing against a shore. Jeeny’s voice remained steady, though there was a quiet fervor in it now.

Jeeny: “But that’s just it, Jack. We’ve forgotten that creating something, whether it’s a movie, a piece of art, or even just a moment, is a process. The value isn’t just in the result, but in the journey. Kristen Stewart’s right—if you’re constantly chasing success, if you’re only measuring your worth by the outcome, you miss the point of learning and growing. It’s not about the home run—it’s about the experience.”

Jack: “And what happens when you make something and it doesn’t land? When you put your heart into something and it doesn’t hit the mark? Can you just be okay with that? Can you still look at that project and say, ‘I learned something’?”

Host: The rain had begun again, falling in soft sheets against the windows, adding a quiet soundtrack to the intensity of their conversation. Jeeny’s eyes softened, and her voice grew gentler, almost like she was speaking from a place of understanding.

Jeeny: “Yes, Jack. That’s the point. It’s not about whether it’s perfect, or whether the world acknowledges it. It’s about what you take away from it. Every movie, every project—whether it’s successful or not—is an opportunity to learn. The process, the growth, that’s where the magic happens. And if we’re always chasing the next big thing, we miss out on the value of trying.”

Jack: He paused, clearly reflecting on her words. His usual cynicism had softened, just slightly, but enough for the idea to sink in. “So, you’re saying that the failure of something isn’t the end? It’s just part of the process?”

Jeeny: “Exactly. Failure isn’t an end—it’s part of the growth. It’s how you move forward. If we only create for the fear of failure, then we’re missing the entire point of being creative. Art isn’t about being perfect—it’s about the journey, the mistakes, the learning. And yeah, sometimes it’s going to be messy. But that’s where the true learning happens.”

Host: The rain had softened again, and the atmosphere between Jack and Jeeny had shifted, like the clouds parting to let in a new light. Jack sat a little straighter, the usual weight of his thoughts perhaps lifting just a bit. The conversation had opened something inside him, a quiet realization about the way success and failure shaped his own view of creativity and the world around him.

Jack: “Maybe I’ve been too focused on the outcome. On making things work right away, on making everything a success. But maybe there’s something to be said for the process—whether it succeeds or not.”

Jeeny: She smiled, the softness in her eyes showing a quiet triumph. “That’s it. The process is where you find yourself. It’s where you grow, and where you learn what works and what doesn’t. The world can keep chasing success, but the true value lies in what you create along the way.”

Host: The café seemed to settle around them, the conversation unfolding into something gentler, quieter. The city outside, still alive with movement, faded into the background. Inside, Jack and Jeeny shared a moment of understanding—that the value of creation wasn’t always about hitting the mark. It was about the journey, the mistakes, and the growth that came with every effort, every attempt. And as the rain outside softened, the room felt warmer, the weight of the conversation lightened by the possibility of seeing creativity in a new light.