Some very famous directors have started in the mail room, which

Host: The room feels reflective, with the soft light of evening casting a warm glow across the space. Outside, the world continues its usual rhythm, but inside, there’s a sense of quiet contemplation, as though the conversation is about to touch on the value of starting small and working through the process of growth. Jeeny sits at the table, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her cup, her expression thoughtful. Jack stands near the window, arms crossed, looking out at the street below.

Jeeny: (her voice gentle, yet filled with curiosity) “You ever think about how everyone starts somewhere? How even the most successful people often begin at the bottom, learning the ropes before they rise to the top?”

Jack: (glancing over at her, his voice dry, but intrigued) “Starting from the bottom? Yeah, it’s funny how so many successful people have a humble beginning. It’s almost like you have to go through the routine, the grind, before you can get to the place where you can create something meaningful. What made you think about it?”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, a small smile forming as she shares her thought) “I was thinking about something Kenneth Anger said: ‘Some very famous directors have started in the mail room, which is just getting inside the studio, getting to know people, getting to know the routine.’ It made me reflect on how success isn’t just about talent or opportunity—it’s about learning, understanding, and building relationships from the ground up.”

Jack: (pauses, considering her words carefully) “So, he’s saying that even the most famous directors started in the smallest, most menial positions—like the mail room? That getting inside the industry, understanding the routine, and building relationships is just as important as talent or vision?”

Jeeny: (smiling more deeply now, her eyes steady as she explains further) “Exactly. Anger’s point is that success often comes from the process, not just the destination. Many directors, or anyone in a high position, had to start somewhere small, doing the less glamorous work, and it’s through that experience that they learned the ins and outs of the industry. They built relationships, understood the routine, and slowly worked their way up. It’s not about skipping the steps—it’s about going through the journey.”

Host: Jeeny’s words seem to linger in the room, creating a quiet shift in the conversation about the importance of starting small and working your way through the process. Jack stands still, his expression softening as he processes the deeper message behind Anger’s statement. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, the conversation feels rooted in a more profound understanding of growth and perseverance.

Jack: (his voice quieter now, almost reflective) “I see what he means. It’s easy to look at someone who’s made it big and think they skipped all the hard work, but in reality, it’s often those early, less glamorous jobs that teach us the most. The real value is in the process, the learning, and the relationships that come from doing the small things first.”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, her voice calm, yet filled with quiet strength) “Exactly. It’s a reminder that success is often a result of steady, consistent effort, not just a single moment of opportunity. Even the most successful people had to go through the mundane tasks, get to know the routine, and build a foundation before they could achieve their dreams.”

Jack: (pauses, a small smile forming on his face as the idea sinks in) “It’s liberating, isn’t it? To realize that we don’t need to skip ahead to the top to be successful. It’s about the journey, the small steps we take, and how they add up over time.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice gentle, yet filled with wisdom) “Exactly. The value lies in the process. It’s about being willing to start small, to put in the work, and to learn from every experience. Success is built on those steps, those relationships, and that understanding.”

Host: The room feels lighter now, as though the conversation has shifted into a deeper understanding of growth, persistence, and the importance of starting from the beginning. Jack turns from the window, his posture more relaxed, his thoughts clearly reflecting on the value of building success from the ground up. Jeeny watches him, content in the realization that success is not just about reaching the top quickly, but about navigating the journey with patience and purpose. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, there’s a shared understanding that the key to success is in the process, the learning, and the relationships that develop along the way.