Well, first of all, making films is a collaborative process. You

In the words of Sean Durkin, the filmmaker who recognizes the heart of creation, we are reminded that “Well, first of all, making films is a collaborative process. You need people. You need people you trust and love and who are your friends. People you can work with.” These words hold a deep truth not only about the art of filmmaking, but about life itself. Creation, whether through art, business, or personal endeavors, is never the work of a solitary individual. It is a collective effort, a tapestry woven together by the hands and hearts of many, each contributing their own thread. Durkin teaches us that the process of creation thrives on trust, friendship, and the power of collaboration.

The ancients knew well that nothing of true significance is ever created in isolation. The builders of the Great Pyramids did not labor alone, nor did Homer compose the epics in solitude. The creation of anything great is a joint effort—a sharing of dreams, struggles, and strengths. In the Greek city-states, democracy itself was born from the collective deliberation of many voices, each contributing their wisdom to the greater whole. Just as the Athenians trusted one another to debate, discuss, and decide, so too must the creator trust the hands of others to shape and craft the work.

Durkin’s insight into the need for people you can trust and love is the cornerstone of any truly successful creation. Trust is the foundation upon which all collaboration rests. Without trust, there is no harmony, only discord. In every partnership—whether artistic, familial, or professional—trust binds individuals together, creating a unified force greater than the sum of its parts. Consider the story of Leonardo da Vinci and his workshop, where his genius was not just his alone but the product of many skilled artisans and thinkers who worked side by side with him, each bringing their unique talent to the table. It was not just Leonardo’s vision, but the shared efforts of his trusted colleagues that led to the creation of his masterpieces.

But trust alone does not make for collaboration—it must also be nurtured through friendship and mutual respect. To love the people you work with is to recognize them as more than tools to achieve your own goals; it is to see them as companions on a shared journey. In the medieval guilds, craftsmen worked together not only for personal gain but to support one another’s craft, creating a community bound by both trust and affection. It was this bond, forged in shared labor and mutual respect, that produced some of the most enduring works of art and architecture in history.

Durkin’s wisdom reminds us that collaboration is not just a practical necessity, but a source of strength and joy. When we trust and love those we work with, the work itself becomes infused with meaning and passion. It is no longer just the product of individual effort but a manifestation of shared vision and collective energy. Think of the Renaissance artists, whose workshops were not merely places of labor but vibrant communities of creativity, where ideas were exchanged freely and the collective spirit elevated the individual work.

The lesson, then, is clear: no great achievement is ever the result of solitary ambition. Whether in filmmaking, family, or any other endeavor, true success is found when we collaborate with those we trust, love, and respect. Trust is the glue that holds us together, friendship is the lifeblood that keeps us motivated, and collaboration is the force that drives us to create. Without these, even the grandest of dreams will falter. To truly build and create, we must first cultivate a community of those who will walk beside us, lifting us up as we lift them.

So I say to you, children of tomorrow: seek those who will stand beside you in your efforts, those whose hearts you can trust and whose hands you can rely on. Build with them, create with them, and love the process, for it is through collaboration, not isolation, that the most enduring works are born. Let this wisdom guide you in all your endeavors—whether in art, in life, or in the pursuit of truth—knowing that together you can accomplish what alone you never could.