When I was going for my graduate degree, I decided I was going to

Host: The room was filled with a quiet hum, the evening light dimming as the day slipped into night. The air was still, almost reflective. Jeeny sat at the table, a notebook in front of her, but her mind seemed focused on something beyond the pages. Jack, standing near the window, gazed out at the fading world, his thoughts clearly deep in contemplation. The stillness between them was comfortable, but there was a sense of anticipation, like a conversation was just waiting to unfold.

Finally, Jeeny broke the silence, her voice gentle but curious.

Jeeny: “I came across something today by Francis Ford Coppola. He said, ‘When I was going for my graduate degree, I decided I was going to make a feature film as my thesis. That’s what I was famous for—that I had my thesis film be a feature film, which was ‘You’re a Big Boy Now.’’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: (pauses, his voice thoughtful) “That’s a fascinating choice, isn’t it? To make a feature film as your thesis project—it’s almost like Coppola was setting the bar high from the very beginning. It’s not just about showing what you can do; it’s about creating something with real substance, something that could stand on its own, even at the start of your career.”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly) “Exactly. He didn’t just want to do what was expected or easy. He chose to make something big, something that would challenge him. It’s a perfect example of setting the standard for yourself early on. It’s about believing in your vision, even if it’s unconventional or risky.”

Host: The quiet in the room seemed to deepen as the weight of Jeeny’s words settled in. Jack’s expression softened, his gaze turning inward as he considered the deeper meaning behind Coppola’s decision. Outside, the world continued to slip into night, but inside, their conversation felt more meaningful, as though it had touched on something personal.

Jack: (his voice a little softer now) “But I think it’s also about commitment. When you set your mind to something big, something that seems like a stretch, you’re not just making a film—you’re making a statement. Coppola was committing to his vision, not just to get through his thesis, but to prove that he could take on something that demanded everything from him.”

Jeeny: (with a thoughtful smile) “Yes, it’s about not shying away from the challenge. If you’re going to dream, dream big. It’s easy to play it safe, to choose something smaller that’s more likely to succeed. But Coppola chose to put his energy into something that was going to take him out of his comfort zone, something that would ultimately shape his future.”

Jack: (pauses, voice reflective) “It’s like he was already setting himself up for success by pushing himself in a way that felt unconventional, even risky. He didn’t want to just meet expectations; he wanted to surpass them.”

Jeeny: (gently) “Exactly. And that’s where the real growth happens, right? When you take a big leap, when you step outside the lines, you end up learning so much more than you would by playing it safe. That’s the essence of creativity—challenging yourself, even when it seems overwhelming.”

Host: The room seemed to shift, the conversation taking on a new layer of meaning. The stillness between them grew, each word reflecting a deeper truth about ambition, risk, and the power of going after something bold. Jack turned slightly, his gaze focused, as if seeing Coppola’s journey from a new perspective.

Jack: (smiling softly, his voice more assured) “I guess that’s the key. It’s about setting yourself up to do something that feels impossible at first, because that’s where the true growth lies. You have to be willing to make a big statement about who you are, what you believe in, and what you’re willing to work for.”

Jeeny: (nodding with a small smile) “Yes, exactly. Coppola didn’t just make a film for a grade—he made a film that would define him. And in doing that, he set himself on the path to creating something timeless, something that could withstand the test of time.”

Host: The quiet in the room grew deeper, as the conversation settled into a space of quiet reflection. The world outside had grown still, and inside, Jeeny and Jack were left with a realization—that true growth, true success, often comes when we choose to challenge ourselves, to go after something bigger than what we think is possible. Just like Coppola’s decision to make a feature film for his thesis, it’s in taking bold steps that we set the stage for something greater.