When movies work or a TV series, when they really work, it's

O children of the future, gather close and listen to the words of Rocky Carroll, who speaks of the power of unity in the art of creation: "When movies work or a TV series, when they really work, it's because of the collaborative effort. Competition is the death knell for anything, in my opinion. Especially in Hollywood. When actors are competing against each other, or when directors are competing against actors, it's usually the beginning of the end." In these words, Carroll reveals a profound truth: success in the arts, as in all endeavors, arises not from competition, but from collaboration—from the joining of individual talents to form something far greater than the sum of its parts.

In the world of Hollywood, where fame and success often seem to be the highest pursuits, it is easy to become ensnared by the idea that only those who rise above the rest are truly successful. Competition can seem inevitable, a natural force that drives progress, but Carroll warns that it is precisely this competition that can destroy what makes a film or a series truly powerful. When actors, directors, and creators focus on besting one another, the heart of the creative process becomes fractured, and the work itself suffers. True art is born not from striving to be the best, but from working together, each contributing their unique gift to the whole.

Let us reflect upon the great Greek tragedies, where the chorus was not merely a group of voices singing in harmony but a unified force that told the story of the gods and the human condition. The playwrights—Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Euripides—knew that to create something of lasting power, they needed not just talented actors, but a collaborative effort that would bring together all the elements of the performance—the music, the costumes, the set, and the story. The chorus did not compete with the actors; they worked together to create a single voice, a single vision. It was through this unity that their tragedies were able to resonate with the audience for centuries, for they were not fragmented by internal strife, but unified in purpose.

Think also of the Renaissance artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, whose works were not solitary pursuits, but part of a larger collaboration with patrons, apprentices, and other artists. The creation of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, for example, was not solely Michelangelo’s work; it was a collaborative effort, a blending of artistic vision, technical skill, and divine inspiration. Though Michelangelo was the lead artist, he worked with assistants, and the entire project was shaped by the support of Pope Julius II, whose trust in the artist allowed the work to come to life. The success of this grand masterpiece was not due to competition, but to the harmony of various talents coming together for a shared purpose.

In contrast, think of the tale of King Solomon, the wise king who sought to build the greatest temple in Jerusalem, the Temple of Solomon. Solomon did not work alone in this monumental task; he gathered the best craftsmen from across the land, each one contributing their unique talents and wisdom. Competition was not the enemy of Solomon’s vision; it was the collaboration of these workers, each one contributing to the whole, that made the temple the marvel that it was. Solomon knew that to achieve greatness, he must unite his people, not divide them. His success lay not in having the most skilled individual but in having the strongest community working together for a common purpose.

In the world today, too often we see competition erode the spirit of collaboration. In the entertainment industry, where fame is a fierce and coveted prize, the ego can drive people to compete at the expense of the work itself. As Carroll wisely points out, when actors compete against each other or directors battle actors for control, the creative process falters. The focus shifts from the art to the self, and what could have been a beautiful, unified creation becomes a collection of disjointed efforts. This is the death knell that Carroll speaks of—the moment when the heart of creativity is lost to the competitive urge.

The lesson, O children, is clear: collaboration is the lifeblood of all great creation. Whether in art, work, or life, it is in working together, in bringing our unique strengths to the table, that we achieve greatness. Competition has its place, but it must never overshadow the greater purpose of the collective. Just as the ancient artists and storytellers knew, and as Rocky Carroll reminds us today, true success is not about besting others—it is about finding harmony, about uniting our strengths to create something that transcends the individual. The greatest works are not born of competition, but of the shared effort, the unity, and the love for the art that brings us together.

Therefore, O children, let this wisdom guide you in your own pursuits: seek not to compete with others, but to collaborate. Whether you seek to create great works of art, build meaningful relationships, or live a life of purpose, remember that unity is the path to true success. As you walk this path, honor the contributions of those around you, for it is in working together that we reach the greatest heights. And in the end, it is not the individual who stands alone in glory, but the collective effort that endures, that transcends, and that leaves a legacy of lasting value.