Don’t Listen to Anyone

Let me start by saying this — if that headline made you flinch a little, good. It’s supposed to.

Now before you grab the pitchforks, let’s be clear — I’m not saying you should ignore wisdom from people who’ve actually done the thing. I’m saying you need to filter what you hear. Because advice — like bellybuttons — everybody’s got one, and most of them are full of lint.

We live in a world where everyone is an “expert.” You can’t scroll for five seconds without someone trying to sell you the secret to writing a hit screenplay, landing your dream role, or launching your creative empire. And hey, I’m not knocking the hustle — some of those people really do know their stuff. But for every legitimate guide out there, there are fifty others who haven’t sold a script, directed a feature, or acted in anything beyond a student film.

Yet they’ll gladly take your money to “show you how it’s done.”

The Industry of Endless Advice

It’s not just Hollywood either — it’s everywhere. The self-help industry thrives on the same model. Like therapy or coaching, the goal isn’t always to solve your problem… it’s to sustain it. Because if they fix you, the checks stop coming. There’s no incentive to tell you, “You’re good — go make your movie now.” Instead, they tell you, “You’re so close! You just need one more seminar. One more class. One more consultation.”

That’s the business plan. Not a help-you plan — a keep-you-paying plan.

And look, I’m not saying everyone offering help is a scam artist. There are legitimate mentors, coaches, and consultants who have real credits, real experience, and real insights that can change your career. Those people are rare gems — and worth every penny. But finding them means doing your homework. Research their background. Watch their work. Talk to their past clients. Don’t just hand over your rent money because someone sounds confident in a Facebook ad.

Truth Hurts — But It Helps

Here’s the harsh truth: a lot of the people giving advice are in the exact same boat as you — they’re just charging you to row it.

Good advice is priceless. The right person can save you years of wasted effort, open doors you didn’t know existed, and help you sharpen your craft to a professional edge. But bad advice — that’s toxic. It kills momentum, builds false confidence, and can derail your career before it even starts.

Trust Your Gut

So yeah, listen to advice. Just don’t believe all of it. Take what serves you, and leave the rest. Because at the end of the day, your gut — that instinct that made you want to write, direct, act, or create in the first place — is worth more than all the overpriced courses and “insider secrets” in the world.

Don’t just listen to everyone. Listen to the right ones.

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