I'd trained to be a diplomat but the state department said…
“I'd trained to be a diplomat but the state department said I was too liberal. I saw an ad in the New York Times ... a hack Californian editor came to New York to butcher some films and he needed an assistant. For some reason I read it that day and it changed my life. I went to work for him and he was horrible, butchering these masterpieces by Antonioni, Visconti, but I learned enough to know what he was doing wrong.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
She describes a pivotal career moment where a demanding editor taught her valuable lessons about film editing despite harsh methods.
In simple terms: A tough mentor taught her crucial editing skills.
Embrace challenging mentors to grow.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- film school
- first job
- career transition
- learning from criticism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you turn harsh feedback into constructive growth?
- What qualities make a mentor effective despite a tough demeanor?
The editor's harshness could stifle creativity if not balanced with support.