--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Basically, I frittered away the Nineties…" description: "\"Basically, I frittered away the Nineties making pop videos and being pretty self-indulgent.\" — John Hillcoat" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/266/john-hillcoat-10505_being_basically-i-frittered-away-the-nineties_3046095.jpg" --- # Basically, I frittered away the Nineties making pop videos… ![“Basically, I frittered away the Nineties making pop videos and being pretty self-indulgent.” quote by John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/266/john-hillcoat-10505_being_basically-i-frittered-away-the-nineties_3046095.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/266/john-hillcoat-10505_being_basically-i-frittered-away-the-nineties_3046095.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/266/john-hillcoat-10505_being_basically-i-frittered-away-the-nineties_3046095.jpg) > “Basically, I frittered away the Nineties making pop videos and being pretty self-indulgent.” [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Regret over youthful indulgence in pop culture, acknowledging wasted time **In simple terms:** Wasting the 1990s on superficial pursuits Key Takeaway Reflect on past choices to guide future direction Themes regret self‑assessment career Mood reflective honest Type career memoir creative reflection When to use this quote - film directing - music video production - career planning Key Concepts creative focus time management personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What lessons did you learn from that period? - How can artists balance indulgence and productivity? A Different Perspective Self‑criticism may overlook achievements; context unclear ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basically Frittered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basically-frittered-5044548/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Being pretty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-pretty/) [Indulgent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indulgent/) [Making Pop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-pop-2753375/) [Nineties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nineties/) [Pop Videos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pop-videos-2387564/) [Self indulgent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-indulgent/) [Videos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/videos/) ## Related quotes > [We spent a couple of years trying to be what we thought people wanted us to be, what the press thought we should be,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keren-woodward/we-spent-a-couple-of-years-trying-to-be-what-we-thought-people-wanted/) [Keren Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keren-woodward/) > [Novel-writing is a settling, lovely space. I call it self-indulgent - I feel mildly guilty about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yvonne-adhiambo-owuor/novel-writing-is-a-settling-lovely-space-i-call-it-self-indulgent-i/) [Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yvonne-adhiambo-owuor/) > [At the risk of saying you should make a self-indulgent film for your first movie: you should make a self-indulgent film for your first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-duplass/at-the-risk-of-saying-you-should-make-a-self-indulgent-film-for-your/) [Mark Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-duplass/) > [I am pretty self-indulgent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-annis/i-am-pretty-self-indulgent/) [Francesca Annis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-annis/) > [I've written books for awhile, but always on a pretty small scale and always pretty self-indulgent. I chose projects that I thought would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-cain/i-ve-written-books-for-awhile-but-always-on-a-pretty-small-scale-and/) [Chelsea Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-cain/) > [Music, for me, is completely self-indulgent. I write it, I play the instruments, I arrange it, I produce it. It's all about me -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/music-for-me-is-completely-self-indulgent-i-write-it-i-play-the/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [“I've been very self-indulgent and weird and I'm sorry. But I'd really like to die.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-busch/i-ve-been-very-self-indulgent-and-weird-and-i-m-sorry-but-i-d-really/) [Frederick Busch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-busch/) > [There is much appeal for me in Eastern religion, the little I know of it. And something thorny in me finds American adaptations of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-pinsky/there-is-much-appeal-for-me-in-eastern-religion-the-little-i-know-of/) [Robert Pinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-pinsky/) > [Being a vegan is a first-world phenomenon, completely self-indulgent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/being-a-vegan-is-a-first-world-phenomenon-completely-self-indulgent/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [But although I appreciate our audience, we don't do things for them. It's all for us - we play really self-indulgent music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cedric-bixler-zavala/but-although-i-appreciate-our-audience-we-don-t-do-things-for-them-it/) [Cedric Bixler-Zavala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cedric-bixler-zavala/) > [All autobiography is self-indulgent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daphne-du-maurier/all-autobiography-is-self-indulgent/) [Daphne du Maurier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daphne-du-maurier/) > [Beware of any belief that makes you self-indulgent; it came from the pit, no matter how beautiful it sounds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/beware-of-any-belief-that-makes-you-self-indulgent-it-came-from-the/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [Audiences don't want to see the kind of self-indulgent, boring dance that is so prevalent today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-morris/audiences-don-t-want-to-see-the-kind-of-self-indulgent-boring-dance/) [Mark Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-morris/) > [It's an embarrassment of riches because you have directors who don't better. You end up with so much stuff going on the screen that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dykstra/it-s-an-embarrassment-of-riches-because-you-have-directors-who-don-t/) [John Dykstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dykstra/) > [For me, writing essays, prose and fiction is a great way to be self-indulgent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diablo-cody/for-me-writing-essays-prose-and-fiction-is-a-great-way-to-be-self/) [Diablo Cody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diablo-cody/) ## More by John Hillcoat > [I am very keen to do a film that's female-led.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/i-am-very-keen-to-do-a-film-that-s-female-led/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [It's great to make strong, powerful films, but in terms of people wanting to finance them, it's also very difficult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/it-s-great-to-make-strong-powerful-films-but-in-terms-of-people/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [Fear shuts off possibilities. The first thing that kicks in when you're reacting with fear... This is what I love about Roosevelt's quote, "There's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/fear-shuts-off-possibilities-the-first-thing-that-kicks-in-when-you/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [I like restraint. Even with actors, restraint is something that I work on the most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/i-like-restraint-even-with-actors-restraint-is-something-that-i-work/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [I like the realism of anti-heroes. It's a healthy thing. I think heroes can be very unhealthy at times because it doesn't connect you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/i-like-the-realism-of-anti-heroes-it-s-a-healthy-thing-i-think-heroes/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [I love strong women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/i-love-strong-women/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [Everyone has a family, even if they're at war or fallen apart. It's the closest initial bond, and there's a sort of primal element…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/everyone-has-a-family-even-if-they-re-at-war-or-fallen-apart-it-s-the/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [For all the spectacle of CGI, there's something alien and unreal about that domain, like a videogame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/for-all-the-spectacle-of-cgi-there-s-something-alien-and-unreal-about/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [The one that I've always wanted - and I have Scott Rudin in my way blocking it - is 'Blood Meridian,' which Cormac McCarthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/the-one-that-i-ve-always-wanted-and-i-have-scott-rudin-in-my-way/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [I love working with ensemble groups of actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/i-love-working-with-ensemble-groups-of-actors/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [I love the sci-fi movies where it's from the point of view of humans in that situation... When it becomes too clever in its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/i-love-the-sci-fi-movies-where-it-s-from-the-point-of-view-of-humans/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [I like to do commercials that are more than just flogging a product. It needs to have something to say. It's always an opportunity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/i-like-to-do-commercials-that-are-more-than-just-flogging-a-product/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [Radiohead showed a real affinity to being bold with visual imagery, so it came as no surprise when Jonny Greenwood did 'There Will Be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/radiohead-showed-a-real-affinity-to-being-bold-with-visual-imagery-so/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [It's such an intense thing to make a film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/it-s-such-an-intense-thing-to-make-a-film/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [I personally found 'Avatar' - the blue people, to me, looked like painted art from the seventies. It didn't have the realism as, say,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/i-personally-found-avatar-the-blue-people-to-me-looked-like-painted/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) [Explore all 65 John Hillcoat quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Basically, I frittered away the Nineties making pop videos and being pretty self-indulgent.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Hillcoat" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/basically-i-frittered-away-the-nineties-making-pop-videos-and-being/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/basically-i-frittered-away-the-nineties-making-pop-videos-and-being/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/266/john-hillcoat-10505_being_basically-i-frittered-away-the-nineties_3046095.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/266/john-hillcoat-10505_being_basically-i-frittered-away-the-nineties_3046095.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/266/john-hillcoat-10505_being_basically-i-frittered-away-the-nineties_3046095.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Basically, I frittered away the Nineties making pop videos and being pretty self-indulgent.” — John Hillcoat", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Hillcoat", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Basically, I frittered away the Nineties...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/basically-i-frittered-away-the-nineties-making-pop-videos-and-being/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/basically-i-frittered-away-the-nineties-making-pop-videos-and-being/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```