Jeff White, Visual Effects Supervisor, Industrial Light & Magic

I was always interested in computer graphics and their application to visual effects. At the time I was going to college, there were very few formal programs in CG. I ended up studying cinema and photography with a minor in computer science. It actually turned out to be a nice combination of skills for a job in the field. I am terrible at drawing, so that route was not going to get me in, but studying film production, lighting, camera work, editing, was all very relevant to the job I do today.

Hossein Amini, Screenwriter (Drive, The Wings of the Dove, Snow White and the Huntsman)

I think you learn from doing lots and lots of stuff, but also you have to be quite tough about rejection and not getting breaks. I mean, I had tons of stuff. I kept on sending scripts out and getting rejection letters, often probably from people who sometimes hadn’t even read them, I assume. I think that persistence and toughness are just so important. And I think everyone gets better; I don’t think it’s something you’re born with. I do think it’s something that hard work gets you further and further, and I think you improve.

Robert Rodriguez, Filmmaker (Sin City, Spy Kids), to the Graduating Class at the University of Texas

I didn’t know that it was impossible to go make a movie for such a low budget with no film crew. . . . How did I figure it out? I’m from a big family. I can’t waste money. It’s against my genetic makeup. So I had to substitute money with creativity, and that’s what made all the difference. So I had to make a movie in a way that broke the traditional mold and learn not to be a slave to tradition. Traditional thinking will hold you back.

Jennifer Lee, Filmmaker (Frozen), to the Graduating Class at the University of New Hampshire

When you are free from self-doubt, you fail better. You accept criticism and listen. . . . If I learned one thing, it is that self-doubt is one of the most destructive forces. It makes you defensive instead of open, reactive instead of active. . . . If you can learn to not take it personally, you’ll be able to listen to constructive criticism and find it inspiring. It might motivate you and show you that you are capable of far more than you ever imagined.