School is almost out for summer, and for university graduates, it means their lives start now. And after Martin Scorsese delivered a fine speech for students at New York University’s Tisch School Of The Arts last spring, his pal Robert De Niro stepped up to the microphone this year, and didn’t disappoint, bringing humor, hard truth, and encouragement.
"When it comes to the arts, passion should always trump common sense. You weren’t just following dreams, you were reaching for your destiny. You’re a dancer, a singer, a choreographer, musician, a filmmaker, a writer, a photographer, a director, a producer, an actor, an artist. Yeah, you’re fucked," De Niro said, adding, “The good news is, that’s not a bad place to start.”
"Rejection might sting but my feeling is that often it has very little to do with you," he also advised. "When you’re auditioning or pitching, the director or producer or investor may have something or someone different in mind. That’s just how it is….By the way, there will be times when your best isn’t good enough. There can be many reasons for this, but as long as you give your best you’ll be OK."
Watch the full sixteen-minute speech below. [via No Film School]