Coffee & Content: Hollywood's Obsession with Ambition!

Coffee & Content: Hollywood's Obsession with Ambition!

Coffee & Content: Hollywood's Obsession with Ambition!

Richard "RB" Botto
Richard "RB" Botto
5 months ago

Happy Sunday, Creative Army!

Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee, and let's dive in.

First up, in this video essay by Thomas Flight, he’s analyzing Hollywood’s obsession with the theme of ambition, by taking a closer look at praised projects that are centered around this theme like The Bear, and contrasting it with its opposite, Wim Wenders and Takuma Takasaki’s film Perfect Days. So why is this theme so popular? Ambition is a central conflict in most people’s lives. Humans are driven to succeed, provide for our loved ones, survive our hardships, and come out stronger on the other side. We want. Making ambition a deeply relatable touchstone that draws in a viewer, especially when it’s presented in a big romantic way on screen.

What are other themes that you feel drawn to in films or series, that speak to you on a deeper level as a person and creator? I’d love for you to share them with us in the comments below and explain why the theme keeps resonating with you despite its common use.

Here at Stage 32, we’re all driven by our passions, ambition, and love for what we do. We’re here to put in the work and support one another along the long road to success. A few weeks ago, I got an email from a friend of mine letting me know that after many years of hard work and setbacks, he’s finally moving his project forward with a full greenlight into pre-production! It’s been a 12+ year journey and his relentless perseverance is what got him here. It’s a wonderful reminder that we only fail when we stop trying. Learn more in this video!

As always, here at Stage 32, we love to share stories and knowledge with our fellow film fans. Know someone who would love this content? Share it with them! Tag them below! You can keep up with all of our content by subscribing to the Stage 32 YouTube. For more inspirational, educational, and motivational content on all things entertainment industry, follow me on Instagram and X @rbwalksintoabar.

Wishing you a very happy, healthy, & creative Sunday.

Cheers,

RB

Thomas Flight | Hollywood’s Obsession with Ambition

Coffee  Content Hollywoods Obsession with Ambition

RBWalksIntoABar | Never Surrender

Coffee  Content Hollywoods Obsession with Ambition

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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About the Author

Richard "RB" Botto

Richard "RB" Botto

Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist

Richard "RB" Botto has created the online platform and marketplace designed to democratize the entertainment industry, Stage 32. By leveling the playing field for all film, television and digital content creators and professionals worldwide, Stage 32 provides networking and training opportunities as...

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9 Comments on Richard RB's Article

Stephen Olson
Playwright, Screenwriter
As I am sixty-eight and have become increasingly aware of the light at the end of the tunnel, I have found that an ongoing theme for me centers around death. I explore the possibility of life after it and the acceptance of it, to the point of preparing for it. I also have a thought on the statement of "You only fail, when you stop trying." My thought is "You haven't failed if you have tried." I also like Mandel's statement; "I never fail at anything I do. I am either successful or I have learned something from it."
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
All great takeaways, Stephen Olson. Thanks for sharing.
5 months ago
Maurice Vaughan
Screenwriter
Good morning, RB. My creative weekend’s been great. I wrote a short script for fun – and it was practice! – and read another writer’s feature script. I write ambitious characters, but I don’t think I’ve written ambition as the theme of a script. I can’t figure out the theme for this one script idea that I have. “Ambition” or something like “don’t let ambition destroy you” might be the theme it needs. Thanks for sharing the video! It’ll come in handy. One of the themes that I feel drawn to in films or series is “don’t bully/antibullying” because I was bullied in elementary and middle school. I also write that theme in scripts. Congratulations to your friend on moving his project forward! There were times when I wanted to give up on scripts because I wasn’t getting any requests – scripts I thought were as perfect as they could be – but I rewrote them instead and got requests.
5 months ago
Maurice Vaughan
Screenwriter
You're welcome, Maria. Thank you! I appreciate it! Congratulations on all your success, and I hope you have more!
5 months ago
Maria Baltazzi
Director, Producer, Content Creator
@Maurice Vaughan thank you for the inspiring post. Congratulations on your success!
5 months ago
So interesting, I loved the topic because it's so true. Internal validation is more important as it's sustainable and healthy. Thank you, RB
5 months ago
Maria Baltazzi
Director, Producer, Content Creator
Agree with this too, RB.
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
That's why shutting out the uniformed and negative voices is so important, Brigitte Millar. We can't give weight to people with no experience and their own doom and gloom perspectives to work through.
5 months ago
Tom Stohlgren
Author, Researcher, Screenwriter
I loved the Thomas Flight approach to balance ambition and contentment. As a writer, I’m well aware that the word “content” has two main meanings. If you feel content, you're satisfied and happy. If you’re creating content, you are molding ideas that are contained in a piece of writing, a speech, or a film. It’s nice when one creates the other. And thanks, RB for the reminder never to surrender. My joy is in the act of storytelling, so surrendering is never an option. I hope everyone has a productive day, every day.
5 months ago
Maria Baltazzi
Director, Producer, Content Creator
I agree, surrendering is not an option!
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Always enjoy your insights and perspective, Tom Stohlgren. Uplifting.
5 months ago
Haley Mary
Actor, Songwriter, Comedian
Love the advice and it's so true! I remind myself not to give up on my artistic ambitions because what if the day I decided to quit was the day that opportunity came along? Hope you're having a great weekend!
5 months ago
Maria Baltazzi
Director, Producer, Content Creator
I have always liked the saying about when preparation meets opportunity — it’s a good one!
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
And you never know when preparation will meet opportunity. Or, truly, how much of that is completely in your control, Haley Mary.
5 months ago
Love it!
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Thanks, Wendy Kay!
5 months ago
Extremely helpful.
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Love hearing that, Brigitte Millar. Thank you for sharing.
5 months ago
Jack Vincent
Director, Screenwriter, Producer
Currently working on a project whose protagonist is driven by ambition. The friction point? Where a lifelong need to survive meets extreme success, with corruption as the great divide. How deep does he go?
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Sounds intriguing, Jack Vincent!
5 months ago
Harri-Pekka Virkki
Author, Stunt Performer
Thank you, Richard RB
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
My pleasure, Harri-Pekka Virkki!
5 months ago
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