I know you were all itching for another thread by me, so here it goes. When you're on a set, pay attention to the people around you. And by that I mean the silent ones, the overlooked ones, the sponges who just want to be on set bc they love making movies. You'll know them. 1/

They're there to LEARN. And to ABSORB. They're HUNGRY. Are YOU? Do you want the workers doing the bare bones minimum in your corner, or a hungry go getter willing to do whatever it takes to perfect their craft? Guess which ones I navigate towards? Okay, here's what you do. 2/

Introduce yourself. Ask what they do. NOT CURRENTLY. What do they WANT to do. What's their dream? I have a story I'll share. See next tweet... 3/

Everyday in my office a kid comes through wiping off all the door handles. He sprays down everything and disinfects everything bc he's on the Covid team. He's never complained. He's always cordial. He does his job and does it well. Yesterday he came into my plexiglass area 4/

I commended him on a job well done and told him I could tell he does his job with pride. He nodded and thanked me. He turned to leave and I stopped him, and asked the question: WHAT DO YOU DO? Now, take notice of this. His answer was: "I'm on the Covid prevention team." 5/

"No you're not," I said, thus pulling him in with my puzzling words. "What ARE you?" He didn't know how to answer. I pointed to my posters behind me. (ask me about silent marketing later). I said, "See? I'm a DIRECTOR. I direct. But I side hustle as a producer's asst." 6/

His eyes lit up. He got it! "I'm a WRITER!" he exclaimed and the smile was priceless. Now we had something more to chat about. I'm a writer too, and now we have a bond. He asked for my email. I gave it. He asked if he could talk more with me. I said yes. The point is...7/

I could be working with the next David Mamet, you never know. This kid, who's eyes kept lowering bc he felt inferior, suddenly felt SEEN. And RESPECTED. And THAT is what it's all about. You GIVE to someone else (respect/kindness are free) and the outcome is life changing. 8/

Maybe it was life changing for him. Maybe for me. I don't know yet and I may never know. That's okay. But I gave a kid some confidence and showed him how to frame his world. He IS a writer currently working on the Covid team. He's not his station. His station does not OWN him. 9/

Your station does not own YOU. Anyway, as you go around and meet these quiet ones, you'll discover you've suddenly surrounded yourself with allies... a grip here, a DP there, a sound mixer, a composer. So when you see a PA? Recognize them. They're working toward something. 10/

Just like you. You may think you have it all together and you meet a genius and BOOM they're working with JJ Abrams now. How did you treat that person? And saying that, I want to make something very VERY clear... 11/

You don't treat people nice bc you WANT something from them. You treat people nice bc life is hard enough and stomps on them enough and you are the anomaly in their life. You CARE. If you're only making 'friends' to get something. Both of you will know it. 12/

And that's not beneficial for anyone and can hurt people. You don't want that brand on you. Some folks you meet you won't like. THAT IS OKAY. Don't burn the bridge though. They just aren't in your immediate circle. 13/

Some, however, will be special and it'll feel like you found a missing piece of yourself and they become part of your tribe, your group, your clan. Spielberg went to a local film fest to see George Lucas's short film. Afterwards, he introduced himself...14/

They forged a friendship and are BFFs today. YOU NEVER KNOW IF IT'S A SPIELBERG WAITING TO SHAKE YOUR HAND. So, take notice of those around. ASK THEM what they do. Respect them. Cheer them on. It's worth it. 15/

In a world of meanies, be the cheerleading optimist that everyone wants in their corner. It's a rare breed, I can tell you that. But it's rewarding, fun, and I wouldn't change a thing. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk today. 16/End of Thread.