The profound piece of advice that Frank Darabont received from a fellow director changed his outlook
“I’ve remembered his words of wisdom so often since then,” said Darabont.
Confronting your own failures is no easy task. But without awareness, we’d never properly grow as people and become better. Though a talented director, Frank Darabont has dealt with his fair share of failures. The director is known for movies like The Mist (2007) and The Green Mile (1999). However, Darabont is also responsible for The Shawshank Redemption, another Stephen King adaptation that was not as well-received when it premiered in 1994.
Darabont discussed his brush with frequent frustrations, but also offered a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. During a particularly trying time, Darabont was given a piece of advice from a mentor and fellow director, Robert Benton. Benton was best known for the 1979 film, Kramer vs. Kramer. “Every day of filmmaking feels like a failure, because you had to give up something,” Benton told Darabont.
The words lingered in Darabont’s mind and remained a steadfast reprieve when the going got rough. To have to sacrifice something you love is inevitable as an artist, but to have the courage to continue on is a sign of strength.
“I’ve remembered his words of wisdom so often since then,” said Darabont. “Anytime I’ve had a day when I felt beaten by the clock, when I’ve had to give up something, I always think of what Robert Benton told me, and I take comfort from it,” Darabont says.
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