A successful director who has worked in both film and television, Kate Herron, once told a story about how being a filmmaker can be seen as both liberating and empowering. Reading Robert Rodriguez's book "Rebel Without a Crew," which described his path to producing movies without waiting for approval or large budgets, gave her this insight.

Rodriguez's advice is straightforward but profound: if you want to make movies, don't wait for approval from others. Instead, take charge of the situation and begin producing. Herron echoes this sentiment when he discusses how Rodriguez urged readers to confidently and unapologetically identify as filmmakers.

Imagine launching a company in which you must first obtain approval from everyone else. You would never genuinely own the vision that fuels your passion if you were constantly waiting for someone to nod in agreement. But what if you just asserted your role instead? Rodriguez advises writing your name on a business card and identifying yourself as a filmmaker, much like a chef would proudly write their name on a menu.

This advice struck a deep chord with Herron's experience. She came to see that waiting for others' approval could turn into a never-ending game of getting their approval before acting. By following Rodriguez's example, she gained the confidence to follow her passion without fear, realizing that self-confidence and initiative are the keys to having genuine control over one's work.

Herron's analysis of Rodriguez's book essentially emphasizes a crucial lesson: sometimes all it takes to start a creative journey is a little self-assurance and identity reclamation. It's similar to sowing the first seed in a garden; after that, fostering growth happens naturally.