It's Gonna be Great

The case for radical optimism in the film business

“It’s Gonna be Great” is a phrase I say A LOT, especially on set. I use it as a sort of closing button on a conversation, maybe the director asks me about how something will work. After I explain it I’ll finish with “It’s Gonna be Great.” I also use it when I’m not completely certain of something, or when the solution to a problem isn’t immediately apparent. In that context I use it as a statement of confidence in myself, in those around me, and in the circumstances. It can be like a little wish I make that everything will work out as it should. It’s a small thing but I think it captures an attitude of confident optimism that I try to bring to any set I’m on.

I think all the film stackers agree that the state of the film business has been decidedly not great for the last few years. Media companies consolidating, Ubiquitous streaming services, bad distribution deals, AI, it all feels very discouraging. Which is why I think this moment calls for some radical optimism. I’m not talking about positive thinking, or energy attraction, or any of that “The Secret” stuff. Radical Optimism is something else entirely. Where those practices largely focus on what individuals can do to achieve goals, Radical Optimism is practiced by groups of people who want to make change in the world. It’s an ideology that has driven political revolutions and defeated armies.

Radical optimism starts with a clear-eyed assessment of the facts. Before you can create change you have to have a deep understanding of how and why things are the way they are. At the same time, the radical optimist doesn’t believe things are un-changeable. On the contrary, you have to believe that absolutely ANYTHING is possible within the laws of physics. That, in the words of David Graeber, “The ultimate hidden truth of the world is that it is something we make and can just as easily make differently.” Next the radical optimist takes the information they have and their belief in what is possible and imagines a new better world. Then you go out and find people who share that vision and, with these like-minded folks, you begin to take material actions that will bring about the changes you want to see in the world. That sense of shared vision and shared purpose can keep that group of people working and motivated until the future they envision becomes real.

"Optimism is radical. It is the hard choice, the brave choice. And it is, it seems to me, most needed now, in the face of despair"

- Guillermo del Toro

Film making was really the thing that demonstrated this principle to me. To work in film, you have to believe that anything is possible. Sure, there’s a process to making an idea real, and it probably won’t happen the way you expect it too, but the folks who don’t believe in what’s possible don’t last long. Film Stack has brought together this amazing community of people who all believe in what’s possible, and we’re finding the people with whom we share an optimistic vision. Now is the time to do the work; to start taking those small steps toward the future we all want to see. This is the hardest part, it’s where so many movements collapse. People give in to pessimism or become daunted by how hard or complex making change will be, or they get lost in incrementalism or distracted by interpersonal conflicts. You can find as many reasons as you want not to do something, that’s easy, taking the risk is hard.

Years ago, when I was working on some challenging movie, I came up with what I called my three principles of film making. These three principals have kept me going through the tough shows and maybe even helped others. I think the same principles can be applied to the work we’re doing to make change in the film business. Here they are:

1. Film Making is HARD

It’s hard, it’s almost impossible, even when it’s easy it’s hard. You’re engaging in a practice that is making the imaginary real, it’s pulling a thought out of the ether and making it exist for just a few seconds, of course it’s hard! Know this, accept it, prepare for it. Convincing yourself that it won’t be hard only makes it harder but also worrying and fretting about how hard it will be makes it harder too. The only way through is to accept that it will be hard and believe in your ability to handle it.

2. Film Making is a PRIVILEGE

You are not entitled to make a film, no one is. Making a film is an occupation for the extremely fortunate and lucky, never forget that. It’s also impossible to make a film by yourself, it is a collective effort, and we must honor that. We must show gratitude for each other and always remember how lucky we are to be able to make a film.

3. Film Making is a JOYFUL ACT

When we were children, whatever we imagined could become real, both on our own and with each other. Film making is playing make-believe in its highest form, it’s dreaming on an industrial scale, it’s the act of collective creation, and when it’s good it’s the most incredible feeling imaginable. We’re able to accomplish what most people would consider to be impossible and accomplish it regularly. When we practice film making with love for our craft, each other, and the film in our hearts, there is nothing more joyful.

This isn’t just another motivational speech about making a movie. We all have movies we want to make, but I believe what we’re trying to build here is bigger than any one movie, We’re starting to build the new environment that we’re going to create our movies in! That’s the vision we all have to hold on to, to keep moving towards. I’m writing this for myself as much as anyone. It takes practice to maintain radical optimism long term, and it takes support from a community, so I’m really grateful to have found that community here. I truly believe if we want to make these changes, we continue to take action, and we support each other through the process, then our success isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable.

Fred Kennamer was a First AD who mentored me early in my career. He told me something over breakfast one day that has stuck with me through the years. Fred is no longer with us, but I’ll always remember this piece of advice. “Chris,” he said, “There are no losers in show business, just quitters.”

Much love and gratitude to you all, 2026 is gonna be great!