Mark Duplass has repeatedly been called one of the hardest working guys in Hollywood. A self-proclaimed “B- in genius clothing,” Duplass has not only forged his own path, but redefined what success means to him.  

By breaking down some of the longstanding aphorisms and clichés that professionals and “experts” like to tout, Mark discusses which maxims are true, which are false, and which are entirely misleading. From “The Cavalry isn’t coming” and “Learn the rules before you break them” to “Never compromise your vision,” Duplass advocates how his “caveman thinking, ignorance, and slight idiocy” was really the mindset he needed to succeed and realize his dream. By following his own interests and vision, Duplass was able to find his own voice and create a career uniquely his own.  

In this speech, Duplass shares why the cavalry isn’t coming — and why this doesn’t matter if you can be your own cavalry and learn to handle success, money, work ethic, and resourceful on your own terms. 

If there’s anyone that knows how to collaborate, it’s Mark Duplass. Known for his lifelong partnership with his brother Jay, the Duplass brother’s work can be seen on HBO's Room 104, Togetherness, which the two wrote, directed, and produced, a dozen films, including Baghead and The Puffy Chair, and the memoir Like Brothers.   

While some people can work on their own, they’re rare, and less likely to push creative boundaries, experiment, be challenged, or manage the burden of getting a project off the ground. 

Having experienced the joys and frustrations of intimate collaboration, Mark takes audiences on a tour of his unique partnership with his brother and the important lessons he’s learned the hard way. From getting beyond the 50/50 rule of “equal control” to concentrating on — and leveraging each other’s strengths and abilities, Duplass shares a practical roadmap to maintaining rewarding creative partnerships. Although most relationships won’t be as intense as Mark and Jay’s, their trust, validation, and healthy disagreement has taken them far.  

Like most pioneers, Mark Duplass had no intention of leading a film movement, but stumbled into it by a lack of resources and funds and a burning desire to create.   

The unintended result of his efforts was Mumblecore: a stripped down method of filmmaking with a naturalistic and unapologetically earnest style of storytelling that follows a coherent script but with unlimited freedom to improvise.  

In this speech, Duplass speaks about the changing nature of filmmaking and how his limitations and constraints launched his career on a trajectory distinguishing him in a cutthroat, saturated industry. From the breakthrough short he made on a three-dollar budget to the night his feature film Baghead became the center of a Sundance bidding war, Duplass shares how to find your own unique voice by ignoring what others have done and doing what is natural and feels right for you.  

Mark Duplass has pioneered a movement in film and become something of a trailblazer in production and distribution. But it wasn’t his first goal to become a filmmaker, or his first artistic inclination. With dreams of becoming a musician and singer/songwriter, Duplass played obsessively until he developed severe tendonitis and carpal tunnel and eventually lost the ability to perform. During this time, he was also experiencing a state of depression and anxiety that lasted for roughly eight years, peaking when he could no longer play music. 

Turning his full attention to filmmaking, Mark continued his pursuit of becoming a successful artist but with no more ease or success. And with crippling depression, anxiety, and fear of failure, he and his brother Jay’s last-ditch effort for a film was “This is John,” a short film about the inability to record the “perfect” voicemail message and suffering a panic attack as a result. Appearing at Sundance and scoring a number of awards, “This is John” literally put the Duplass brothers on the map and paved the way for future successful projects. In this personal and inspiring speech, Mark shares his experiences with mental illness and exemplifies how dark times can often lead to ideas that never would have occurred otherwise.

The mythology of the visionary artist can be inspiring… and absolutely debilitating. Do we need to suffer and bring ourselves to the brink of destruction to make something that speaks to others? Is it possible to be relevant and also sustain a long, happy life in the arts? Join Mark Duplass, a self-described “genetic B minus,” as he details his pragmatic approach to making art.