It was truly wonderful to be a part of this ceremony. I've gone ahead and transcribed Dr. Lowe's speech for anyone who may want a copy. "The doctor’s in the house! Usually I play them on TV, now I am one. Daniel thank you so much for that introduction, and that video clip was amazing, it was amazing. I wanna start by thanking President Wallace, the faculty, the staff, and the Bees for having me. It’s an honor to celebrate the real stars, and that is you. And maybe, MAYBE the parents who might have written a few checks. God Bless you. But it's you who are the stars. You have shown the vision, the dedication, the perseverance, as well as your artistic integrity and you have LITERALLY passed the test, and today you graduate! The world of jobs and next steps will be here soon enough. So I urge you - take a moment and celebrate this time with your friends and your family and the people that you love most. This is my first commencement speech, which reminds me that even after 48 years of doing this, there are still new experiences and new exciting things around the corner. Like all of you, I knew at a young age I wanted to be in the arts. Like most of you, I didn't have any connection to that world. I came from Ohio (Let's go Buckeyes!) and I had never really met anyone in show business, but I broke down the door anyway. And so will you! From Broadway to TV, to movies, books, podcasts, even my own game show, I’ve found a way to build a career and a life beyond my dreams, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. First of all, you have picked the most noble and valuable job that has ever existed. Whether you are an actor, a writer, a director, production designer, animator, editor, painter, first and foremost you’re a storyteller, and never forget that. Imagine where we would be without great storytelling. I truly believe that we wouldn't be alive as a civilization without it. I mean, If you want to get your tribe of cavemen and women to migrate out of Africa, you better be able to communicate a really good story. So know who you are, and know what you are, at your essence, and value it. Believe in your mission, believe in your gifts, because if you don't, no one else is likely to either. It's also critical to fish where the fish are, and by that I mean, be adaptive. Be flexible. Be prepared to course correct to new opportunities. You bang on one locked door long enough, look for another entrance. And for God’s sakes, when a new door opens, even if you don't know where it's gonna lead, walk through it. Never forget, never EVER forget that your greatest plans are small and insignificant compared to what God has planned for you. Also remember, it’s inspiration, not imitation. Seek out the great art, read the great books, watch the great shows, study the masters, be inspired by them, but never ever imitate them. There's only one Quentin Tarantino, we don't need a second. But there’s only one you. It’s your experience, it's your taste, it's your opinion, and your history that we desperately need. I see a lot of artists, particularly writers, but it's true for everybody - they imitate a style. And a lot of times, it's unconscious, they're just doing their spin on something that they see commonly all around them. But I promise you that leads to a career of middling, forgettable mediocrity if you're lucky. So it's your unique point of view that’s your secret sauce, find it and protect it. Which leads me to this: It’s collaboration, not subordination. You're young, you're inexperienced, you're a good person, you wanna please, you're a team player, as you should. Never ever stray away from that ethos. But I've seen so many young talents swallow their own instincts and their own tastes of what is of value as they work on a project because they think “well look I’m new, you know, and my collaborators, my bosses, they're experienced, they might even be experts”. Well if that's true, there's nothing a real expert loves more than a good idea. So if you have one, very politely, and not defensively, fight for it. Because here's a dirty little secret from Hollywood. There are no brownie points in playing nice in failure. But there are huge brownie points in success, no matter what the process was like. So when you get your shot, and you will, it may be the only one you get. And God forbid it doesn't work, go down swinging. Don't have a life long case of woulda, coulda, shoulda. There is no one size fits all plan for success. Each of you is going to have a different path, because as I've said, each of you has different special gifts. You didn't choose a career in finance or law. There's no conveyor belt of employment. You're gonna make this up as you go along, and that is one of the great joys. Enjoy it, say yes to any opportunity that comes your way. If you have any interest in it, I don't care if it's unpaid in a third world country making paintings only with the bodily fluids of others or acting with ancient aliens, say YES. You will gain experience and you cannot possibly know who you might meet because all careers, ALL careers, require some amount of luck. And luck comes from showing up. Everyone knows we live in a moment of uncertainty, chaos, tremendous technological change that will make the industrial revolution look like a non-event. Don't be the dinosaur after the asteroid hit. Be the species that adapted. You have all the time to prepare. Learn how to use new technology to your advantage, don’t stick your head in the sand, and wake up to a world where your competitors embraced and found a way to take advantage of change while you shook your fist at the sky in defense of art or anything else because for thousands of years, we discovered language, and the world changed. Next, we discovered writing, world changed again. We discovered film, and audiences were stunned to see the first movie of a train moving towards them in a screen and many of them fled in fear. We had silent films, and the silent film stars of that era who were world wide icons at the time - many disappeared overnight because they didn’t have the technique to speak compellingly on film. Black and white movies gave way to color, then in a seismic shift, television arrived and by the 1950’s people were betting that movies would be obsolete within two decades. Fast forward to the creation of the internet and the smart phone and streaming. And now the restructuring of the entertainment business is accelerating the demise of the network TV and there is the unstoppable advance of AI. So you need to ask yourself every day - do you choose fear or hope? Will you be part of the problem or part of the solution? Technological change is in our DNA, and any fair assessment will conclude that overall, it's a benefit. So carve out your place, make it fork for you, or you will work for it. Because you are bullet proof. You can't make a storyteller in a lab. Your very essence, your human experience, your unique point of view and your particular voice is forever irreplaceable. The world desperately wants leaders. And you are in the right place at the right time with the right skills, so if not you, who? So go forth with unbridled optimism, tempered by practicality and fueled by passion. You are the storytellers. You are the connectors that bridge the divides of our culture and unites the human spirit. We need you. We are depending on you. And YOU, my fellow Bees, can do this! Congratulations Class of 2024, and thank you!" - Rob Lowe, PhD Class of 2024 Savannah College of Art and Design Congrats to the entire SCAD Class of 2024, I can't wait to see where we all go!
It was truly wonderful to be a part of this ceremony. I've gone ahead and transcribed Dr. Lowe's speech for anyone who may want a copy.
"The doctor’s in the house! Usually I play them on TV, now I am one.
Daniel thank you so much for that introduction, and that video clip was amazing, it was amazing. I wanna start by thanking President Wallace, the faculty, the staff, and the Bees for having me.
It’s an honor to celebrate the real stars, and that is you. And maybe, MAYBE the parents who might have written a few checks. God Bless you. But it's you who are the stars. You have shown the vision, the dedication, the perseverance, as well as your artistic integrity and you have LITERALLY passed the test, and today you graduate!
The world of jobs and next steps will be here soon enough. So I urge you - take a moment and celebrate this time with your friends and your family and the people that you love most. This is my first commencement speech, which reminds me that even after 48 years of doing this, there are still new experiences and new exciting things around the corner. Like all of you, I knew at a young age I wanted to be in the arts. Like most of you, I didn't have any connection to that world. I came from Ohio (Let's go Buckeyes!) and I had never really met anyone in show business, but I broke down the door anyway. And so will you!
From Broadway to TV, to movies, books, podcasts, even my own game show, I’ve found a way to build a career and a life beyond my dreams, and I’ve learned a lot along the way.
First of all, you have picked the most noble and valuable job that has ever existed. Whether you are an actor, a writer, a director, production designer, animator, editor, painter, first and foremost you’re a storyteller, and never forget that.
Imagine where we would be without great storytelling. I truly believe that we wouldn't be alive as a civilization without it. I mean, If you want to get your tribe of cavemen and women to migrate out of Africa, you better be able to communicate a really good story. So know who you are, and know what you are, at your essence, and value it. Believe in your mission, believe in your gifts, because if you don't, no one else is likely to either.
It's also critical to fish where the fish are, and by that I mean, be adaptive. Be flexible. Be prepared to course correct to new opportunities. You bang on one locked door long enough, look for another entrance. And for God’s sakes, when a new door opens, even if you don't know where it's gonna lead, walk through it. Never forget, never EVER forget that your greatest plans are small and insignificant compared to what God has planned for you. Also remember, it’s inspiration, not imitation. Seek out the great art, read the great books, watch the great shows, study the masters, be inspired by them, but never ever imitate them. There's only one Quentin Tarantino, we don't need a second. But there’s only one you. It’s your experience, it's your taste, it's your opinion, and your history that we desperately need.
I see a lot of artists, particularly writers, but it's true for everybody - they imitate a style. And a lot of times, it's unconscious, they're just doing their spin on something that they see commonly all around them. But I promise you that leads to a career of middling, forgettable mediocrity if you're lucky. So it's your unique point of view that’s your secret sauce, find it and protect it.
Which leads me to this: It’s collaboration, not subordination. You're young, you're inexperienced, you're a good person, you wanna please, you're a team player, as you should. Never ever stray away from that ethos. But I've seen so many young talents swallow their own instincts and their own tastes of what is of value as they work on a project because they think “well look I’m new, you know, and my collaborators, my bosses, they're experienced, they might even be experts”.
Well if that's true, there's nothing a real expert loves more than a good idea. So if you have one, very politely, and not defensively, fight for it. Because here's a dirty little secret from Hollywood. There are no brownie points in playing nice in failure. But there are huge brownie points in success, no matter what the process was like.
So when you get your shot, and you will, it may be the only one you get. And God forbid it doesn't work, go down swinging. Don't have a life long case of woulda, coulda, shoulda. There is no one size fits all plan for success. Each of you is going to have a different path, because as I've said, each of you has different special gifts. You didn't choose a career in finance or law. There's no conveyor belt of employment. You're gonna make this up as you go along, and that is one of the great joys. Enjoy it, say yes to any opportunity that comes your way. If you have any interest in it, I don't care if it's unpaid in a third world country making paintings only with the bodily fluids of others or acting with ancient aliens, say YES. You will gain experience and you cannot possibly know who you might meet because all careers, ALL careers, require some amount of luck. And luck comes from showing up.
Everyone knows we live in a moment of uncertainty, chaos, tremendous technological change that will make the industrial revolution look like a non-event. Don't be the dinosaur after the asteroid hit. Be the species that adapted. You have all the time to prepare.
Learn how to use new technology to your advantage, don’t stick your head in the sand, and wake up to a world where your competitors embraced and found a way to take advantage of change while you shook your fist at the sky in defense of art or anything else because for thousands of years, we discovered language, and the world changed. Next, we discovered writing, world changed again. We discovered film, and audiences were stunned to see the first movie of a train moving towards them in a screen and many of them fled in fear. We had silent films, and the silent film stars of that era who were world wide icons at the time - many disappeared overnight because they didn’t have the technique to speak compellingly on film.
Black and white movies gave way to color, then in a seismic shift, television arrived and by the 1950’s people were betting that movies would be obsolete within two decades. Fast forward to the creation of the internet and the smart phone and streaming. And now the restructuring of the entertainment business is accelerating the demise of the network TV and there is the unstoppable advance of AI. So you need to ask yourself every day - do you choose fear or hope? Will you be part of the problem or part of the solution?
Technological change is in our DNA, and any fair assessment will conclude that overall, it's a benefit. So carve out your place, make it fork for you, or you will work for it. Because you are bullet proof. You can't make a storyteller in a lab. Your very essence, your human experience, your unique point of view and your particular voice is forever irreplaceable.
The world desperately wants leaders. And you are in the right place at the right time with the right skills, so if not you, who? So go forth with unbridled optimism, tempered by practicality and fueled by passion. You are the storytellers. You are the connectors that bridge the divides of our culture and unites the human spirit. We need you. We are depending on you. And YOU, my fellow Bees, can do this! Congratulations Class of 2024, and thank you!"
- Rob Lowe, PhD
Class of 2024
Savannah College of Art and Design
Congrats to the entire SCAD Class of 2024, I can't wait to see where we all go!
Wonderful commencement speech by Rob Lowe 27:29
Yay! Congratulations🎉🎉🎉