Digital Social Hour: How Failure Fueled My First Scripted Film Success | Rory Karpf DSH #1205
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Rory Karpf, Director of Grace Point
Release Date: February 26, 2025
Introduction
In episode #1205 of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly engages in a deep and candid conversation with Rory Karpf, the director of his first scripted film, Grace Point. The episode, titled "How Failure Fueled My First Scripted Film Success," delves into Rory's journey from facing setbacks to achieving success in the competitive world of filmmaking. The discussion offers invaluable insights into overcoming fear of failure, embracing discomfort, and the transformative power of vulnerability.
Rory’s Journey into Scripted Filmmaking
Rory Karpf shares his transition from documentary and sports filmmaking to scripted films. His initial foray into scripted cinema with a project titled Mercy Falls faced significant hurdles, primarily due to its expansive budget and ambitious scope. "So like most things in Hollywood, it just kind of languishes for a while, looks, and then it just goes away," Rory explains (02:13). This setback led him to rethink his approach, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which unexpectedly became a catalyst for his success.
Notable Quote:
"Once you have that spark and you follow it, just. Things start to steamroll after that." — Rory Karpf (02:13)
Creating Grace Point: Embracing Failure and Rewriting Success
During the pandemic, while filming in Laurenberg, North Carolina, Rory's Director of Photography suggested reworking Mercy Falls into a new setting. This led Rory to rewrite the script from scratch in just a week, culminating in the production of Grace Point by June 2021. Rory emphasizes the importance of acting swiftly on creative impulses: "That's how quickly it came together. So, I mean, once. Once you have that spark and you follow it, just. Things start to steamroll after that." (02:13)
The Fear of Failure and Embracing Discomfort
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the fear of failure. Rory contrasts his fearlessness with Sean's initial fear of failure due to past bullying. Rory recounts his experience stepping into the UFC cage, despite having no athletic ability, which became a metaphor for resilience: "Life's gonna kick your ass sometimes, but it's like if you could just stand there and just keep taking the punches." (05:18)
Notable Quote:
"Life's gonna kick your ass sometimes, but it's like if you could just stand there and just keep taking the punches." — Rory Karpf (05:18)
Vulnerability and Personal Growth
Rory delves into the significance of vulnerability, sharing personal anecdotes about overcoming childhood trauma and the impact of opening up. He narrates an incident on the set of Grace Point where an actor's inappropriate comment triggered his unresolved feelings from his past. By making himself vulnerable, Rory was able to diffuse the tension and foster a respectful environment: "So I made myself vulnerable telling him this. I opened up about something with my childhood, so he felt bad." (16:51)
Notable Quote:
"If you're struggling in high school, that might be a good sign because that means you might peak in your 20s, 30s. That's a better time." — Rory Karpf (30:29)
Building Relationships and Treating Everyone Equally
Rory emphasizes the importance of treating everyone with respect, regardless of their status. Whether dealing with seasoned actors like Shaquille O'Neal or newcomers, Rory maintains a humble approach: "I try to treat everybody the same. I give people respect, but I demand it back when I'm dealing with someone." (10:42)
Impact of Success on Personal Life
The discussion transitions to how success influences personal relationships and ego. Rory reflects on his friendships, such as with actor Luke Perry, and how personal tragedies can lead to positive outcomes. He shares a heartwarming story of meeting his wife through a mutual friend after Luke Perry's untimely death: "So we wound up getting lunch together and then we went to his memorial together in LA. I asked. She wasn't gonna go because she had to work. I kind of convinced her to go, and then we've been together ever since." (37:43)
Maintaining Humility Amid Success
Rory attributes his ability to stay grounded to his focus on storytelling rather than personal accolades. He acknowledges the challenges of fame and fortune but stresses the importance of staying true to one's values: "I hate myself, so that hasn't been, that hasn't been that difficult. I, I've always tried to stay humble." (40:20)
Notable Quote:
"We're telling stories and playing pretend. I used to do that with, like, my He-Man action figures as a kid." — Rory Karpf (41:35)
Conclusion: Lessons Learned from Failure and Success
In wrapping up, Rory encourages embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. He underscores the importance of resilience, staying true to one's passions, and the value of authentic connections: "If you have a heartbeat, you have hope." (34:42)
Sean and Rory reinforce the idea that personal growth often stems from overcoming adversity and that maintaining humility and genuine relationships is key to lasting success. The episode serves as an inspiring testament to how confronting and embracing failure can lead to profound achievements and personal fulfillment.
Key Takeaways
- Embrace Failure: Failure is an inevitable part of the creative process and can be a powerful catalyst for growth.
- Act Quickly on Opportunities: When inspiration strikes, swift action can lead to unexpected successes.
- Vulnerability Strengthens Relationships: Opening up about personal struggles fosters deeper connections and understanding.
- Maintain Humility: Success should not overshadow one's core values and respect for others.
- Resilience is Crucial: Continually pushing through discomfort and setbacks leads to long-term achievements.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- "Once you have that spark and you follow it, just. Things start to steamroll after that." — Rory Karpf (02:13)
- "Life's gonna kick your ass sometimes, but it's like if you could just stand there and just keep taking the punches." — Rory Karpf (05:18)
- "If you're struggling in high school, that might be a good sign because that means you might peak in your 20s, 30s. That's a better time." — Rory Karpf (30:29)
- "If you have a heartbeat, you have hope." — Rory Karpf (34:42)
- "We're telling stories and playing pretend. I used to do that with, like, my He-Man action figures as a kid." — Rory Karpf (41:35)
Listen to the full episode here.