"We can't worry about competition. Besides, you aren't competing with anyone but yourself. They have nothing to do with whether you make a good movie or not"

The quote by Chris Wedge provides a profound perspective on the nature of competition, particularly in creative industries like filmmaking. On the surface area, it appears to suggest a termination of the external competitors typically inherent in any field, but a much deeper analysis exposes a more reflective and empowering message.

The very first part of the quote, "We can't stress over competitors", recommends individuals to shift their focus far from external competitors. This could be a call to action for filmmakers and developers to concentrate on what they can control-- their own work, vision, and craft-- rather than being extremely concerned about what others in their field are doing. Constantly comparing oneself to others can result in stress and anxiety and a potential compromise of one's initial concepts for the sake of outdoing competitors. Rather, Wedge recommends funneling that energy into one's own innovative process.

The latter part of the quote, "you aren't competing with anyone but yourself", indicates that personal growth and improvement should be the primary goals. This perspective promotes a state of mind of self-improvement and individual quality, motivating people to focus on making each job better than the last. It emphasizes the value of internal standards rather than external ones, prompting creators to determine success based upon individual growth and knowing rather than competition outcomes or distinctions.

Lastly, "They have nothing to do with whether you make an excellent film or not" underscores the concept that the quality of one's work is independent of the competition. This indicates that an excellent film, or any excellent innovative work, stands on its own merit, based on the creator's vision, effort, and execution, instead of how it compares to others. This approach fosters genuine self-expression and development, as creators are encouraged to produce work that is real to their private point of views and skills.

In summary, Chris Wedge's quote advocates a shift in focus from external competitors to internal development, highlighting the idea that real imagination and excellence develop from individual growth and dedication to one's craft. This viewpoint is important in helping people keep their imaginative integrity and produce work that authentically reflects their distinct vision.