Award-winning actor, film producer, and director, Robert De Niro tells graduates at Tisch School of the Arts that they are f*cked, and in coping with rejection, "Valium and Vicodin work," during the commencement exercises held on May 22 at Madison Square Garden.
He then got into a more serious tone, adding, "I don't know, you can't be too relaxed and do what we do. And you don't wanna block the pain too much. Without the pain, what will we talk about?"
The two-time Oscar winner stressed out in his keynote speech that being rejected is nothing personal. "On this day of triumphantly graduating, a new door is opening for you -a door of lifetime rejection. It can be nothing but the director having a different type in mind," he said as encouragement to the art school graduates.
The actor, who has worked with different award-winning directors, including Tisch alumnus, Martin Scorsese in films like Taxi Driver and Goodfellas, shared he has also been rejected many times. "Rejection might sting," he said, but he explained that this decision should be understood and respected.
At the end, it's all about the artistic vision of the people behind the project, like the directors, producers and choreographers.
Instead of robes and hats the graduates sported, De Niro visualized them wearing a t-shirt that says "Rejection, it isn't personal" at the back. The front should have the word 'Next!' strewn across it, which according to De Niro, should be every artist's battle cry.
In choosing the field of arts, the actor said that doing their best may not be good enough sometiimes, but they will definitely be okay.
"You'll probably be harder on yourself than any director. I'm not gonna tell you to go easy on yourself. I assume you didn't pick this life because you thought it would be easy."
The actor also shared the pieces of advice he gave his kids like clichés "don't be afraid to fail" and "if you don't go, you'll never know."
Watch Robert De Niro's speech here:
