Neil Gaiman - Inspirational Commencement Speech at the University of the Arts 2012

Neil Gaiman Addresses the University of the Arts Class of 2012
One of the best commencement speeches. A must watch for any artist and everyone who hopes to be creative and successful.
Make Good Art.

[@linesyverinsen9215]

"People will tolerate how unpleasant you are, if your work is good and you deliver it on time. People will forgive the lateness of your work if it's good and they like you. And you don't have to be as good as everyone else if you're on time and it's always a pleasure to hear from you."

[@just-her-author5635]

I met him once getting some books signed. I gushed to him about how his work on making LGBT characters visible, especially the fact the first transwoman I ever read about was in his comics and I knew in my heart she had always been a girl....made me feel seen. Then I said I wanted to be a writer...he shook my hand and said he couldn''t wait to read my work.

[@dawid4211]

G writer

[@yumichan15]

When you realize; he has written novels, children's books, comics, recorded audio books, and wrote 2 episodes of doctor who

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

, you become aware of your uncompleted sentence.

[@phantomapprentice6749]

By now when it comes to screenwriting he did much more than just 2 episodes of Dr.Who.

[@sean9816]

@@Captain_MonsterFart "Incompleted"

[@raw_dah]

@@sean9816 *incomplete, the action never got finished so don't end with "ed". *incomplete

[@sean9816]

@@raw_dahI always finish my action, completely. Tx teach. You're correct

[@realm316]

"The Moment you are walking down the street naked, exposing too much of your art and your mind and what exists on the inside, showing too much of yourself, that is the moment that you may be starting to get it right." - That's amazing

[@AshleyistheGOAT]

That was my favorite part ❤️

[@randompersonontheinterweb]

I didn’t realized how much I needed to hear this

[@soularwave]

@11:52 your *heart* and your mind

[@maikenelissen3767]

Problem is that's the moment you probably shy away from the most.

[@Himani_inamiH]

He speaks like he writes like the way he changes volumes and emphasis on words he sounds like he is narrating not just talking

[@leau3199]

well he *is* reading from a pre-written script

[@oldgit4260]

l'eau and he's full of shit

[@clarastevens6576]

Rory Guitar great now you get to where he is in life and then you can say that.

[@douglasdiggins8296]

@@clarastevens6576 i dont agree with the guy you replied to, but you cant use appeal to authority to argue a point. Just saying.

[@clarastevens6576]

Douglas Diggins ok well I’ve never heard of the guy writing that comment whereas Neil Gaiman is a published author with an astonishing plethora of books.

[@clarennhalee]

"Leave the world more interesting for your being here."

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

I have lived my creative life as this man proposes and I have found in this all the things he says are there

[@PLOJ]

hey david love your vids and pictures you post!

[@cr8cat794]

I feel lucky to be alive at the same time as Neil Gaiman.

[@shaymaaabusalih9580]

I never imagined the "professionally replying to email" bit would hit me like a bucket of cold water. I remember watching this when I was in high school, thinking that would never be me. But last year, I looked up from my computer at work, and tried to figure out why I felt so lousy. Why it felt so wrong. One year later, I'm unemployed, and have completed a manuscript I never thought would survive my daydreams. It's a precarious place to be in, but it feels like home. Onto the next step! Thank you, Neil.

[@Toporshik]

Good luck to you! I hope it will all work out!

[@ondox]

Did you get it published?

[@niharikamanjunath]

I feel like he took everything that was going on in my brain-all the doubts and insecurities about art and creativity- worded them beautifully and said them back to me. All I could think of was- he gets me. *He gets me.* The bit about the message in the bottle is so true. And of course, make good art.

[@groovydeath]

I love this man so dearly. What an excellent beautiful soul.

[@oldgit4260]

Sonia Grodzka you're thinking of Alan Moore, not this fake

[@Azori10]

Do you think the same after 2 years?

[@spiderjerusalem4009]

@@oldgit4260 wow ok

[@shad9674]

That second to last bit about gatekeepers leaving their gates, in the context of 2012, makes me so damn sad. 7 years later, every path the internet had to offer, every freedom and empowerment it started giving artists all over the world, is now run by giant platforms and their dehumanizing algorithms. It doesn't take back any quality of this insanely good, profound, human speech, but man. I hope the corporate social media age is one that will end soon. I miss the collective excitement over what internet used to make possible for individuals. That said, back to making art !

[@WilliamGMedinaGIO]

Great speech. I don't follow this guy's work religiously or anything, but man, what a great speech. :) Whenever I'm doubting myself, I throw this video on, and I'm back on it. He's a very wise man.

[@olivergehrmann6535]

I've read everything he's published; he's my favorite author and I'm 100% with you. I've watched this video a number of times and forwarded it often and I always get positive responses. In fact, I should be getting back to work just now. ^^

[@zdanlins]

Same here, man

[@fsdfasdfasdfsdf]

I heard this back in 2014 for the first time. 6 years later I still come back for some guidance and words of wisdom. I am glad I'm not the only one

[@paulabee81]

Same... Freelancing for 10 years now as a writer and I come back here every so often for inspiration.

[@larsscholz3762]

"He's a very wise man" - Yeah, or is he just very good in pretending to be a very wise man? ;-) If you think it through, there is no difference, but you think it's easier the latter way. That's the genious in it.

[@MrsWackyJaqi]

Neil Gaiman always talks about a distant mountain.

[@KaityKat117]

the thing about a distant mountain is even when you've climbed up the foothills, it still looks like a distant mountain. The only ones who can accurately judge your ascent are those looking from elsewhere. You're too close to tell.

[@doubletrouble5448]

I’ve recently found Neil Gaiman because we’re reading his book on Norse Mythology in language arts class. I’m very glad I’ve found him, and I’m excited to read more of his work.

[@billjitsu]

This is one of the best speeches I've ever heard.

[@fsdfasdfasdfsdf]

Its been 6 years since I first heard this speech. My life got tough at that moment, but I always remembered his advice. Time took its sting away and things got better, whenever I had doubts, or worried too much about the future or keeping the good things I had going around, I tried to follow his advice, and enjoy the ride. I have his voice in my head telling me: "This is really great, you should enjoy this" and he always manages to help me see the good stuff behind the problems of success. Totally, one of the best pieces of advice I have ever gotten.

[@Shahablo]

Hey, how are you these days?

[@funkyspiderhat9006]

This is the most important video I think I've ever watched.

[@seppuku-]

Me too. I related to every word, I’m not even being cliche I had to pause this video.

[@EvelynBaron]

Neil Gaiman always a pleasure one of this world's brilliant souls who also happens to be one of those humans of immense good will. A treasure ... his books helped me through good times and bad.

[@omowako]

This is such an old video but...I'm a high-school senior about to graduate. I have my dream university offer that I feel like I shouldn't have gotten and Neil Gaiman talking about imposter syndrome felt so close to heart. His lessons so worthwhile. I hope I don't forget them in the next four years.

[@zoopothecary]

Congrats, I hope it’s going well. I’ve rewatched this video at least once a year for the past 6 years and each time I am inspired anew but notice areas of life where I’ve been forgetting these lessons. I’m happy to report though that each year I do better, and these days I feel more comfortable in my own skin than I have since I was a kid.

[@TANTRUMrecordsUK]

this video inspired me so much i just made a potato painting

[@ianjones9961]

A painting of a potato, or a potato imbued with the will and ability to paint?

[@marychristie4815]

Or a painting on a potato?

[@midnight-marshmallows-for-5863]

or a painting using a potato

[@ivoryspade4099]

Or a potato using a painting

[@Seekingwildbeauty]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jennyjube]

best bit "Be wise, because the world needs more wisdom. If you cannot be wise, pretend to be someone who is wise and just behave like they would."

[@MelanieWalby]

I have to listen to this once a year and it holds up every time for a different reason.

[@aebbinge]

I don't think this is just for artists, it's for everybody. Everything can be art and if you make a mistake, you did something diffrent from last time. I love the speech!

[@user-fu4fq9cj8x]

why am i crying in the club rn

[@Pinguinpullover]

I have returned to this time and again, it´s a lifeline for me, something that reminds me of my goals, my shortcomings, my abilities and my never ending journey to do things I never did before. "Make Good Art" - makes me weep like a child, every time. It is so true.

[@basseartist]

I still come back to this speech for inspiration :)

[@thecrazyandthewild]

"...and I knew that as long as I kept walking towards the mountain, I'd be alright"

[@SaltAddictMUGEN]

This speech always motivates me and cheers me up whenever I'm feeling down!

[@kyperoonie]

My Son graduated in this class and it was a thrill to be there to hear Neil's Speech... The class was encouraged to decorate their hats and gowns as they wanted, and as far as the hair... well it is an art school! lol

[@Django44]

IMHO one of the most moving, inspirational and thought-provoking commencement addresses of all time. Refreshingly, Neil talks in plain language, avoiding the cant used by others who do the same job. He speaks from his own world of experience and avoids moralizing. We feel invited to sit with him and have a chat; we are not preached to from 'on high'. He cast aside any thoughts of smug superiority and spoke eloquently and honestly from his heart. Thank you Neil. This address was a gift.

[@lilypendragon6624]

The first time I heard this; I dropped to my knees and WEPT. THIS IS TRUTH.

[@tofjip]

He kind of looks and sounds like Severus Snape.

[@EmiTheLoomistar]

+TheLumpyHeavy :'C

[@MrsWackyJaqi]

+TheLumpyHeavy Alan Rickman is a cool man, like Neil. Both cool men.

[@groovydeath]

+TheLumpyHeavy >imblying Alan Rickman wasn't a hot babe

[@bodhinature]

British man in robes. Checks out.

[@nladpro]

Who knows he might have inspired that character? Or the film variant thereof?

[@ramansehgal3571]

Thank you Tim Ferris for mentioning this again and again on his podcast... I got here in the end. And it was well worth it :)

[@BodyBird]

Makes me smile, because he's done, all of that.

[@Eowynnofrohan]

I was feeling discouraged because of a post on tumblr that was disparaging to following your dreams. I posted, "I will make life work for me if it's the last thing I do" and a friend on tumblr, who knew I was a writer, sent me this. Inspired me to push forward.

[@SusaraPhillips]

"I love him for what he was, for who he is, and for who he yet may be."

[@chickennuggets353]

Most inspiring speech I've ever heard! Gaiman gained a new fan her.

[@Grinchdom]

Omg, I'm so glad I've heard this speech now. I am not an artist of any kind and yet I am stuck with something I need to do. This is so inspirational! I guess I am going to pretend I am someone who knows how to proceed and will act like them. In the end, anything we produce can be a good art, can't it?

[@bartholomew1212]

yup

[@ELJoseNova]

Through all my trials and tribulations. Making good art saved me

[@jwolfling]

A Pandemic rampaging through the current world.. ..make good art :)

[@roshithesayian6801]

*You almost certainly need to watch this*. If you think you're the kind of person who *doesn't need to watch a talk with the heading 'make good art'*

[@ijebusjebus]

Most of us only find our own voices after we've sounded like a lot of other people. But the one thing that you have that nobody else has is You - your voice, your mind, your story, your vision.

[@stuffguy6664]

a legit fantastic person a nature story teller. His voice is so hypnotic and one of a kind.

[@RainaRamsay]

I come back here and rewatch this every time I recommend it to someone else, and it makes my life much better to have done so

[@discount_mpdg]

dropping out of college this semester bc it’s just not working out and this made me feel wholly, and completely, and totally better about it

[@GoranofallTrades]

"People who know what they're doing, know the rules and they know what is possible and what is impossible; you do not and you should not. The rules on what is possible and impossible in the arts were made by people who had not tested the bounds of possible by going beyond them, and you can. If you don't know it's impossible, it's easier to do. And because nobody's done it before, they haven't made up rules to stop anyone from doing that particular thing again." "I tended to do everything as long as it felt like an adventure and to stop when it felt like work. Which meant that life did not feel like work." I just had to write down these two somewhere.

[@jjmichaud471]

And now its the apple commerical

[@Ivykyrn]

I revisit this every so often. Just remember to pretend that your somebody who does something and do what they would do.

[@isamuhammad5671]

Never heard of this writer before, but after listening to this I had to learn more. He has a spiritual foundation which is my attraction. Beautiful Words !!

[@paradoxalmess7027]

i don't have enough time to watch the whole thing but i just can't skip because every sentence he says is a fricking gem

[@nandakishoren2138]

WOW! ... W-O-W! ... W-O-AAA-W! Incredibly inspiring and thought provoking and so inimitably contemporary

[@angharadrees4813]

"Make Good Art" - flipping awesome!

[@Anonim7242]

"If you are not what you want to be, then pretend to be someone who is that and behave as they would."

[@princessthyemis]

Listening to this makes me wants to read Neverwhere again

[@ladystellawords]

What an inspiring speech! The wisdom in every sentence is profound and clear as crystalline water..."mistakes" are the essence of being is extraordinary. And he is English and I have cross his pathways many times over...just amazing how life is mysterious. Coraline was a misspelling wow.

[@AnnoulaXeni]

His 'rule of two out of three' is something you can bank on. What a valuable bit of advice! What a wonderful speech.

[@murasaki848]

Excellent commencement. For those who enjoyed this, I recommend looking up the "9 Life Lessons" commencement speech by Tim Minchin at the University of Western Australia.

[@karanjotsingh1873]

Why is he such a nice person I get a aura a knowledge and experience from him .... he is a very interesting person

[@jacegerard8343]

Anyone else choose to write on this for a school assignment?? I had the option to choose a speech by Obama, but this was on the list too. I'm glad I chose it because I am a fan of Neil Gaiman, thanks to my mom raising me.

[@udornyc]

This is so inspiring and reflecting my own, decades long journey as a self taught photographer and surrealist painter! While watching/listening to this speech, my eyes glanced several times over my canvas, stored on the top of a bookshelf, underpainting done, but waiting to be completed into a painting for almost 10months... Thank you Peter Shev for sharing this remarkable speech... :)

[@DebraAJason]

That was so beautiful & poignant. I especially liked "I learned to write by writing," "When things go wrong, do what only you can do best, make good art...the only thing you have that no one else has, is you," and, "Pretend you're someone who can do it."

[@aarondavis5604]

I heard this speech in 2012 and to this day there are 6 or 7 things he mentioned in this video that I still do. I have to come back to listen at least once or twice a year. This is easily my favorite speech of all time. Just sit back and enjoy this ♥️

[@AntonioGazzaneo91]

this makes me want to invent a lot of things, to create art, thanks neil

[@NiallMor]

Brilliant! I'm trying to write something now, not for publication necessarily, but just to see if I can turn a jumble of ideas into a finished story. This is the kind of inspiration I need.

[@walterreally]

I don't see what is so great about this speech that it made you cry.

[@DemiImp]

10:47 - the inspiration to Exploding Kittens

[@nirau]

I'm so grateful that i found this speech. Totally made my day. Gonna revisit it sometime for sure.

[@sharpeslass5452]

I love that man.

[@JIYkp]

10:20 MAKE GOOD ART

[@barbarathulin8263]

I cannot watch and listen to this speech enough! What a gift!! It has given me so much peace with my creative quest with my art and Decadent Digs. It is a must watch and feel profoundly blessed sharing this on my Facebook~! You Rock Neil!!!

[@angliase]

Barbara Thulin

[@KlausBeckEwerhardy]

One of the best and most important speeches at all.

[@princessthyemis]

I LOVE THIS SPEECH, THIS MAN AND HIS BOOKS

[@dawoodmarion]

Beautiful to tears!!!!

[@slayerkhan]

I tell the kids at school something like that all the time...think about the person you want to be and make your decisions as if you were that person. Eventually you won't have to think about it at all, you'll be that person.

[@titanicsmusic]

so inspiring, I always come back to this. what a king.

[@Vinicius777]

he's just awesome ... it's always good to hear good advices like these and Neil really do magic putting those advices in his own words!

[@anildamodaran]

Thank you for posting this video. Truly inspirational.

[@Godeiche]

I love this man and his work. Wish I had a fraction of his talent.

[@infdaysofgold]

I love this! Thank you!

[@readysethydroponics]

Love this guy, his books are amazing!

[@dawoodmarion]

Beautiful beyond words. I teared up listening to this multiple times. Thanks Neil!

[@diannesison]

Thank you for reviving the artist in me and for that fantastic speech. RESPECT.

[@shrotcake]

He was already my favourite author, now I love him even more now. Such an inspiration.

[@MichelleZimmerman]

I've watched this about 5 times in the last 2 days!

[@SelenaKareena]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this. All Artists need to hear this! Thanks so much for sharing this!

[@elementalemcee]

Absolutely perfect. Having just started the journey towards that mountain, I can attest to it all.

[@LuxBellator92]

One of the best commencement speeches I've seen. Truly inspiring. You are a maestro, Gaiman.

[@WendyFedan]

I could watch this a million times and never tire of it. I want to memorize this whole thing :) SO thankful for this video.

[@stevekopacka893]

He is an amazing writer!

[@momon8738]

You know from the way he spoke/narrated on masterclass ad, even before the content of the class, he already attracted me to attend his class

[@aamirafzal3992]

wooow....that speech must have inspired so many people across the globe for sure. Amazing Neil Gaiman

[@fredericasteller7280]

I love this dude! I appreciate his candid, inspirational encouragement!

[@TimHulmePhoto]

Just brilliant, from goosebumps to the point of tears!

[@ClintHollingsworth]

What a great speech. Going to bookmark this one.

[@pamelaparkergannon5801]

WOW - what an inspiration! I love him as an writer!

[@garyapple]

I find myself watching this speech over and over again. It never fails to move and inspire me.

[@rahul6075]

From the bottom of my heart, Thank You! Grateful to you for your decision to take your time out to share your priceless experience!

[@theFNDCdotcom]

I love the analogy of the mountain. Perfect.

[@fiddlefan8958]

I have recommended this speech to dozens of my hypnosis clients. I actually extracted an MP3 so I could listen on my phone during my daily commute.

[@cchapman1896]

This is so good! He has such a hopeful outlook on a life in the arts and listening to this spreads it around!