Making a movie on credit cards and bombing your first screening doesn’t sound like the origin story of a film legend, but Kevin Smith, the mind behind Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob, and Dogma (recently released in 4K for the film’s 25th anniversary) did exactly that before shooting to stardom.

Sometimes, success takes an unorthodox path, and reflecting back on his journey, Smith has an unconventional pearl of wisdom: Be a little delusional. Or, in his words, have a reasonable amount of unreasonability.

0:00 The First to Stand

0:16 A reasonable amount of unreasonability

0:34 The Kevin Smith Cinematic Universe

1:55 Kevin’s origin story

2:36 A $27,575 mistake?

3:21 A cognitive reframe

4:37 From an empty theater to Sundance

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About Kevin Smith:

Kevin Smith is an American filmmaker and actor. Smith rose to fame with the release of his irreverent low-budget comedy film Clerks, and became a household name with movies like Chasing Amy, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Dogma, and more. In celebration of Dogma's 25th anniversary, the film was recently re-released in 4k