Profound Advice with Dennis Hopper

It was a very hot opening day at the 10th CineVegas Anniversary Film Festival. Photographers and crews lined the red carpet in position for the CineVegas executives including Dennis Hopper and the cast from Peter Cattaneo’s The Rocker starring Rainn Wilson, Emma Stone, and Jane Lynch.

Our goal ...It was a very hot opening day at the 10th CineVegas Anniversary Film Festival. Photographers and crews lined the red carpet in position for the CineVegas executives including Dennis Hopper and the cast from Peter Cattaneo’s The Rocker starring Rainn Wilson, Emma Stone, and Jane Lynch.

Our goal was clear that evening. It was to get a glimpse into Dennis Hopper’s psyche and heart. Success comes in many forms. No one can ever argue Dennis’s success as an actor, director, artist and Chair of the CineVegas Creative Advisory Board. We were filled with anticipation of what profound advice he would give. There he was, looking cool, calm, and debonair even in the scorching heat of the Las Vegas desert. There is something about Dennis that just draws you in. Makes you want to admire him from afar- almost like one of his pieces of art.

It was the first time meeting the Hopper. Even after hundreds of celebrity interviews there is still that unknowing in the back of our minds. Will they be approachable? Will they want to give their words of wisdom? What will they be like? Ahhh, what a relief! Mr. Hopper did not disappoint. He came through 110%
and blew us away!

We asked Dennis what words of inspiration could he give. With kind intensity in his eyes he paused and recited an entire poem!
“I’ve always liked If by Rudyard Kipling . It starts out”…

If you can keep your head when all about you men are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you but make allowances for their doubting, too.

If you can wait but not be tired of waiting, or being lied about, don't deal in lies, or being hated, don't give way to hating, and yet don't look too good nor talk too wise,

If you can dream but not make dreams your master,

If you can think and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet with triumph and disaster, and treat those two imposters just the same,

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, or watch the things you gave your life to broken, and stoop and build them up with worn-out tools,

If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch and toss, and lose and start again at your beginnings and never breathe a word about your loss,

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone, and to hold on when there is nothing in you but the will that says to them "hold on,"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you but none too much,

If you can fill the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, and which is more, you'll be a man, my son.

Or a woman in your case. (Referring to Maria)

We would have given this man a standing ovation if we weren’t already standing. There are many cliche things that he could have said. For example, “don’t give up”, or “just believe in yourself”. Although these are always good to hear, it meant the world to us that he took more than a few seconds in the unbearable heat to give his profound advice and encouragement.
We have heard this poem before, however, it has new meaning to us. Something that we will remember for the rest of our lives.

This is dedicated to the people who have felt beaten and needed some courage to get back up. To those who have felt lost but somehow found the way again. We thank you Mr. Hopper for showing us that you truly are a gentleman,indeed!

This video interview or other celebrity “Profound Advice” interviews can be viewed at www.SuccessShowcase.com