Writing goals as actionable tasks

Cruise mapped out his filmmaking dreams by writing goals, then listing the specific skills he needed to learn to accomplish each one.

“you write a goal, and then you write underneath, what are those things you need to learn to be able to accomplish those goals?”

Studying films to learn the craft

He would learn new skills and apply them in his work. He studied how other movies used camera placement, lenses, lighting, and set architecture.

Adults dismissed his teenage ambitions

Cruise was passionate about filmmaking as a teenager but stopped sharing his dreams after adults dismissed him as just a kid. He never let go of them.

“I'm a CEO of my life, I know the dreams that I want”

Every career move was calculated

His decisions to film in Prague and China, and to work with Ridley Scott in England, were deliberate choices to seize opportunities, not accidents.

“not happenstance”

High standards for himself and others

Cruise is upfront about expecting high standards from collaborators. He confirmed the rumors about his demanding work ethic are true.

“The rumors are true”

Still pushing after four decades

At 64, Cruise remains driven to make each film better. He once forced studios to send him abroad so he could learn how films were made in different countries.

“Life, I'm coming right at it”