Failure Builds Character - Mythbusters' Adam Savage

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/05/30/MythBuster_Adam_Savages_Colossal_Failures

MythBusters co-host Adam Savage describes the life lesson he learned after a job from his early days as a set designer went horribly awry and ruined a friendship.

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The 4th annual Maker Faire Bay Area hosts MythBusters co-host Adam Savage. Savage talks about failure - unmitigated, colossal failures he's experienced during his career.

Following on President Obama's call to "begin again the work of remaking America," Maker Faire 2009 was organized around the theme of Re-Make America. Held in the San Francisco Bay Area, Maker Faire celebrates what President Obama called "the risk takers, the doers, and the makers of things."

Adam Savage has spent his life gathering skills that allow him to take what's in his brain and make it real. He's built everything from ancient Buddhas to futuristic weapons, from spaceships to dancing vegetables, from fine art sculptures to animated chocolate and just about anything else you can think of.

Since 1993, Adam has concentrated on the special-effects industry, honing his skills through more than 100 television commercials and a dozen feature films, including Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Galaxy Quest, Terminator 3, A.I. and the Matrix sequels. He's also designed props and sets for Coca-Cola, Hershey's, Lexus and a host of New York and San Francisco theater companies. Not only has he worked and consulted in the research and development division for toy companies and made several short films, but Adam has also acted in several films and commercials -- including a Charmin ad, in which he played Mr. Whipple's stock boy, and a Billy Joel music video, "Second Wind," in which he drowns.

Today, in addition to co-hosting Discovery Channel's MythBusters, Adam teaches advanced model making, most recently in the industrial design department at the San Francisco Academy of Art. Somehow he also finds time to devote to his own art. His sculptures have been showcased in over 40 shows in San Francisco, New York and Charleston, W.Va.

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• tv
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[JJR93]

It's comforting to hear someone famous whom I positively revere own up to their own all too human failings, and be able to chalk it up to lessons learned...

[soundscapenyc]

one must fail, even miserably sometimes, in order to succeed.

[Dlanodak47]

you should do some stand up adam you so funny but so true

[TheThunderToad]

wow it takes a man to be that deeply honest!

[TheGeneralCritic]

Trial and error is one of the most powerful forces for positive change in the world.

[rodrigojoseunb]

I like that guy.

[DrakeMagnum]

This is a terrific speech from Adam. I'm impressed with his maturity and sincerity.

[nhonho23]

@bananian

He is very vague about it- he didn't do several things that he was supposed to do. But it REALLY REALLY doesn't matter. Pay attention to the lesson.

[bananian]

I don't get what is it that he screwed up?

[TAz69x]

@soundscapenyc Sometimes being a constant failure brings you success... like Justin Bieber

o.O

[Nitzleplick]

Failure is normal, and Adam is a tremendously awesome person for owing up to them. Though I don't think that the Theatre job was largely his fault. Working for days without sleep, he doesn't ask for help.. so noone helps? he didnt make the meeting so noone will? it was a favor not a job, he was not getting paid. So they don't take responsibility for anything, blame it on the art director who had to do EVERYTHING with no budget and no experience. The woman sounds like a horrible person.