Like everyone else I'm fascinated by Pixar and Apple and all those people. Astonishing creativity and ambition. But when I read stuff about them, or see video or whatever I never think - 'oh that's something I can learn from' or 'that's how I think about things'. They seem too impossibly good and unattainable. Too dedicated and focused and smart. I'm never going to be the Pixar of anything. But every time I see an interview with Kevin Smith I get incredibly inspired. It's not like I adore all his films, I've probably not seen all of them, there's parts of his aesthetic I don't like, but he always seems to talk so much sense. About creativity, making things, and the business and life of creativity and making things. I remember being so excited about a speech he did where he talked about just making movies with his friends and how that was a viable life/commercial choice. He says smart, interesting, common-sense stuff with a sort of practical idealism. Anyway, this metafilter post, links to the parts of a great interview with him. About movies, creative decisions, the good and bad of the internet, all sorts of stuff. It's v. good. And some of his films are really great too.
(The picture is not related in any way, I just like it.)