Do What You Have Promised To Do

Do What You Have Promised To Do

Do What You Have Promised To Do

Göran Johansson
Göran Johansson
a month ago

If you have visited my profile, you have presumably noticed where I live. So I want to give you a very Swedish piece of advice.

Here in Sweden, we are sometimes reminded of Swedes who are popular in Hollywood. You may know about Greta Garbo, Alexander Skarsgård, Ingrid Bergman, Dolph Lundgren, and Alicia Vikander. Or heard about other Swedes in Hollywood. So, how do you become popular?

You may at first find it odd that we Swedes can be popular abroad. I have myself encountered the opinion "you Swedes are so honest that you are impolite". As a native Swede, I am not offended by such opinions, which tells something about the mentality in my country.

We have an expression which in English translation becomes "the law of Jante". It means that one should never assume that one is better than other persons. Don't pretend. Like many other Swedes, I am alarmed when somebody likes the rule "fake it until you make it".

Researchers have asked people in different countries about their willingness to trust strangers. My country is one of the few at the top of such comparisons.

Hollywood knows that in order to create good movies, you need teamwork. Good teamwork means that one must be able to trust individual members of the team. So, some employers appear to have noticed that we Swedes have a large tendency not to promise more than we can deliver.

So... do what you have promised to do.

Do What You Have Promised To Do

Unselfishness will be good for your career

Yes, I encourage you to promise yourself to be a nice person and help others.

Far from all of your competitors realize that they should follow that rule. I have myself told some other members here, "I am willing to read your screenplay, but it may take a few days". Then they didn't send their screenplay because they were so used to people who don't do what they promise that they assumed that I was one more such person.

Do what you have promised to do, instead of using AI or other tools to pretend to be helpful. Trying to fool others is actually worse than not doing anything at all. When others stop communicating with you, you should realize that fooling others means that you are fooling yourself.

I have myself read two different AI-generated reviews of my most recent screenplay. Plus one AI-generated review of the logline. Appeared well written, but we humans are quickly learning to recognize how AI writes. So if you try to fool others, those you pretend to help will realize it. They will not like it, because it means that you do something else than you promised to do. So they can't trust you.

And do it as soon as possible. Don't be one of those who procrastinate. Those who ask for your help may be in a hurry, even if they don't say so. So it may be better for them if you say "next week", and then they ask somebody else, than if you say "tomorrow" and then procrastinate until next week.

Neither should you be lazy when you do what you promised to do. If you promise to write comments on a screenplay, it is of no good if you simply write "I (don't) like it." Your comments will only help the writer if your suggestions help to write a better version of that screenplay.

If people remind you that you have not yet delivered, that means that your help is of little value. Shame on you. Because if your help is of little value, you should learn to say no. Saying no is more helpful than false promises.

And when you help others, remember that the normal thing is that you receive something in return. On this website, few people are able to pay you, but doing you a favor is normal.

So do what you have promised to do. And expect others to treat you in a fair way.

Do What You Have Promised To Do

It will help you to volunteer

Will that behavior really help you? If you help other filmmakers in an unselfish way, in all probability, some of them will later have money to spend on their next project and remember that your earlier help was very useful. Great for your career.

Volunteer when somebody asks to read their screenplay. Spend a few hours giving comments that help the screenwriter to revise. It will help you to improve your own screenwriting.

Volunteer when others ask for crew members for their no-budget film. You will learn a lot from seeing how filmmaking in practice works.

Volunteer when others ask for an actor for their no-budget film. It will make it easier for you to describe characters in your screenplay.

About my own experiences from volunteering. An NGO once needed a volunteer who was willing to attend a meeting with local politicians. Expecting nothing special, I volunteered. Afterwards, I had 5,000 dollars for documentary filmmaking.

Another of my experiences. The photo in my profile is of me receiving a prize for best directing. I noticed a few people filming. So I said, "Your camcorder is more expensive than mine". I was told that the person they were waiting for was delayed. I volunteered to do what ought to have been done by the missing person. A few years later, a surprise phone call. Then, a visit to Stockholm to receive that prize.

Yes, it makes me uncomfortable when people refuse to understand what is best for them to do. People who believe that selfishness and lies are best for their career. But such people only fool themselves. They fool themselves because others understand that they are hopeless to collaborate with. So those who are sitting on the money say no.

And before you start following my advice, please think about yourself. What are you good at doing? Respectively, what are you no good at? Help with what you can help with, but don't create problems by doing something that will not work. I gladly explain to people what it will cost them in time and money to film their script, but if somebody asks for help with music, I will explain that I am almost tone deaf.

Do What You Have Promised To Do

But sometimes you should say no

But I don't say that you should always promise to help. Parasites exist. Those who refuse to give something in return. So before you promise to help, think carefully. If you feel that you have encountered a person who deserves no help, say no.

I sometimes say no. Instead, I may start a short and trivial discussion about what is best to do. There are people with such grandiose plans that there is good reason to tell them how problematic their visions are.

So if you ask me for comments on your screenplay, I may tell you that it would be better to write in such a way that production will cost less.

Even if you are honest when you promise to help, there is no guarantee that the other person is honest. I have sometimes made the deal, "I'll read your screenplay if you read mine." The willingness of the other screenwriter to do what they promised to do has differed from case to case.

At the same time, most people are relatively honest. So, try to help when it doesn't give you too many problems for yourself.

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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About the Author

Göran Johansson

Göran Johansson

Director, Screenwriter, Playwright

I started filmmaking in 2003, at the local public access television station. My films have been broadcast at more than 20 different public access television stations in Sweden and Finland. After producing 17 hours with shorts and TV mini series, I have created 3 long comedies. Each slightly lon...

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16 Comments on Göran's Article

John Gostomski
Editor, Screenwriter, Script Consultant, Singer, Accountant, Camera Operator, Field Recordist, Financier, Researcher, Storyboard Artist, Unit Production Manager, Voice Actor, Actor, Business Development/Sales, First Assistant Camera
Göran: Thank you for sharing your message — both a cultural insight and a deeply human reminder of what it means to be reliable, genuine, and collaborative in a world that often rewards performance over principle. I wholeheartedly agree with your advice: do what you have promised to do. It seems so simple, yet it's rare enough in today’s world that when we encounter it — real follow-through, given without fanfare — it feels both refreshing and deeply trustworthy. Your words resonate because they don’t just reflect personal wisdom; they reflect a national ethic, one rooted in Sweden’s tradition of quiet excellence and grounded honesty. The “Law of Jante” you mentioned stood out to me. In a time when many are encouraged to exaggerate their abilities or “fake it until they make it,” the humility embedded in that law offers a far more sustainable and respectable path: one of showing up, following through, and letting results speak for themselves. It’s clear you live by this, and it’s no surprise that others have remembered your name when opportunity returned. Your point about AI tools pretending to offer help also struck a chord. As someone who values human effort and connection, I agree: to use technology without sincerity is to erode the trust that collaboration depends on. Tools are helpful — but they are not a substitute for integrity, for showing up in person, doing the work, and giving your full attention to someone else’s creative journey. Volunteering, as you wisely said, is a path to not only building skill but also reputation. I’ve seen firsthand how being generous with one’s time and knowledge creates a ripple effect — doors open, relationships form, and careers grow on a foundation of mutual respect and shared effort. We remember those who stood by their word, especially in environments like film and writing, where trust is the real currency. And yes, just as important as giving, is knowing when to say no. Not out of selfishness, but out of respect — for our time, our limitations, and the integrity of the help we can actually give. That kind of discernment is rare and admirable. So thank you again — not just for your advice, but for reminding us that in a world increasingly tempted by shortcuts, character is still the best long-term strategy. I appreciate your mentorship, your stories, and the clarity of your values. I’ll carry your words with me and pass them forward. With respect and agreement, John Gostomski Screenwriter | Collaborator | Student of Integrity
a month ago
Alexandra Stevens
Actor, Acting Teacher
Hi Goran, what a decent human being you sound. The individuals who seek and get your support are fortunate. A good reminder to me of the work ethic I value
a month ago
Göran Johansson
Director, Screenwriter, Playwright
Dear friends, nice with so many comments. Pamela, yes, to say no may at first appear rude, but saying yes and not doing anything is worse. Robert, nice that you like what is produced here. And sure, words with an emotional value often give different reactions depending on what culture the listener comes from. Wyman, good luck animating. I try to start filming one more doll movie. And perhaps we knew the same lady here in Lund. Maurice, yes, it is easy to promise too much, so nice that you learned. Laureen, you are hardly under qualified. I have received useful comments from people who were probably on the same level as you.
a month ago
Pamela Jaye Smith
Author, Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Acting Teacher, Script Consultant, Story Analyst
"Saying no is more helpful than false promises." Excellent advice, Goran. Thank you for your thoughtful observations from your wide experiences.
a month ago
I am a fan of Swedish TV crime shows. The directness often presents to North American sensibilities as rude. But it does not hold a candle to the Dutch. They were the toughest clients to deal with. A colleague once said that an additional functionality in the software was 'free'. The repsonse was angry, "If it is free it has no value. Why do you offer me shit?" Brutal, but revealing. While in the USA, saying something is free piques interest, in the Netherlands it must not have value. To the Dutch, free in US terms is like a car salesperson saying, "And the Wheels are included for free!"
a month ago
Leonardo Ramirez
Screenwriter, Author, Voice Actor
Great article Göran. I do believe that the concept of unselfishness and truth are traits that we should carry in every aspect of our lives, not just our vocation. Yet the concept of truth should not exclude kindness. We can speak truth with care behind it which makes it even more easy for the recipient to receive and accept. Thanks for sharing.
a month ago
Wyman Brent
Songwriter, Playwright
A very thoughtful article. I have always strived to do what I say I will do. Plus, kindness toward others is at the top of my list. The three animated series I am working on revolve around kindness, fun, supporting each other without violence, anger or cynicism. I grew up in a home where mental and physical violence was the norm. I decided to not be like that. On a side note, I spent six months in Hörby and was dating a lady who lived in Lund. This was back in 1990. Those were the days. I still have fond memories of my time there.
a month ago
Maurice Vaughan
Screenwriter
Great points, Göran! You're right. Do what you have promised to do. "So, some employers appear to have noticed that we Swedes have a large tendency not to promise more than we can deliver." I used to overpromise when I was a newer screenwriter. I wasn't able to keep the promises, and it hurt my relationships in the industry.
a month ago
Lauren Hackney
Screenwriter, Author
I like this article. I have had someone reach out recently and ask if I would give them feedback. I was honest and said I work full time and have 2 kids - I'm happy to help but it may take a couple of days. I'm up late after bedtime now working on it. I just worry I'm under qualified to be giving such feedback. I'm happy to help but I'm learning too.
a month ago
Thank you, Göran
a month ago
Hiabu Hassebu
Author, Screenwriter, Translator
Life is made of "Yes" and "NO" and there's no a middle status in between. You said it all in an eloquent manner. I deeply share your Idea. It personally touched me.
a month ago
Hiabu Hassebu
Author, Screenwriter, Translator
Love it!
a month ago
Hiabu Hassebu
Author, Screenwriter, Translator
This inspired me.
a month ago
Hiabu Hassebu
Author, Screenwriter, Translator
Thank you, Göran
a month ago
Hiabu Hassebu
Author, Screenwriter, Translator
Extremely helpful.
a month ago
Harri-Pekka Virkki
Author, Stunt Performer
Thank you, Göran
a month ago
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