I think there is an element of nihilism about, but I don't think most artists feel their work is meaningless.
You know I love pot, and I love beer, but I am totally sober, just because it completely stopped working for me.
I would say that maybe directors who act as well are easier with actors. I'm not saying that all directors have this, but sometimes you'll come across a director who sort of looks at an actor a bit like a kind of untrained horse that's been let out of the stable, like they might buck him.

