Can't teach without it.

Enthusiasm. It's the part of respect that most people forget. Though respect is sometimes quiet, I think it's mostly jumping-up-and-down energetic. Respect is happy, joyful...not dour and bland.

I can't teach without it. And I expect it from my students.

Glen Hansard (the guy in the picture) is the driving musical force behind one of the best films of the year, ONCE. Glen first appeared in Alan Parker's 1991 film, THE COMMITMENTS. Since that time, he's become the lead guitarist and singer for the super-cool Irish band, The Frames. But he's not kept acting. In fact, he says he's not an actor. Just a musician. In ONCE, he's acting again. And he's amazing.

There's something uniquely powerful about the film. I think it has something to do with the fact that Glen's buddy (and The Frames' bass player) John Carney wrote and directed the film, and his writing partner, seventeen year-old Marketa Irglova acted opposite him. I think you can tell that the three people making this film were enthusiastic about the idea of it, and each other.

If you're wondering what kind of students I'm looking for...what sort of people I'm going to let carry Mann Show 2008...the kind of people who earn As in my class, look no further than Glen Hansard and his ONCE collaborators. Match their enthusiasm (just come close), and you'll get no complaints from me.