Animals talking are very rarely funny. But animals behaving as animals - always funny.

As far as how much you listen to the audience, you listen to them when they really hate something.

I grew up with a single mom who was a waitress. We were on food stamps. My mom then got Pell Grants, put herself through college to get a degree to get a better job. Because we were broke, I then had to go to a state school. I went to Temple University, and had to get loans. So I grew up in a world where I saw the government helping individuals pull themselves up, and saw it work very successfully.

I could see how people get addicted to animation, and I understand why it's so great for comedy. You can do whatever you want and it just happens.

I don't think there's ever been a moment in history where that, as an artistic message, has played very well, because people in their hearts know that's terrible and a lie.

There are many aspects to directing that have a romantic place in people's minds.

All you can really do as director is sort of set a tone.