If you are prepared to make a fool of yourself for them then you usually get that back. I think that there are points where you become so close to an actor, you know them so well, almost as well or better than their spouse. You have to know them, warts and all.

I think you get better at staring into space. Especially living in the South of France.

Their every instinct - and I have to say this is without exception - is to iron out the bumps, and It's always the bumps that are the most interesting stuff.

Well, I think just the fact that you are making your first film is a huge step.

The danger is that if you have a bunch of ideas that you forget to use.

The challenge, really, on any new film is to try to avoid that and achieve a few moments that aren't cliche.

I was speaking to Ridley Scott the other day and he makes a film every 18 months. He's amazing really.