Elia Kazan - the films he made were such a big deal for me when I was growing up.

My parents weren't involved in show business but my parents would show me. We'd watch old films in the house.

Even though I grew up in L.A., no one in my family was in the movie industry.

[ Being director] is really reassuring to me that it's just about who is right for that role and less about if you ace the audition. It's just about getting to know people, not about who's a better actor a lot of the time. It's about who fits that particular suit, you know?

An era that I specifically like is sort of late 50's, early 60's. I guess mid 50's too. I like these types of films that deal with post WWII America and this more complex leading man that kind of emerges from that.

That is sort of the eternal question for people who go to Hollywood...what will be the straw that breaks the camel's back, and forces you to think about doing something else? When do you throw in the towel?

I've had that experience many, many, times - when you don't get roles. I'd developed a good muscle for shaking it off.