If you have your movies so that everyone understands everything, I think that's probably not a very good movie.

I definitely in filmmaking more and more find writing and directing a means to harvest material for editing. It's all about editing.

A lot of people get stuck, like, "Oh, if it's made by a studio, it can't be independent." Often they link it to the source of financing, or how it's distributed, but I don't really know how you can. A filmmaker will take his money from anywhere. It doesn't matter.

I still have energy and some degree of youth, which is what a filmmaker needs.

You just never know when you're living in a golden age.

I've always approached screenplays and so forth with, "How would it really happen?" Not "What's the movie version?" but "What's the real-life version?" Then I just follow my nose.

Hollywood films have become a cesspool of formula and it's up to us to try to change it... I feel like a preacher! But it's really true. I feel personally responsible for the future of American cinema. Me personally.