I started writing stories when I was 9 or 10. I wrote my first screenplay-type document when I was 14.

I want to be happy while I make movies and not just do things just to work. I want to do things I spend years on.

I don't really put trophies out. I don't keep trophies around my apartment.

There's nothing better than finishing something and looking at it. Whether it be a script or a movie, it's this complete little thing that now exists and is hopefully immortal.

It's an important part of being a member of society to know what's happening in the world and to know where you fall in it and what you can do about it.

Sometimes the best set experiences make for the worst films. So, you don't want it to be too good an experience! But the bulk of your life is working with people and collaborating so you don't want anyone to be miserable on your film either. You want it to be something that people walk away from saying that it was a good experience for them and hopefully a good film. As a director, you are sort of leader of that troupe for that period of time, so you're aware of morale and your effect - how you are as a person and how that sort of trickles down to everyone else.

It's nice to represent to other people in the world that Americans actually do know what's happening in the world, can speak other languages and are conscientious. The perception quite often is that we don't know what's beyond our county line.