The more I come to understand music, the more I feel like a numbskull because there is always more to learn.

I like directors that give their composer a juicy role in their films. Some films have a small, minor role for music, some have a larger role.

I know so few people who actually give music their undivided attention, so I've been trying to just park myself on the couch between the speakers and listen.

If you want to survive in the film industry, it's not about fighting for your visions because that's a given. It's thinking about how much is your vision going to cost, and then, what are the consequences, because you may have $100 million, but the reality is that $100 million needs to make $500 million to be a success.

If I had kids, I don't think I would recommend they pursue a career in music.

I think there is quite a continuity over my 25 years of doing music, and I'm always trying to break away from it.

For me, the work begins with a rough cut of the film. I can't do much with the script. I've tried to write music to a script prior to seeing the film, but I've found it turns out to be a waste of time.