I live part-time in a cabin in Colorado up in the mountains and part-time on a ranch in central Texas - but do I really know how to go brand a cow, or do I really know how to go rappelling down a cliff? No. I do the recreational, half-assed version of all these manly activities and then try to keep that kind of Zen masculinity, like, "I'm a man of nature."

A lot of my best friends are the best person for the job in a film, but sometimes being a filmmaker I'll give a buddy a chance to prove himself. Other times I want to go with a tried-and-true person. It can absolutely cause problems.

I love animals. With animals you never know what you're getting. Everybody says don't mess with animals and little kids in movies but those are the funniest things because you can't be in control. I like to lose control as a director.

I really strongly feel that when you approach a drama, you have to approach it with energy, honesty, sincerity, and absolute commitment, or don't do it.

When you see somebody actually be able to channel that into an accessible, beautiful tool, you start to see the craftsman behind it.

The people that I associate myself with are people that are looking to make a good product because it's going to benefit them and it's going to help launch their careers.

Sometimes an actor doesn't sell an idea 100 percent. It just sounds like something that's coming out of their head. You can hear the gears whirring and they're trying to think of what the smart approach is to getting a line across.