The first thing that goes into shooting a scene is understanding whats on the page.

Time management is a big part of the director's job.

As far as pacing the shoot is concerned, I know when I've got it. I don't think there's any reason to take ten takes unless you need them.

As one who loves literature, art, music and history, I've been deeply rooted in the Harlem Renaissance for many years.

There are some scenes that work beautifully in a moving, sweeping master, which is how I like to work.

There are so many famous people now that are not really gifted or talented at doing anything other than getting made up, putting on tight dresses, acting badly, getting married. I mean, what the hell? I don't know where we are going with this here in America. And we are setting a tone for the world, because everyone looks at what we do.

The clothes back in those days were made so much better than clothes are today. They actually took time to make clothes to fit a woman's body. Today they make clothes that fit sizes, so it stretches to fit this and that.