When you do bigger films, the financiers take more risks.
I am an actor through and through.
I tend to do golf charity things because it's much safer and you don't get much chance of a broken arm or leg.
The point is to be involved in the moment.
Being a salesman and an actor were not that dissimilar: It is a good lesson in covering up your feelings. No one wants to buy from someone who looks depressed.
I don't have any problem working with first-time directors because all directors have to start somewhere and all great directors have had a first film. So, if you take the view that you don't want to work with a first-timer, you might miss out on a fantastic opportunity.