Maybe I should have taken a few chances. That's not to say I want to go make Star Wars, but I need to shift my career into the studio world. That's where my head was at when I thought of the original plot.

I try not to be too plot-heavy and to balance the dramatic with the comedic.

I feel Irish-Americans are the forgotten minority group. Nobody else is making films about them.

Spielberg gave us three takes before saying anything to us. Since then, I do that, three takes, to let the actors find their rhythm.

The way I see it, when I go out as an actor, it should be on a type of film I'm never going to do as a director.

I am a big fan of the old Howard Hawks films from the 30s and 40s, I was a big Hepburn and Tracey fan for a while and Woody Allen films that are a very different kind of romantic comedy.

I suffer from Irish-Catholic guilt. Guilt is a good reality check. It keeps that ‘do what makes you happy’ thing in check.