I just thought, given the practicalities of financing an independent movie, you have to have some names. That's just the way it works. You have to have a name that can get you foreign pre-sales.

The danger comes in, in my opinion, when you believe someone because they're the leader of your church and supposedly they have an ear to God without examining what they're doing.

I've always intended to eventually make films. I've always been very aware of tone and shots. But documentaries are a great proving ground for me.

If there's a cutaway, you need to get it then because it's only going to last [a few moments]. You have to edit the movie as you're shooting it in your head and communicate with your crew about how it's going to work. While making a movie, you have the luxury of storyboards and a script and a bigger crew and actors. I mean, it's so much easier.

I just thought, given the practicalities of financing an independent movie, you have to have some names. That's just the way it works. You have to have a name that can get you foreign pre-sales.

I'm a fan of the European style, naturalistic thriller.

There could be great thrillers or great dramas or great comedies made in that world but everyone's afraid of it. So you have to do them as these crazy little independent movies.