I'm normally drawn to something I haven't done and seen before.

Even when you're making a movie about life, death is a presence, and I guess it's part of my dramatic viewpoint. I'm not sure why exactly.

Even if you try to copy a film shot by shot, you still can't. It's still your own film.

Casting the locals is my primary concern because all the other things you assume will be manageable.

My art teacher in junior high was a very out gay man and a mentor to me.

I mean, I think I'm pretty sentimental.

A lot of times, you're not necessarily off the page because you haven't been able to take the time to prepare a character. It's very easy to find even great actors reading it more like a reading. Things aren't really coming alive yet, even though you know they will.