At a certain point, you have to convince the actors that you've done the right thing. The way I work, if I can't convince them, I've got to move on. I can't coerce them or browbeat them.

If you're doing six takes, instead of doing six variations on the same words, why not just throw out the words and make them up as you go along, if you're comfortable with it? It gives the movies a slightly rangier feeling, and more of an accidental feel, but it also makes them edgier.

The rule of thumb for a director or producer - which prevents them from just sticking their names on everything - is that you have to contribute substantially more than 50 percent of the character dialogue and story.

I have no trouble selling out—I’m a benevolent hack, in a certain way—but I want to pander for something I believe in.

You can't not have feelings about country clubs, whichever side you're on.

I'd like to think I'd never do a gratuitous fart joke.

Most people live somewhere on the spectrum of anxiety and depression.