I loved the idea of the Nerd as Hero, which Ghost World also had.

When I do a character, I try to base it on someone I have met or an experience I've had.

I like doing movies that relate to people's experience.

I enjoy doing independent films more, only because there's more freedom. There's not as many cooks tampering with what you are trying to do.

Women don't want to be listened to. They only want to be agreed with

It's nice to see a movie where people are actually succeeding.

I wore a lot of vintage clothing. I dressed like a reporter, with a little card in my hat. I had these fantasies of who I wanted to be, so I'd dress like an explorer, a cowboy. I dressed up like Elton John a lot too. That was another period.