I don't really watch my moves all that often; I mean, really, I don't.

I think Robert Altman could see things in me that I didn't know I possessed, which is really exciting. He also instilled a tremendous amount of confidence, because he would say things like, "These are the bare bones, but I want you to go fill it out. You find the character. You bring it to me. You write whatever you want." And if you had an idea, he wouldn't want to hear about it. He's want you to show it to him.

I'm not necessarily less gratified by films where you're given less room to maneuve. Because I love a great script, and I love to respect it, and I love to try to give a director what he needs and wants, especially having directed now. [Laughs.] I'm much more open to try to give him what he wants and figure it out. I like working with directors I respect and admire, obviously. And everybody has their own way.

One of the reasons that I do a lot of different kinds of pictures is because I learn a lot when I'm doing them.

I hate parties. I don't like big crowded things.

I've always done roles that really appealed to me on a gut level and which I found inspiring.

Writing, producing and directing, I must say, is incredibly satisfying and gratifying.