The people that really pass judgment on you really have nothing to do with what you do, usually.

A lot of directors don't know what they want to do. Every director I've seen that was a good director that I've admired knew exactly what he wanted to do. They didn't sit there and think about it.

Also, they don't understand - writing is language. The use of language. The language to create image, the language to create drama. It requires a skill of learning how to use language.

To be a good executive you have to be strong, and you have to have a simple attribute that people have forgotten about - courage.

I was never conscious of my screenplays having any acts. It's all bullshit.

I suppose when I started out I would have liked to have been the darling of critics or something, but everybody wants to be loved and admired.

I've always had trouble with authority.