People have become so literal because they're used to reality-based television.

There is incredible power in the arts to inspire and influence.

I call myself a playmaker sometimes - but that's just a word. I don't feel like I have to have a title or a job description.

Directing is much more psychological-it's a lot like being a general. And you have to be organized. While you're making a film, you have between two and 500 people asking you a billion questions.

I'm not going to spend two years on a film or four years on an opera if I don't feel like I can put my own self into it. That doesn't mean it has to be about myself.

Theater is far superior to film in poetry, in abstract poetry.

I really do believe that if you don't challenge yourself and risk failing, that it's not interesting.