Teenagers all think their life is a movie. If you break up with someone or you have a fight, you walk around with movie scores playing in your head. You sort of see yourself suffering as you're suffering. There's a lot of melodrama attached to the real events of your life.

There's a few people who I've accumulated over the years who I really trust to show a first cut to and to be helpful rather than unhelpful.

Some actors really like to do only a few, some like Casey [Affleck] will do as many takes as there is electrical power. At some point, you'll say, "Listen, I think it's really good." And he'll say, "You sure? You sure? There's not some other way we should try it?"

I take it as a sign of intimacy and friendship when you feel comfortable enough with someone to have a little rough and tumble.

I often find myself writing about people taking care of each other, or trying to. And often seem to write about situations that are too big for the characters.

I've reached a new level of closeness with a new friend when I can make a joke at their expense. That's one of the great joys of life for me.

I feel like if you can describe something fully and accurately, then people will be able to see it themselves - they don't need be told what to.