It never occurred to me to be a film director, partly because I hadn't seen a single film by a female director, but I liked the idea of being a writer moving to Hollywood and being unhappy; that sounded romantic and fabulous to me.

I don't think there is any one route to directing.... Other than that I think you just have to think 'By any means possible' and take any job you can that will get you experience. I also did a lot for free. I got paid virtually nothing for my first film, but it changed my life.

I think morale is the hardest part, not comparing yourself to someone else. I think everyone compares themselves to someone more successful than they are. Everyone does it. You have to embrace your own rocky path.

It's interesting that gay men and young women have been the twin engines of the Bettie [Page] cult.

There's absolutely no point in beating yourself up. Focus on going forward.

I was very ambitious at a young age. When I was six, I would tell everybody that I wanted to be an authoress.

She [Bettie Page] was a traumatized person, but she did have an active sex life.