Different films have different places in people's lives. I don't get to see a lot of films, so I want to watch films I learn from.

I'm not really equipped to do anything else but making movies. In every other aspect of my life I'm a total failure.

I'm always trying to work on scripts. I'm pretty selective. Sometimes maybe too much because I'm broke .

There are two kinds of directors: There's the kind where two plus two equals four, and you have to help them figure it out. And then there's the kind that throws you in a room, locks the door, sets the house on fire and films it.

I was really impressed with Naomi [Watts]. She was a producer, and she was doing things that I wasn't really aware of. The way she was able to switch from handling problems to shoot a really difficult scene, I think is a real testament to her true ability.

Well, the first thing I wanted to be was a carpenter. Then I wanted to be a painter and then a singer. It was when I first saw 'Lawrence of Arabia' that I wanted to be an actor.

I think Van Sant is the most important American director we have. He takes the most risks. He's just pure to me.