I definitely went through my magic phase. I think all little boys do at some point or another - they get fascinated by magic tricks.

I certainly would never overstep my bounds and make suggestions to a director. As an actor I'm trying to fit to the best of my abilities within the director's vision, and trying to find some happy rapport where we can both bring something to it that's fresh. Usually I've been lucky in working with directors who have trusted my instincts.

I'll speak for myself, but there's a lot of humor to be found in sarcasm and darkness. You talk to any paramedic, they survive by developing a pretty off-kilter sense of humor.

I always add a year to myself, so I'm prepared for my next birthday. So when I was 39, I was already 40.

Guy Pearce is very precise and clear about understanding the rhythm and the music of a scene.

My mother was a dancer, so I like to use the body as part of the instrument of acting.

One of the great bonuses of being a film actor is that I get to go to different places, meet inspiring people and learn different things. So all those details add up.