When I make a movie, I have both a specific and vague, amorphous dream idea of what the movie is going to be. Of course, I don't actually know what it's going to be, but I'm still striving to get to some place with it.

There's something really vulnerable about playing something that you like for someone. You don't know what their reaction will be.

How you start the movie is critical. And how often you feel that there's no reason for how it's starting.

I didn't train in directing; I talk to actors the way I talk to anybody.

I wouldn't say 'Frances Ha' is autobiographical, but it's definitely very personal.

I do think it's a very good way to describe what a great actor does. You're both acknowledging the authority of the director and the necessity of the actor to push back and find their own voice.

If you don't feel good about something, you don't shake it off easily.