Acting is the hardest job in the entire world. By far. Harder than ditch digging.

So with 'There Will Be Blood,' I didn't even really feel like I was adapting a book. I was just desperate to find stuff to write.

To make a film, the final big collaborator that you have is the composer.

I'm completely aware of the fact that I'm a control freak.

I don't think the competition's so rough, within the majority of movies made in Hollywood.

How do I respond to criticism? Critically. I listen to all criticism critically.

I really subscribe to that old adage that you should never let the audience get ahead of you for a second. So if the film's abrasive and wrongfoots people then, y'know, that's great. But I hope it involves an audience.