The bigger the budget, the less an audience is trusted, and that's the difference between a big-budget film and a small-budget film.

I learned early on that there are all sorts of stories I have no place telling.

I want to write stories that don't help you escape life, but embrace life.

My job as a dramatist is to find out where these characters want to go, and make it as hard as possible for them to get there.

I can't stop terrorism; I can't cure cancer. But I can put some stories out there in their own quiet way that talk about tolerance.

I don't know anything about directing, but if you love actors, know your story and hire a great company, then anyone can direct a film.

People love conversation, and movies are conversations, and an audience has to participate; it has to fill in some blanks.