When you're casting a movie and when you're shooting a film, the eyes are the most important feature of any performer, really. Any great actor literally knows exactly how to use their eyes, and even as a filmmaker I love shooting huge close-ups because it's those eyes that mean so much to me.

One of the first movies I ever saw was 'Batman,' based on the TV series with Adam West and Burt Ward.

Structure is important in film, but there's often structure to be found in the most unlikely of places! It's quite possible to build a structured story and retain idiosyncrasy.

The most honest form of filmmaking is to make a film for yourself.

It's interesting how the frame rate actually changes the perception of the 3D as well as making it more comfortable to watch.

I regard myself as being the final filter so everything that ends up in the movie is there because it's something that I think was cool.

To get an Oscar would be an incredible moment in my career, there is no doubt about that. But the Lord of the Rings films are not made for Oscars, they are made for the audience.