Looking at paintings was a huge part of finding my way into the lush world of the 18th century.

In a way, a lot of my work is in the re-writing once it is cast, as I adapt to the rhythms of how the roles are played out by the actors.

Novels have become equally important to me as films. I consider myself a storyteller and passionately engaged in both of those disciplines.

The script is the musical score, and everyone has to play off that score. Even I have to interpret it. The producers are there to eliminate obstacles to that interpretation.

Every work coming from the creator is about getting the demons out, and each character in those stories had a different personal crisis to get through.

That's one thing I find about having children - it does unlock a door that separates you from other women who've had children.

I've always been fascinated by the way that children and animals suffer stoically in a way that I don't think adults do.