I was scared that no one would hire me. At that time, there was still a stigma attached to it. A big stigma. Actually, I think I was healthier after the operation than some people who have bypass surgery because I was completely cured. But when you mentioned "heart transplant," you got a very negative reaction. It triggered people's imaginations, and not in a good way.

I don't think screenplay writing is the same as writing - I mean, I think it's blueprinting.

Retirement? You're talking about death, right?

Your own ego is the only trap that I think you can fall into.

Most of my films I call arena films. I deal with a confined area -- an arena -- and I try to cover every aspect of it.

I don't know what "Altmanesque" means, though I suppose I'm flattered by it.

I was scared that no one would hire me. At that time, there was still a stigma attached to it. A big stigma. Actually, I think I was healthier after the operation than some people who have bypass surgery because I was completely cured. But when you mentioned "heart transplant," you got a very negative reaction. It triggered people's imaginations, and not in a good way.