To make personal movies that you are the author of, is quite a difficult thing. It takes a lot of stamina.

As a director myself, you really appreciate collaborating with people who are trying to help you find what you need and what you want.

I'm a writer and director, and the movie I've seen a million times is 'Stardust Memories' by Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen and Charlotte Rampling.

Japan is the most intoxicating place for me. In Kyoto, there's an inn called the Tawaraya which is quite extraordinary. The Japanese culture fascinates me: the food, the dress, the manners and the traditions. It's the travel experience that has moved me the most.

I grew up in San Francisco and moved to L.A. about 20 years ago, and now my main home is in Hollywood.

Film is like eating to me. It feels completely natural.

As a director myself, you want to have colleagues and collaborators that respect your authority as the director. I'm very comfortable with that, and I've done a lot of work in second unit.