You have to really make sure that every moment means something, and that every moment, there's a purpose for it. And then you have to blend it all together without it looking like you're really focusing on it. That, to me, was the magic trick that was most difficult for the film [Buried].

I had a lot of different jobs between fifteen and nineteen. I'd moved out of my house way, way younger than I should have. So I was living out on my own with my brother when I'd just turned sixteen. I did busboy stuff, and worked in warehouses, and did odd jobs, and stuff. I earned me some Pesos.

Each time I take a role, I'm always nervous about it at the beginning and I'm always afraid what if that, what if this. Every time I take a role and I'm somewhat terrified at the beginning and I get into it and I start working, that's a big win for me. So, really it is stepping forward in the face of whatever fears that I've created for myself and going forward anyway and those are always big moments for me.

Like a lot of people, I've got a self-loathing streak that's alive and well. It acts as a de facto engine when I'm working, but it also has its extraordinary pitfalls, too.

Laughing can serve you in dark moments and even help you crawl your way back out.

Any great director is also someone who is incredibly intelligent about whom they hire around them.

Any kind of crisis can be good. It wakes you up.