There's a powerful magic about being a writer that I still marvel at.

All great work is preparing yourself for the accident to happen.

In drama, the characters should determine the story. In melodrama, the story determines the characters.

For any director with a little lucidity, masterpieces are films that come to you by accident.

It's art. It's commerce. It's heartbreaking and it's fun. It's a great way to live.

Suffice to say that the theme (the WHAT of the movie) is going to determine the style (the HOW of the movie).

The varying physical characteristics of the actors may also necessitate changes. Sean Connery is six feet four. Dustin Hoffman isn't.