I think the best actors in the world are here in New York City. And this city is just so vibrant the energy is just phenomenal. Great crews here. All the technicians, all the artists that work in this industry. I've just been very happy with the body that we've been able to do, especially those films we shot here in New York City.

Power is knowing your past.

I'm a storyteller, and there's some genres I like. I don't think I'm ever going to do science fiction, but I want to do a musical one day. I want to tell stories, I don't really try to get boxed in by a specific genre.

I live in New York City, the stories of my films take place in New York; I'm a New York filmmaker.

We're the most violent nation on earth. There's no getting away from that. But you've got to look at it on a broader level.

Violence is a part of America. I don't want to single out rap music. Let's be honest. America's the most violent country in the history of the world, that's just the way it is. We're all affected by it.

I had a great education. From kindergarten to John Dewey High School in Coney Island, I am public-school educated.