I shot [Dream of Life] all on 16-millimeter, and I just wanted to learn about Patti [Smith].

We were just hanging out and getting to learn about each other. But I think trust was a really big thing. Patti [Smith] is a good friend, somebody I can talk to.

I didn't do well in high school, but I took photography, and I loved being able to capture moments.

Many of my family members are teachers in the arts, and I picked up the camera years ago, in high school.

Ultimately, the film [Dream of Life] is inspirational.

We had a hodgepodge of footage. We didn't film [in Dream of Life ]all the time - we would just film periodically, so nothing was synced and nothing was slated.

I wasn't familiar with Patti [Smith ]much at all. When I was asked to photograph her, my wife said, "Oh my God, Patti Smith!" So I looked at some Robert Mapplethorpe books and I recognized those pictures.