There's definitely a way of thinking and a way of being in the South that has its advantages and disadvantages.

My first three movies, I didn't start editing until we were finished shooting. That's unthinkable to me now.

Another thing that really excites me: I'd like to do multiple versions of the same film.

Surprisingly, I don't throw away that much. I don't move forward with a lot of things unless they're going somewhere. You also have to remember that when you're working with other artists, you have to be really careful about how you deal with that stuff.

I try to use other songs or bands as reference points - it seems like the easiest way to get across what are really differences of taste or opinion. If you know what kind of music somebody loves, then you can kind of figure out why they do what they do.

I'm always a little unnerved when I see a show that's set in the past that implies in any way that things were nicer then.

The brief flashbacks are sun-kissed, summery and optimistic. It's the only place in the movie you will see red, yellow, orange, or any vibrant colors.