As a filmmaker, "no" is not in my vocabulary. I've got to figure out a way.

When I finish a film, I put it away and I never look at it again.

When Ray Charles is concentrating he's like a piece of granite, nothing twitches, nothing, ... He sat for 25 minutes solid like that, like a stone, and I thought, 'Oh my God, if he doesn't like it I'm dead.' ... And then finally, after 25 minutes he started to talk back to the screen. I heard him say 'That's right. That's the truth.' .

Russell Crowe is very difficult, but it's worth it. He's the real thing. I can tell you this. Russell Crowe was just as difficult before he was an international star as he was afterwards.

I feel very comfortable shooting music, and I think you can see that.

I really believe you can predict when someone has a great attitude, a real well of talent.

It isn't glamorous until after the film is finished, and you are at the premiere and getting your picture on the cover of magazines.