Directing is a nice job. It's the best job for me. If I had to pay money to do it, I would do it... Directing is playing. Acting.

Technique is of less interest than character and story.

There are certain things that happen during the production of, I think, every film, that you didn't plan, and often it's better than what you did plan. There's the question of either going with it or not.

Sam Jackson is a director's dream. Some actors hope to find their character during shooting. He knows his character before shooting. Sam's old-school. I just got out of his way. I never did more than two takes with Sam.-william friedkin

You are always cheating for the audience.

I believe it's true that there's good and evil in everyone and it's a constant struggle to have your better angels prevail.

God knows, as a minority, gay people have taken serious lumps for their sexual preferences. As has every minority.