When actors give their input, it can be very ego-driven, and directors are scared of that.
There are two kinds of directors: There's the kind where two plus two equals four, and you have to help them figure it out. And then there's the kind that throws you in a room, locks the door, sets the house on fire and films it.
It sounds cliche, but success is your friends, your family, what you do, and if you're happy when you wake up.
I think Van Sant is the most important American director we have. He takes the most risks. He's just pure to me.
I feel that film, as opposed to theatre, is about capturing that one, real moment.
All these directors who do different locations forget that one room can be shot from a million different angles and a million different ways. When I direct a movie, I'm going to use that.
Acting is really scary, but it's also challenging, fun, hard work. There's always an element of improvisation with every actor, even when something is really scripted.
People don't want to be plagued by not knowing-they want answers.