I think one of the major things a director has to do is to know his subject matter, the subject matter of his script, know the truth and the reality of it. That's very important.
If you want to keep on being relevant as a director, I think you have to embrace the times. And with the times come technologies and formats.
Generally my focus has been on people who make things, whether it's writers or directors or painters or musicians.
As an actor, you want a director who makes you feel comfortable in a place that you can really create and try a lot of different things.
I am a typed director. If I made Cinderella, the audience would immediately be looking for a body in the coach.
Now I'm kind of established as a director, I much prefer directing to writing.
The kindest thing a director can do is look with open eyes at everything.
You have to get it in your brain that you don't belong to yourself as an actor, but that you belong to the director who creates the character.
A lot of directors in television have come up through the technical ranks. They have all the technical skills in the world. They're not all that familiar with actors.
Many plays - certainly mine - are like blank checks. The actors and directors put their own signatures on them.
When I was in college, I had only one ambition that one day I would like to be a director.
Gastronomy is my hobby. I'm simply the casting director. Once I've brought all the right people together, it is they who must work together to tell a story.
Run away from laziness; work hard. Touch intuition and listen to the heart, not marketing directors. Dream.
On stage, the audience watches from a fixed viewpoint and the director cannot retake something he doesn't like. It has to work straight through.
My height can be a problem. A lot of directors and photographers are sometimes not happy because I'm pretty tall and especially if I work with short actors the difference can be pretty massive.
The parameters are such that I don't get offered a lot of work. I'm sure most directors hear my list of don'ts and say forget it.
I always believe that one can't interfere in another's work. Once I start work on any film, I surrender myself completely and blindly follow the director.
I'm so lucky to have the opportunity to work with some directors and some actors I wouldn't have dared to think I would work with one day.
Sometimes you see things in a script, and it doesn't necessarily mean the director sees the same things. And if you think you're going to be making a different film, then that's not gonna work.
And I think one way or another it's evident to those who work with me that as a writer, a director, a friend, as somebody's there that's very anxious to get the movie made.
I think when you work with really wonderful directors who have a really strong vision, it lets you as an artist set the tone for your own career.
