Tasting failure, even when you truly believe in a project, is a critical part of the growth process.
Making 'American Made' really was an adventure.
'The New Black Yoga' originally was born from a film that I had made prior called 'Black Yoga.' And I was living in Berlin at the time, dealing with a lot of anxiety and stress around the project that I was working on, which is not an abnormal thing for me.
My philosophy is, don't take no for an answer and be willing to sacrifice your entire project for freedom.
Get yourself a goal worth working for. Better still, get yourself a project.
Effectively, as a cinematographer, I am always on the lookout for a project that makes me want to go to the cinema.
The first decent building I did with my own practice was a chapel in Taiwan.
I signed on with Disney to star and choreograph an original film.
People who say that life is not worthwhile are really saying that they themselves have no personal goals which are worthwhile. Prescription: Get yourself a goal worth working for. Better still, get yourself a project. Decide what you want out of a situation. Always have something ahead of you to “look forward to” — to work for and hope for.
Confrontation is something that I accept as part of the project though not its purpose.
'Rent' was a special project for me. It was my first notable screenplay job. I worked with two wonderful directors on it, starting with Spike Lee in the summer of 2001. I wrote a draft for Spike and he was really good to me.
A new project can offer you a new challenge.
Without dreams we would be cows in a field, and I don't want to live like that. I live my life or I end my life with this project.
I sign a film based on the story, the role I play, and the maker.
I started to write a new editor not too long ago and had it about half done after two days.
I see a project, and I say I want to audition for it, and people let me audition for it. There's a lot to be grateful for.
I am writing a book and that takes third place of importance.
The first project, I made 16 songs and put 12 of them on the mixtape.
I'm spending all my time and energy on the project at hand.
It is so exciting to get a phone call saying you're going to be working on a Disney film.
How were we to know 'Highway' would be such a success? It is one of my proudest achievements.
We have a beautiful program which is audacious and I really want us all to roll up our sleeves and to work at making it a success.
With any project, but especially in television, I always try to look at where the character is starting from and where he's going to end up, and try to find the biggest arc that makes it the most exciting to play.
Directors are our teachers, and I'm always craving to work with a great director. They're pretty much the first thing that interests me about a project. Let's put it this way: It'll take me a lot longer to read a script if there's no director attached.
I would like to write a movie and, if it wasn't too crazy, also direct.
