Quotes

I'm just attracted to the action element of science fiction. It's great to sit in the editing room with the director and sound engineers and to create the feeling where your heart is racing and you're sitting at the edge of your seat and you find yourself holding your breath.

A lot of my films have dealt with the dark side of technology and stress that you have to examine the ramifications of progress.

(from a 1988 interview) Filmmaking is a business and at the bottom line people who don't make fiscally responsible decisions end up going into another line of work. You've seen several independent companies go bust recently. There's every reason in the world to put your money behind a sure bet and if you check the business sequels do it's really one of the surest bets around.

(on the benefits of shooting on real locations) When you're on a sound stage -- which I have to tell you everyone prefers -- it's easier. But you don't have the same tension, the same energy level. You can tell a film that has been shot at a brisk pace with lots of energy. It comes through in the dynamics of what you see on the screen. Somehow, it's easier to create when you're out there in real places on real streets, no matter what the hardships are while you're shooting. There's much more camaraderie when you're out there in the elements.

A lot of producers now are people who stay in their office and never go to the set. I don't know how you can be the advocate of the movie if you're not there in it every day.

[on the appeal of The Walking Dead (2010)] It's not about the zombies, really. People far wiser than we are... talk about a primal fear that we have as human beings - being dead but not dead, with no control, shuffling around with no awareness. And then you become a cannibal and eat your family.

[on the death of Sondra Locke] She was a wonderful talent gone too soon.