Quotes

(Film making) is not about your personal ego, your creativity or your ideas. In the end, it's about bringing the most creative and talented people together and orchestrating them to make a great project. After that, it's about the project, not any one individual.

Instead of picking apart a person's looks, their haircut, odd mannerism or such... we need to see them for their talent, their contributions, or simply their heart. Everyone is amazing in their own way.

I think every filmmaker should understand the mechanics and business end of film. As a director and screen writer, I've learned to appreciate the hard work and sacrifice any producer goes through having learned that end of the business myself. I recommend that involvement to anyone who is serious about this industry.

I care far more about a person's character, their interests, talent and integrity than how they identify themselves.

Even the most expensive camera is only as good as the artist behind the viewfinder.

I enjoy honest and genuine characterizations. I strive to celebrate the ordinary among us, who are extraordinary in their dealings with life.

Love with conditions isn't love... it's a performance.

Using excessive profanity, trying to add shock value, is taking the cheap way out in screen writing. It's like giving a plate of hot sauce instead of the buffalo wings... there's no substance. There are rare exceptions when it is justified and skillfully applied, such as in the series "Sons of Anarchy," where it fits the story-line brilliantly.

My philosophy is that a low budget film doesn't have to appear cheaply made. It can be brilliant and sophisticated if it has a great story and the quality of direction is there.

The ghosts of San Francisco sing like shadows on the wind and if you listen. Songs of more than rust and stone. Shattered lives and broken homes. In days to come, like days gone by... on this you can rely. There'll always be a dream too big to die. (Lyrics to the song "The Ghosts of San Francisco" by R. Christian Anderson, music by John Thomas Bullock.)

Even the greatest ideas for a film are pointless if you can't get the audience past the synopsis.