We're an odd culture. I think Americans have a sense of guilt because they understand that they have more of just about everything than anyone else. At the same time we're essentially isolationist; cut off from the rest of the world both physically and in the news we hear. It's an odd juxtaposition of opposites that manifests itself I think in fear and apprehension. It can be something as simple as the shark in Jaws or a much more complex issue like terrorism. I'm just stumbling around trying to give it a little bit of human context.

I was raised to be super polite. I had great parents, but it was a very class-conscious New York environment. One of the things I love about the set is dealing with all kinds of people. It's one place where being a control freak can be a benevolent thing. I try to project calm so they can do their thing. They shouldn't look over and see terror in my eyes.

I'm exploring the aspect of the American identity where dreams and aspirations are always a positive thing, the implication of the sense that if everybody is having a dream, it makes it impossible to have a sophisticated view of our own lives.

"People like their medicine to taste bad." -commenting on why movie-goers and critics respect dramas more than comedies.