In Tim's films, more than most, if you miss the tone, you don't get the film.

For me, writing something in the spirit of Halloween is like Mother Teresa writing on charity and sacrifice. It's just second nature to me.

Or certainly I would need time - which I would love to have but there almost never is on a film - to just spend a week with a roomful of guys laying down these patterns.

I'm so happy dancing while the grim reaper cuts, cuts, cuts, but he can't get me. I'm as clever as can be, and I'm very quick but don't forget; we've only got so many tricks. no one lives forever.

If there's one thing I really love... it's sad music.

The idea of performing some of Jack Skellington's songs from The Nightmare Before Christmas live for the very first time is immensely exciting.

I'm trying to interpret the film through the director's head, but it all comes out through me. So, a composer is kind of like a psychic medium.

You hear the beginning of a melody, you should kind of know it's going to lead down this path. It should start feeling like a friend, like familiar.

You have to write a good score that you feel good about. At least, you're supposed to. But, if the director hates it, it ain't going to be in the movie!

I don't see myself necessarily having a burning desire to write a symphony.

I would have to say I might do some stuff, but it's the film that's appealing. I was raised on film. My musical experience is all via film, it's not from classical music.

[I]n my own case at least I feel my professional need for freedom of speech and expression prejudices me toward a government whose constitution guarantees it.

You are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig to find it and make it real.

Fatalism is a lazy man's way of accepting the inevitable.

Every year 3.1 million Indian children die before the age of 5, mostly from diseases of poverty like diarrhea.

Our purpose in life is to be happy. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment.

A standard international language should not only be simple, regular, and logical, but also rich and creative.

I hope my next movie is with like 80 year olds because I want to feel young again.

Nothing that actually occurs is of the smallest importance

What else can matter to us, other than how our lives feel from the inside?

One who can see without seeming to see-- That's an observer as good as three.