Music is the subliminal connecting adhesive in film, or at least in narrative feature films.

Big Sur is at the end of the continent. It attracts really crazy people.

Death is always around the corner, but often our society gives it inordinate help.

I dont find myself lobbying for projects. Filmmakers almost always come to me.

A carefree quality is a whole aspect of life that I will never understand. I don't think I have ever been carefree and can't see the pleasure of it.

I'm one of those people who is actually inspired by a deadline. I might not sleep for many days on end, it may not be good for my health, but it definitely helps.

I have always loved Scottish music - all sorts of Celtic, Gaelic music.

Conducting, I tried it once off the cuff, and quickly realized there were subtle aspects that I was missing. There is a lot more to it that I was able to grasp simply by watching conductors.

In mainstream romantic comedies, I'm usually tearing my hair out. It's just a devastatingly difficult genre for me.

I like business and personal life to be distinct.

John Barry was the first film composer I was aware of. As a teenager I owned several of his Bond soundtracks.

Why write? Life is a cage of empty words.

Treat your advices like your money, don't give it to others unless they ask for it.

I am as firmly convinced that religions do harm as I am that they are untrue.

Beware 'good' main characters who have a limited repertory of culturally acceptable feelings, while your evil bastards have a full range of vivid, passionate feelings.

Never speak out of anger, Never act out of fear, Never choose from impatience, But wait... and peace will appear.

A homemade affair that's just in time for Halloween.

It's a shame that people are resisting vetting programs that would actually just keep out those who want to do us harm.

A lot of political people, especially people on the left, have forgotten the importance of humor as an incredible weapon, and a vehicle through which to affect change.

There's 150,000 students here from the Middle East. If 40% of them have overstayed their visa, don't we need to know where they are, what they're doing, are they obeying our rules?

Success breeds volume, and it's just amazing how many young writers, artists, and musicians there are in town.