So now I feel I'm lucky in the respect that I can sort of pick a little more carefully, which is tricky because as a black actress, there aren't that many roles to pick from.

Editing is a natural extension of collage making. It's actually one of the few areas that women were able to excel in in the film industry from the beginning.

As far as developing a career as an actress, I think it's a fine balance between trying to just work, and also be true to yourself.

I don't think I'm a follower, frankly.

Which is why I felt I was truly blessed this year, with leads in two nice films, and also the luxury of being able to do a studio film and an independent afterwards was fantastic.

For six months I'd do movies and make it all about me. Then the other six months, it's not about me and it doesn't matter what my hair looks like or what anything looks like.

If you're fortunate enough, you get to a position where you can be a little pickier about your roles.

I'm actually developing a project so that I can have a lead.

I like to make collages - paper collages.

In the end, I play a lot of friends and I really think it's about time that some ethnic girls get out there in the lead part. So we're developing something.

Editing is a natural extension of the collage making. It's actually one of the few areas that women were able to excel in in the film industry from the beginning.

Joblessness is a blessing

Experience has thought me that there is only one short step between Love and Hate, as there is between Life and Death.

... once you get up steam, you are carried helplessly along.

Everybody should have a documentary made about themselves. It's amazing what you see and what you learn.

Every high civilization decays by forgetting obvious things.

It only hurt once, from beginning to end.

God does not need your good works, but your neighbor does.

A young man who is unable to commit a folly is already an old man.

In every position that I've been in, there have been naysayers who don't believe I'm qualified or who don't believe I can do the work. And I feel a special responsibility to prove them wrong.

How can one, who eats the flesh of others to swell his flesh, show compassion?