When you produce and direct your own film you have the somewhat consoling feeling that the producer will kill for you.

When you produce and direct your own film you have the somewhat consoling feeling that the producer will kill for you.

James L. Brooks

If you look at everything straight on, there is nothing to be afraid of.

If you look at everything straight on, there is nothing to be afraid of.

The role of the artist is to not look away.

The role of the artist is to not look away.

I can't afford to hate anyone. I don't have that kind of time.

I can't afford to hate anyone. I don't have that kind of time.

In a mad world only the mad are sane.

In a mad world only the mad are sane.

It is the power of memory that gives rise to the power of imagination.

It is the power of memory that gives rise to the power of imagination.

Media reporting denied privacy to anybody doing what I do for a living. It was no longer possible to work on your picture in privacy.

Media reporting denied privacy to anybody doing what I do for a living. It was no longer possible to work on your picture in privacy.

I have a lot of nightmares.

I have a lot of nightmares.

Kids in general make things fresh and alive and they have this great appreciation for, Holy mackerel, we're making a movie!

Kids in general make things fresh and alive and they have this great appreciation for, Holy mackerel, we're making a movie!

It never stops, accepting that fact is difficult.
I took some time out for life.

It never stops, accepting that fact is difficult. I took some time out for life.

Great things that can happen when you're doing a movie.

Great things that can happen when you're doing a movie.

I always believe you can't kill good movies, because somebody's in some room and will die unless it gets made.

I always believe you can't kill good movies, because somebody's in some room and will die unless it gets made.

I value comedy. I value somebody who can be funny.

I value comedy. I value somebody who can be funny.

Things get very distorted when you do a movie, weirdly so.

Things get very distorted when you do a movie, weirdly so.

I love romantic comedy, but I think you have to have another idea that you're chasing along with romantic comedy.

I love romantic comedy, but I think you have to have another idea that you're chasing along with romantic comedy.

Once you read the script, it's the only way it can be.

Once you read the script, it's the only way it can be.

I had a marketing idea that everybody hated, decency is sexy.

I had a marketing idea that everybody hated, decency is sexy.

I think you have a pact with an audience in every picture, and I think the pact is to try and be truthful and to be real.

I think you have a pact with an audience in every picture, and I think the pact is to try and be truthful and to be real.

A lot of things just aren't true any more.

A lot of things just aren't true any more.