Producers should have the courage of their convictions. See your project through to its fruition. Seek help and be generous enough to take on collaborators and not be territorial as you're learning.

As a producer, it's your job to bang on the table and convince studio heads why great movies should be made.

Winning an Oscar attracts the attention of directors and other actors and creates a boost in salary, particularly for someone like Halle Berry. For an established star like Denzel Washington, the benefits are less tangible.

The film world is always looking for great source material, and Broadway has traditionally and historically been a place to go.

Sigmund Freud said we act out our own dreams, but if you are only an actor you are not acting out your own dream. You are simply participating in someone else's dream.

I remember when I met Picabo Street, you know, how in awe I was of her and how much she inspired me, and I really hope to be that for young kids.

The knack is to find your own inspiration and take it on a journey to create work that is personal and revealing.

Just keep going like crazy and look back when it's over. Otherwise you just get confused.