Things I’ve Learned as a Moviemaker

Never hire your brother to be your teamster.

Because no matter how much he loves you, you’ll still be taking a taxi home every night. I’m joking, of course. One of the greatest joys of getting a little success is being able to work with my brothers.

If you have a good idea for a story, don’t wait for someone to give you money; write it.

If it’s a good story, the rest will come. Haggis and I put together Million Dollar Baby and Crash on spec. I just finished a new romantic comedy on spec. Once you take money from someone else to write a film, they become part of the creative process.

A great actor can give you more than you ever imagined.

When I first started directing, I thought I had to be involved with the actors at every point. In the last couple of projects I’ve realized a great actor can give you more than you ever imagined if you just take a step back and give them the freedom to do it.

It’s hard work, so you’d better be in shape.

While making a film, you work 16 to 18 hours a day. With that kind of schedule you find out pretty quickly if you really love this business or not. My wife is fond of saying I never worked a day in my life. I think she’s right. Those of us who make money doing what we love are pretty lucky.