PAUL FEIG
Director and Producer
The director and producer captured the indignities of high school in "Freaks and Geeks." He continues to explore the complexities of class and power with projects like "Another Simple Favor" and "The Housemaid"—making us laugh at ourselves along the way.
WHAT’S YOUR TRADEMARK? A martini. To me, it’s the most beautiful drink in the world and the ultimate symbol of grown-up fun. As a kid, I only wanted to be an adult and seeing adults drinking martinis symbolized the height of maturity to me.
NAME AN INFLUENCE OF YOURS THAT MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE. James Brown is my hero. He was the ultimate performer and a musical genius who knew how to truly move people. His music always makes me happy.
WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE, WHAT WERE YOU KNOWN FOR? Crying. I would cry at the drop of a hat. I was scared of everything, and I was too emotional and way too sensitive. It was so debilitating that I had to force myself to not be emotional as I got older. I don’t think I’ve cried in decades. It’s probably not very healthy.
“I have no interest in making things that people consider homework.”
WHAT QUESTION DO YOU ASK YOURSELF MOST OFTEN WHILE YOU’RE MAKING WORK? Does anyone want to see this? Is this something that, if I saw a trailer for it and it wasn’t me who made it, I would actually be excited to watch? Is it entertaining? I have no interest in making things that people consider homework.
IF YOU COULD ATTRIBUTE YOUR SUCCESS TO A SINGLE QUALITY, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Tenacious ambition. I’ve always known what I’ve wanted, and I’ve done everything in my power to get it. But I’ve also tried to do it as morally and as kindly as I can. Achieving your goals by ruining other people’s days holds no interest to me. If you can get what you want and still have people like and respect you, that’s the ultimate achievement. And it’s just how you should run your life as a member of society.
in your life?
