I like to work with the same people when I can, and you want to get people with the same interests that you have, and the same aesthetic. Spike Lee More Quotes by Spike Lee More Quotes From Spike Lee Because many advances have happened, we've lost the urgency (and that's just human nature) that we had before, when we couldn't vote, couldn't use mass transportation, or drink from the fountains. Spike Lee vote human-nature use A spine to my films that's become more evident to me is that many are about the choices people make, and the reverberations of those choices. You go this way, or that way, and either way, there's going to be consequences. Spike Lee choices people way Cause mo better makes it mo better. Spike Lee causes I'm always open to new, innovative stuff and people trying to do stuff in a different way. I knew that the theatrical release would be like getting on the launch pad for Amazon Prime but I was okay with that because I think what Jeff Bezos and Ted Hope are doing is innovative. Spike Lee trying people thinking I want to tell stories, I don't really try to get boxed in by a specific genre. Spike Lee stories want trying I miss my brother. Prince was a funny cat. Great sence of humor. Spike Lee cat brother missing Stick around long enough, you'll get some grace. Spike Lee sticks grace long I collect names for characters. Names are valuable; they can be your first source of insight into a character. Spike Lee names character firsts As we move toward the millennium, the year 2000, the most powerful nations are not those that have nuclear bombs, but those that control the media. That's where the battle is being fought; that is how you control people's minds. Spike Lee media powerful moving I'm always open. I try not to have a closed mind. In fact the only reason why I'm able to continue to make films since 1986 is I have been adaptable. If I weren't flexible I sure wouldn't be making films this many years as I've been doing it. I've been making a film a year almost since 1986 and that's hard. That ain't easy. Spike Lee mind trying years I never understood the concept of showing everything in the trailer. Why go to a movie if there's no surprise? I can't do it like that. Spike Lee trailers understood surprise '25th Hour,' like a lot of my films, takes place in New York City. I've been very fortunate to make films in the city that I live. I mean, it's great going home at night instead of being on location. Spike Lee new-york home mean A lot of times you get credit for stuff in your movies you didn't intend to be there. Spike Lee filmmaker credit stuff Right now a lot of people are still choosing to go to Toronto instead of shooting in New York City, something I haven't done and something I hope I'll never have to do. Spike Lee cities new-york people First of all, what in this world does not revolve around money? But money is a big part of film, unlike a lot of other art forms. Spike Lee doe world art I'm an independent filmmaker with complete creative control of my films. I hire who I want. I have final cut. But at the same time, I go directly to Hollywood for financing and distribution. I find it's best for me to work within the Hollywood system. Spike Lee independent cutting creative I think my work shows that I love women. I understand where these types of criticisms are coming from because black people have been so dogged out in the media, they're just extra sensitive. Spike Lee media people thinking There's a lot of Americans, black and white, who think that we've arrived where we need to be and nothing else needs to be done and affirmative action needs to be dismantled. Spike Lee black-and-white needs thinking I consider Madonna a friend, and she sure knows how to work the publicity machine. Of course, I don't have breasts. If I did have, I'd be in the number one spot over Madonna. Spike Lee publicity machines numbers Everything I do is always scrutinised. But that's all I'll say about that. Spike Lee