Most of us live in artificial environments and then we go to work in artificial environments and the world becomes something that you see through a window. Alan Ball More Quotes by Alan Ball More Quotes From Alan Ball I'm not a believer in luck, but I do believe you need it. Alan Ball luck football believe There are times when I am directing, and there are a couple of moments I didn't get the way I wanted, but I know I still have other angles to shoot and I have to be done by noon; I move on. Alan Ball noon couple moving I know a lot of shows are like, 'Here's the pages,' right before they start filming. I'd have a heart attack. The anxiety would be way too much for me. I don't have as strong a backbone as those other show writers. Alan Ball anxiety strong heart I definitely see the good in people. Certainly in my own life I strive to be somebody who is functional and well adjusted and can face conflict in a non-emotional and non-destructive way, and those are the people I try to surround myself with in my life. But as characters, they bore me. Alan Ball emotional character people As a writer, it's fun to create. And once you get into a long-running show with very established characters and a very established tone and format, after a while it's a really great job, but that's what it is - a job. Alan Ball running fun jobs I really love storytelling, and I love the stories as they reveal themselves. It's an incredibly nourishing process; it's probably the closest I come to having a religion. Alan Ball storytelling process stories I am so spoiled. I cannot watch a show where it gets interrupted for ads. I have to TiVo it and skip through the ads, because the culture of advertising is so false and phony that I just... ugh, you know? Alan Ball ugh watches culture You know, I'm gay and I grew up being aware of that at a very early age, in a fairly repressed family. Alan Ball gay grew-up age When I go home, the last thing I want to do is read about the popular lore of vampires. Alan Ball vampire want home I'm a Buddhist, so one of my biggest beliefs is, 'Everything changes, don't take it personally.' Alan Ball buddhist belief I don't really know what it is about vampires that makes them such a powerful symbol, metaphor, whatever in people's consciousness. But I do know they're tremendously powerful. I mean, there's a vampire on 'Sesame Street.' And Count Chocula. I don't know why it's so powerful. Alan Ball street know powerful people I think there's a lot of interesting stuff on TV. I feel much more optimistic about TV than I do about movies. There will always be good movies but I think, for the most part, it's always going to be a huge fight to get those movies made. TV is the best place to be as a writer, I think. Alan Ball feel fight best good