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'E.T.' was the movie that made me want to make movies in the first place, and it was the first movie that made me focus on writing instead of what happens in the movie.

'E.T.' depended absolutely on the concept of cinema, and I think that Steven Spielberg, who I'm very fond of, is a genius.

I don't know if there aren't any films like 'E.T.' anymore. I just feel that the industry has changed so much. There are so many outlets now.

'E.T.' was a healing movie; it was a heart movie. It was all about getting about getting home and love.

When I did 'E.T.,' it sort of solidified the only family I know are these film crews. These gypsies. These filmmakers. That was the solidification and the clicking revelations of 'This is what I want to do with my life and this is where I'm going to survive.'

A lot of kids only know 'E.T.' from the digitally-enhanced version.

I'd love to work with the Coen brothers. And Steven Spielberg. 'E.T.' was big for me.

Cinema is a worldwide phenomenon.

Cinema is incredibly concise.

I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from 'Empire of the Sun,' who'd never made a movie before.