Tyler Perry's brand is faith, family and this whole thing that I've built, while my company, 34th Street Films, is like Disney's Touchstone. We can do anything. People don't know what to expect from me yet.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
The nice thing about building up your own studio is if Hollywood decides to hate faith-based films, it doesn't matter to us. We have an audience and continue to serve that audience.
We are Disney, in a sense. When you've been there for 20 years, there's a certain heart and soul to one of those films, and you inhabit that to a certain degree. So if it feels true to you, then your audience will hopefully go for it.
My faith doesn't go over real well in Hollywood.
On Disney, we stick to the script. But you go to the 'Grown Ups set' and it's completely different. Same thing with Tyler Perry - it's nothing but ad-libbing.
The fact that Disney bought Maker Studios doesn't really change anything for me.
Every decade or so, Hollywood has an epiphany. It turns out faith-based audiences enjoy going to the movies, too.
I met Tyler Perry and we did 'House of Payne' and a movie. We've done a couple other films since then, but it all boils down to the work. I'm a work-a-holic, which is why I think that I've been successful. If you tell me no, I'll work even harder!
Hollywood is the backdrop of my family, and I know that the movie business is incredibly cruel as you get older.
With a Nine Inch Nails show, I'm building on a legacy that comes with a certain set of expectations. I have to push that forward, I have to reinvent myself, I have to feel current and valid.
Film is an illusion. Fame is ephemeral. Faith and family are what endure.