As delicate as 'Guy and Madeline' was, it was important that 'Whiplash' come off as more of a fever dream.

I love movies where you can sense that the director risked biting off more than they can chew.

My version of a stress dream is, really, showing up on a concert stage with a drum set and not knowing the chart.

I remember moving out to L.A. straight after college and just starting to try to write scripts and trying to get stuff off the ground.

There something to be said for having even unrealistic dreams. Even if the dreams don't come true - that, to me, is what's beautiful about Los Angeles. It's full of these people who have moved there to chase these dreams.

The greatest thing has been that projects that were pipe dreams before 'Whiplash' are now feeling more realistic.