I remember people - not my family - always asking, 'Oh, so are you going to make movies when you're older?' I felt pressured, and that always kind of deterred me.

Costumes say a lot about a character. When it came to 'Palo Alto,' it was important for me that the kids didn't look perfect. In most teen movies today, all of the clothes are expensive. I remember wearing a lot of dirty vintage clothes.

I remember teachers who really singled me out for their discouragement.

Movies are a collaboration, I feel, so I didn't think of myself as an authoritative figure as much.

I just remember that pivotal moment when you're a young adult, and you realize that these authority figures are human beings, too, and they're figuring out their lives just as you are, and they're flawed.

My family and I are so close, it's important to have a close knit relationship and to make time to spend with each other, especially at the holidays.