I never leave the writer behind, because you rewrite the movie in post, or at least I do. I always do, and I feel like anybody who doesn't at least explore that possibility is short-changing themselves. Editing is the most fun and most exciting part of the process.
I had more fun making Traffic than either of the Ocean's films.
A real explosion is not only much more fun to shoot, it also helps the actors and creates an energy on set and ultimately in the scene.
Making a film that's supposed to be fun to watch is really hard - that's the weird irony of it.
I just produced Criminal, this remake of Nine Queens, and one of the things that appealed to me about Nine Queens is that it was a performance piece, and that's the most fun.
