I, like many people, had some sort of preconception about Madonna. One of the preconceptions was that she had the extraordinary work ethic, which turned out to be absolutely true.
I've never done anything comedic. In all the years I've been an actor, I've never delivered one comedic line.
All directors on all sets behave slightly differently depending on what the scene is. For example, if you are doing a love scene, which is intimate then the director is likely to be intimate. If you are doing a scene where everyone is mucking around and laughing then the director is likely to start with that. If you are playing a scene which us incredibly heavy and everyone getting killed then there are probably not many laughs on the set.
I respect journalism. I was always very aware of journalism from a very broad point of view, but I'd say my baptism by fire was doing the Donald Margulies play Time Stands Still. That for me was a real education because I spent a lot of time with some incredible journalists, war reporters particularly - Bob Woodruff, Dexter Filkins - people who were very helpful in painting the picture for me and reading the accounts of people and what they experienced, a lot of PTSD.
Baddies always do get the best lines, that's the honest truth.
It was only when I finished the course and left my graduation diploma on the bus that I realized I'd become an actor.
I know that Madonna is not a first-time filmmaker, but I have worked with a lot of first time filmmakers and I have worked with a lot of inexperienced film directors so that never has particularly worried me - I find it quite exciting - but I have never worked with a director who has had so little experience of directing who was so prepared.
There are lots of people I admire and respect, but I don't necessarily want to be like them. I'm to happy being myself.
The good guy only gets the girl in a soppy way.
I'm attracted to seeing how different I can be, pushing the boat out.
I'm not really very ambitious.
I'm more interested in enjoying my life and looking after my family than being hugely successful.
I just love working. I really enjoy the work, whatever it is.
Madonna is the most famous woman on the planet and has been for a number of decades.
It felt good doing a physical job, and going home each evening feeling like I had really done a day's work.