Quotes By Carter Burwell

The jarring change going from an urban environment to an extremely remote natural environment is extremely inspiring. It's constantly stimulating, it's like a slap in the face.

I write music to please myself. Hopefully the director's enjoying it too.

I think I've only done one horror movie, Psycho III. That was a walk in the park compared to a romantic comedy.

I almost never try to make the audience comfortable. I wouldn't want that if I were in the audience.

I prefer a life in which we don't take ourselves too seriously.

John Barry was my hero when I was about 13. His scores to the James Bond movies were the scores of my life back then.

How does my music connect to an audience? That is just a complete mystery to me.

I like the fact that New York looks a bit backwards, toward the Old World, rather than resolutely forwards.

If someone suddenly lost their director the day before shooting and wanted me to step in, I'd be willing to. But I'd do brain surgery the same way. I'm always up for something new.

John Barry was the first film composer I was aware of. As a teenager I owned several of his Bond soundtracks.

I don't find myself lobbying for projects. Filmmakers almost always come to me.

I'm one of those people who is actually inspired by a deadline. I might not sleep for many days on end, it may not be good for my health, but it definitely helps.