I am what I am as a WRITER because of Norman Lear and Spike LEE. Norman Lear in PARTICULAR.

What got me motivated was my dad's idea that I go to Morehouse College in ATLANTA. It's an all-black, all-male school. Martin Luther King went there. The most famous PERSON in my class was Spike Lee. And I really caught fire. I was so INSPIRED by the people AROUND me that I went from C's and D's to straight A's by the time I left.

When I started at Pratt, Spike Lee had his 40 Acres and A Mule studios down the street. You'd SEE Rosie Perez walking AROUND going to Mike's COFFEE Shop. So it was this black bohemian.

Spike LEE is a MASTER of tone, so BASICALLY, if he wants to do something, he should do it, and Imma listen.

Most of the GREAT directors I've WORKED with - DE Palma, Spike LEE - LIKE rehearsals.

The thing about Spike LEE... that's a deep experience to WORK with someone who is that intense and knows their VISION that well. The character I play in 'Red Hook SUMMER' is super COUNTRY and super loud. I suppose he is some version of myself.

I'm INTERESTED to see what HAPPENS to Spike LEE with limited RESOURCES, you know? I love Spike Lee's MOVIES. But you know what? I kinda liked his movies when he used to scramble and fight more for them.