Melissa's Answer

Audience and the lack thereof. People aren't going to movies like they used to because they can get everything at home. I think to a filmmaker, we don't care if you can get it at home. To me, there's nothing like a 40 foot screen and a beautiful dolby sound system to do justice to what is often several years worth of work and one's life, but audiences just want to be entertained.

Celebrity. This has a huge effect on the industry. Who are they, what are they wearing, what project are they working on. Everyone wants to know the dirt on celebrities and I think the celebs need to use this constant annoyance and turn it into something positive like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. They use their star power to make an impression on the world, and I think they are the most amazing couple out there.

Stories. What we choose to make films about. It's no question we feed on violence these days, but I think we're making progress and talking about things that need to be talked about. Movies are a big part of the world, but they are also so small. Some people never go to them, or couldn't tell you the lead actor's name. We can't forget we aren't the center or the universe. But for the people who do watch, we should have something to say.