“Writing for film is like being a sperm donor. They absolutely need you. They can’t do it without you, but once you’ve done your thing (they never want to see you again.) And don’t come to the birthdays – that’s weird if you show up for the birthday. You won’t be invited along.

(Do it in a room on your own.) And when you’re finished leave. And as you leave they sort of look at you like what kind of sick bastard does that for a living.”

– Jez Butterworth in an interview with Simon Stephens for the Royal Court Playwright’s Podcast, S3 Ep. 1, Jan. 3, 2019.

(Words in parentheses spoken by Simon Stephens.)