The Holdovers, the latest film from Academy Award-winning director Alexander Payne, is being shot in Boston. A respite from filming allowed him to sit down and talk about how he’s grown over time, both as an individual and as a filmmaker.

Since Payne’s first film, Citizen Ruth, was released in 1996, Hollywood’s film business has evolved greatly. Some things are the same but I am 60 years old, so I have some experience,” adds Payne. ‘Citizen Ruth’ came out while I was 35 years old. In other words, I’ve been at it for 25 years now in an attempt to make it a career. In my opinion, there’s nothing more fulfilling in life than going out and taking pictures.”

Moviemaking is no less complicated because of that experience. In his own words, “I can’t claim it gets any easier,” Alexander Payne acknowledges. I’m sure there are some periods when it gets easier, but it is really difficult to obtain a concept and then flesh it out and secure finance for it.”

Alexander Payne’s Award-Winning Career: A Chronology

Payne has learned a lot about filmmaking since he made Citizen Ruth in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was born and raised. I am a little experienced and I know something about how to make films; that’s not fake modesty, “he explains. Because I feel like I’m just beginning — that I’m still in the beginning stages of my career in cinema.

That doesn’t make any sense. Even though I’ve been doing this for years, I’m still a rookie.” For instance, as I sat here preparing for this interview, I was contemplating how I’m going to shoot the forthcoming scene in The Holdovers. What should I do? Alexander Payne says, “And then I figure out everything I need to accomplish.” “As you age, your body degenerates, but your mind sharpens.”

Every set Payne has appeared in, from Election to Nebraska to Downsizing to Sideways to About Schmidt has helped him hone his craft. In 2005 for Sideways, he won an Oscar; in 2012, for The Descendants, he won another.

He has a reputation for crafting darkly amusing comedies that are both enjoyable and thought-provoking. However, “comedies based on real-life circumstances” is Payne’s definition of a comedy. Movies that succeed for me have components of both drama and comedy, which are underrepresented in today’s cinema.” Life is more like a chord progression than a single note. In this song, you’ll hear a lot of low-pitched black and blue tones. Because of this, I believe or hope that my films have a sense of humour that is genuine and not sappy, but that allows the emotions to stand out in contrast. What’s hilarious might stand out in contrast to what’s dramatic.”