indieWIRE invited all of the directors in the U.S. dramatic and documentary competition to participate in an email interview as a way of introducing them to our readers. Robinson Devor's film, "Police Beat," is screening in the American Dramatic Competition.

Please tell us about yourself and include as much of the following information as you feel comfortable with:

Day job (if you have one) and former jobs. No day job. Past jobs: moving furniture, day spa, kennel, runner, vice president PR Where you were born. Northern Westchester County, NY. Where you grew up. Where you live. Seattle

Did you go to film school?
SMU - undergrad BFA in film.

Or how did you learn about filmmaking?
Going to rep houses in CT and Manhattan.

How did you finance your own film?
Private equity.

Where did the initial idea for your film come from?
Charles's column, POLICE BEAT in The Stranger

What are your biggest creative influences (this could include other filmmakers or films)?
Herzog, Bergman, Wells, Wilder

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in either developing the project or making the movie?
The non-narrative aspect. I didn't even bother shopping the script around LA or NY.

Tell us about the moment you found out that you were accepted into Sundance, where were you?
Retreating at my mother's house in the the wilds of North Carolina. I was urgently awaiting news as to whether I was going to get a job working on a Christmas tree lot.

And we'd love to hear more about how you've spent the last month preparing for the festival.
Color, sound, adding lushness to the film.

What do you hope to get out of the festival, what are your own goals for the experience?
Being here, being recognized, being amongst talented peers - that is the victory. Everything else is gravy.

What is your definition of “independent film”?
Stories that need little development by others.

If you were given $10 million to be used for moviemaking, how would you spend it?
That's it?

Since Sundance 2005 on Inauguration Day, what advice would you give President Bush as he begins his second term?
Read more.

What are some of your favorite films, and why? What was your top ten list for 2004?
The Trail
Sunset Boulevard
Black Sunday