But the roles of TV host and independent film director do seem somewhat diametrically opposed.

That's the funny thing about "Survivor" -- it's an unscripted show for everyone, myself included. It's an organic process that's based strictly on theme: This is the theme of the show, certain tenets are always going to hold true, but within that box anything goes. So, to me, it's storytelling. When I'm out there I know what my objective is in terms of telling the story. If there's one person that I want to highlight, I try to subtly draw them out and then get out of the way. You're sort of directing, in a way.

Tribal Council now is Mark and me, 10 minutes before Tribal Council saying, "What should we talk about?" Let's talk about trust tonight and see how it impacts the game. Then, it's like a journalist's or therapist's job: You just go exploring. Everyone wants to talk, you've just got to find a way to get them to talk.

Speaking of people who like to listen to themselves talk: "Survivor: The Australian Outback" contestant Jerri Manthey's also in a short film here at the Sonoma Film Festival, a short called "Destiny" about a woman who has an abortion.

I know. The director came up to me at another film festival I was at in L.A. and afterward told me she was thinking of casting Jerri in a short. I said my take with Jerri is that what you see is what you get; and you know if that's what you want.

Do you see parallels in the themes in "Survivor" and "Finder's Fee"?

In "Survivor" and "Finder's Fee," specifically, it is about what you would do if you could get away with it. "Survivor" is about your own integrity and where you draw your own ethical and moral lines. There are no rules: In that sense, "Survivor" is like rock 'n' roll -- you can do what you want. After the first "Survivor" I came back and was doing a rewrite on "Finder's Fee," and changed the ending after watching what happens to friendships when trust is destroyed.

There are guys out in the island right now in Marquesas that audience members hate because of the way they are playing. And we tell them that's OK. There are no rules: If you are a lawyer and you come on "Survivor" you can tell people you are a truck driver, or that you have been married 12 times and have had tough times with relationships. But no one has done that yet: No one has come out and played a total lie. People give it up too soon.

Are there any "Survivor" contestants you wanted to win that didn't?

I don't not wish that Richard won, because he was masterful, but the only time I was really pulling for someone to win was Rudy. I loved the story of a 72-year-old military, homophobic, sexist, racist, lovable -- emphasis on lovable -- man, going from this guy who everyone at first was, like, "Get this sonofabitch off the island," to "Oh I want Rudy around." His authenticity was so genuine that you went, "I love you, you are who you are." He stood out for me. Anytime I talk to kids about who does well, I always bring that up: There's something to be said for embracing who you are.

I think that's why Richard won, and not Kelly. Because at the very end, it was a close vote, there was a lot of dissension. But after 39 days of trampling on people and backbiting, Kelly said "I hope nobody took it personally, forgive me if I was mean, it was just a game." Richard said, "I kicked your ass, give me the vote."

When I heard that, I thought, I'd vote for you. If you knock me down, put your fucking foot on my chest and spit on me. But don't offer me a hand up and say you didn't mean it. You could never beat that episode.

What are the pros and cons of having been associated with "Survivor"?

Not only do I not think there have been any cons, I think the pros have completely changed the way I live my life. Every day I get more and more honest. In the grand scheme of things, professionally it's given me huge awareness with the industry and the public, which only translates into a longer career and more money if you don't screw it up. I actually feel like in spite of the first seven or eight weeks when every reviewer wanted to vote me off the island, I'm optimistic enough to believe that now people actually get that I understand that "Survivor" is tongue-in-cheek -- I was there putting my own tongue in my own cheek. I feel good about the work I do on "Survivor," and am proud of my contribution.

Do you think your "Survivor" fame will help sell "Finder's Fee"?

Nope. And I was actually surprised; I thought that because of the popularity of "Survivor," I could do so much press to promote and go to every city. But there's still a stigma: You got a little movie, you're the host of a TV show, there's no way to blend those two worlds. I think they are wrong, and we will prove that we can find a little audience for our movie. But it's a marathon, not a sprint, and I'm not going anywhere.

I've had a good run, and I will ride this motherfucker down until it crashes me on the sand. Count on it. You'll see me washed up at the beach in Malibu someday saying, well, this was fun.

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