"I don't talk directly to the chimps. Because their trainers are like their parents - they've bonded with their trainers, they love their trainers, they want to please their trainers, so their trainers are the only people who can give them direction. I talk to the trainer - can the chimp do this particular thing, these expressions - and the trainer relays it."

Explain the directing process

"I'm basically looking at the script and each line we have to do I'm reading in my head as I watch the chimp and then I give the cue to stop. And we do it until I feel we have the right expression and I'll also give little directions like show more teeth.

Working with these chimps so much, I'm learning the specific things each chimp can do - particular faces, particular funny faces they might do. When I'm shooting the chimps, looking at the monitor, I find myself helping and trying to encourage them with my face - I look like a chimp myself trying to get more expression out of them."