At Monday night’s Gotham Independent Film Awards, director Ava DuVernay took home the Breakthrough Series – Long Form award for When They See Us, which told the true story of the Exonerated Five.

The Oscar-nominated director gave several tips on directing. “Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I don’t know the answer,’” she told the audience. “You don’t have to know all the answers. More than half the people’s job on the set is to help you find the answers.”

DuVernay, who also directed Selma and A Wrinkle In Time, advised the audience to pay clear attention to the intention behind telling stories. She also threw in some other tips such as changing socks, hydrating and moisturizing.

“Remind yourself why you’re telling the story every morning on the way to set,” she said. “Why it’s important to you, what you want to say. Every single morning.”

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