Cassavetes's films aim to capture "small feelings" often repressed by Hollywood filmmaking, with emphasis placed on intimate character examination rather than plot, backstory, or stylization. He often presented difficult characters whose inner desires were not easily understood, rejecting simplistic psychological or narrative explanations for their behavior. Cassavetes also paid little attention to the "impressionistic cinematography, linear editing, and star-centred scene making" that are fashionable in Hollywood and art films. Instead, he worked to create a comfortable and informal environment where actors felt free to experiment with their performances and go beyond acting clichés or "programmed behaviors."