Tim Story, the rapper turned filmmaker, has started his mainstream directing career in style with the surprise US box office smash "Barbershop". Story developed an interest in film at a young age and, after putting himself through film school, financed two independent films in the late 90s, "Us Tripped" and "The Firing Squad".

How did you find directing a big ensemble cast?

They all really got along and shared each other's space. We were a family by the time the movie was over. And we still are.

Tell us about your directing style...

I see filmmaking as a collaborative effort, so I'd listen to everybody and then, as the director, I'd choose what's best. If we have to do a couple of takes then we'll do it. I listened to everybody - the studio, the producers, the actors. I wanted everybody to be proud of what they were doing.

Why is there a white guy in the barbershop?

Well, that's Isaac, the white character who boasts he's probably blacker than most characters in the movie! Hip-hop is a culture now. It's not race any more. We wanted to represent all groups in the movie.

Why is the barbershop such a good vehicle for a movie?

A guy I once met said a barbershop is like a website. You log in, get information, and go. So that's what it is. Everyone gets information about anything and everything, and in the movie you'll see it's at the heart of the community.