Bradley Cooper may have only directed two films, but he already knows how to exact his “vision” as a filmmaker.

The “Maestro” helmer revealed during Variety’s Directors on Directors in discussion with auteur Spike Lee that he does not allow chairs on the set of his films. Cooper directed “A Star Is Born” and “Maestro” to date, with the actor spending six years crafting Leonard Bernstein ode “Maestro” on which he served as co-writer, director, producer, and lead star.

“I spent 20 years acting in movies. I was lucky enough that I had filmmakers who recognized that I don’t think like an actor — that I actually think in terms of the whole story. They were generous enough to allow me to come with them on their journey,” Cooper said. “I was in one role for so many years, [but in fact] I was a sort of quarterback, really getting to know the plays and reading defense. […] I was a filmmaker, but I was in the position of an actor.”