Wilson, Dunst and Hudson: Big names, short subjects

Kirsten Dunst
Her short:Welcome, a modern-day ghost flick starring Winona Ryder.
Became a rookie director because: "The opportunity came along, and other people were paying for it," she says, jokingly. "It's something I've always wanted to try. Having somebody's story and aid in that process was really helpful for someone who has never done it."
Lessons learned: It's different on the other side of the lens. "You think you have control over everything, but you really don't. You really have to have a strong presence and be the leader, but there are always things that come up that are so unexpected, so you really have to roll with the punches."
She's happiest when: She's with her girlfriends, who are also her support system. "They're there through everything. They know you better than anybody."
Her on-the-set strategies: "I just had to focus on what I was doing and have confidence" in her vision. And, she adds, "You can also surround yourself with people who can help you keep your cool. You have to choose the people around you that can help you do the best job you can do."
The first movie that truly scared her was: It, the television miniseries based on the Stephen King novel, "and then The Exorcist, of course, at a slumber party."