Brad Pitt says he felt "lost" when he first started out in Hollywood.
The actor has been appearing on screen since the '80s, but it's only recently that the 50-year-old star has started to feel at ease with listening to his gut.
"When I was starting out, I didn't really follow my instincts," he admitted to the British edition of OK! magazine.
"I felt kind of lost. You get a lot of advice from people who are trying to advance your career and make money off you - and that isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it isn't always going to lead you to make good films.
"But eventually I figured out that I was in the game to tell personal stories. I wanted to be able to add something to a film that was different to what anyone else could bring."
Pitt's latest venture is 12 Years a Slave, which picked up the best motion picture prize at the Oscars earlier in March.
He says he feels "proud" of the movie, but is now keen to focus on his producing career, as it will allow him to see more of fiancee Angelina Jolie and their six children.
"I do still enjoy acting but I like spending more time at home with my family, and that's something you can't always do if you're spending three or four months away on a film set," he explained.
"As a producer, I get to work out of my home, I get to make the kids their breakfast, drive them to school and then be there for dinner."
