Radio with Pictures producer (and future MTV boss) Brent Hansen talked to David Bowie, while he was in Auckland to co-star in film Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence. His darker 1970s days behind him, Bowie proves a relaxed and charming interviewee. Following a triumphant Broadway run in The Elephant Man, he discusses finding screen acting more invigorating than stage acting, the use of his songs in other people's films, and his own directing aspirations. Bowie explains the cut-up technique of writing learned from William S Burroughs, and provides early hints about his next album (the hugely successful Let’s Dance).