By Peter Bowes In Los Angeles

Denzel Washington is being tipped as a possible Oscar contender for his directorial debut on the low budget drama Antwone Fisher, which is based on a true story.

Washington, who was named best actor at last year's Academy Awards for Training Day, has been widely praised for his work in the director's chair.

About Antwone Fisher

Antwone Fisher was born in 1959 He was abandoned by his family as a baby and suffered an abusive childhood Later, he was kicked out of the US Navy for repeated fighting A psychiatrist helped him overcome his violent past Fisher decided to find his real family He also became a Sony Pictures security guard He wrote a movie screenplay about his life - and was "discovered"

"It's much more demanding," says Washington, who has acted in more than 30 films. I had fun but there were long days and short nights."

Antwone Fisher is based on the true story of the writer's tortured early life.

Fisher was a security guard at the Sony studio in Hollywood when he wrote the screenplay about his days as a troubled sailor.

The film tells the story of Fisher's lonely and abusive childhood.

Newcomer Derek Luke plays the title role

Later, as a young sailor, he has a short fuse, a quick temper and his fights with other recruits lead to a therapy session with the naval psychologist, played by Washington.

Much of the intense drama focuses on the counselling sessions and Fisher's search for his true identity.

The heartbreaking story ends in some highly emotional scenes where Fisher finally finds happiness.

"It was a long casting process," explains Washington, who spent four years on the pre-production side of the movie.

Non-stop schedule

The newcomer, Derek Luke, a talented young actor with no previous film experience, plays Fisher.

"I couldn't find the person I wanted and I eventually realised that I wanted an unknown - I didn't want any preconceived ideas about who this person was - I wanted you to meet Antwone and believe that's him," says Washington.

"I wanted young people who maybe are going through these hardships to be able to relate to these people on the screen."

Just because I'm a good actor doesn't mean that I'm going to be any good as a director Denzel Washington

Washington, who was first nominated for an Oscar in 1988, for his supporting role in Cry Freedom, says his overriding memory of being a director is one of working around the clock.

"I was so prepared - I didn't sleep the night before. But I was so prepared it was almost like a little bit of acting like a director," he explains.

"We had a tough couple of days - the first few days we were like shooting scenes, we actually had to shoot the scene where he meets his uncle and aunt for the first time.

"The next day we had to shoot the whole thing with the family and I was like making it up as I went along - just act like you know what you're doing," he says, with a laugh.

Cheap movie

Antwone Fisher was released by Fox Searchlight Pictures and produced for $13m (�8m) - a tiny budget by today's standards.

Washington says he never objected to the studio's obvious caution in the finance department.

"If it was my money I'd be concerned too," he says. "Just because I'm a good actor doesn't mean that I'm going to be any good as a director."

Washington won his Oscar for Training Day

He added that he did not want the responsibility of making a movie that may struggle to earn its money back at the box office.

"Cheap movies can be good," he says.

"It's a crap shoot, sometimes you win sometimes you lose. Certain films can't be made for $13m no matter what you do.

"You know, you've got these actors with all these big salaries."

While Washington is satisfied with the end product, he has reservations about taking on so much responsibility on Antwone Fisher.

"The acting and directing is not something that I'd like to try again," he explains.

He says the financial restraints and the problems of working with an inexperienced cast added to the burden.

'Hooked' on directing

"It was more difficult because I had these young actors - especially working with Derek - I really wanted to keep my eye on him and help him out.

"Now I've got to jump in the film and go back, look at myself in the video, which I'm not used to doing, and keep an eye on him - that was kind of tough."

Despite the difficulties, Washington admits he's "hooked" on the process of directing and intends to do it again.

However, he is quick to point out that he will never allow Hollywood to dominate his life.

"I'm not a film buff - never have been," he says.

"I'm a sports nut. I don't watch a lot of movies, I don't really go to the movies."

"Acting used to be my life - it's making a living now."