Four years ago, the co-writer of “Pulp Fiction” and “True Romance” — as well as the director of “Killing Zoe” and “The Rules of Attraction” — faced a situation far more disturbing than anything depicted in his movies. Driving under the influence in Ojai, Calif., Avary got into an accident that killed his friend Andreas Zini.

Released on bail, Avary was eventually charged with vehicular manslaughter and pled guilty, serving time in a one-year work furlough and then later behind bars for eight months. Reasonably enough, he discusses the incident with trepidation. “I spend nearly every waking moment thinking about how I can live my life in such a way as to honor this absolutely terrible loss that occurred,” he said.

The answer has slowly come to him with new work. Based on the sheer volume of projects currently in his queue, Avary may have entered the most productive period of his career, not to mention an entirely different stage of artistic expression.

Roger Avary’s First Post-Prison Interview: Where His Career Will Take Him Next