Something is happening to you. This is not for … you’re doing more and more. Man, I got kids now. And it really changes your perspective on the world. And, you know, I’ve had my day. I’ve had my day. I made some films and I’ve really had a very fortunate life. And it’s time for me to share that a bit.

Angie says that having children really changes things.  It’s true. It changes … it completely changes your perspective. And certainly takes the focus off yourself, which I’m really grateful for. [laughs]  I’m really grateful to them.

You tell … I’m so tired of thinking about myself. I’m kinda sick of myself… I can’t do justice to it anymore than any other parent can. You feel that you want to be there and you don’t want to miss out on anything… And it’s a true joy. And you want to be there for them if they need anything. It’s a true joy.

Love. Yeah, it’s … oh, a very profound love. Yeah.

Wonderful.  Best thing I ever did. You know, you can write a book, you can make a movie, you can draw, paint a painting, but having kids is really the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever taken on. And, man, if I can get a burp out of that, that little thing, I’ll feel such a sense of accomplishment.

Read the full interview after the jump.  The video of Brad Pitt’s interview with Today Show’s Ann Curry is below.  The recording is kinda bootleg but it’s the best available right now!  Check it.  Brad Pitt screencaps from Ann Curry’s interview in the gallery!

VIEW :: Check out the designs of the six finalists from Brad Pitt’s Global Green competition.

Brad Pitt by: Ann Curry

Brad Pitt recently teamed up with the non-profit group Global Green to try and spur green-friendly building in the Crescent City. I’m baffled because the people here on the ground have not gotten the money yet. They have not received restitution.

Nearly a year after Katrina, Brad Pitt sees first hand a city still ravaged. We can get in the car from this spot and we can drive for two hours and you will see this. We will see more of this. And it’s staggering. It’s unsettling.

By some estimates something like half — 50% — of this city is still abandoned. Yeah, it’s shocking. In one of our greatest cities. But you see it, it’s house on top of house on top of car. And this is a story you’ll find street after street… Imagine going through the trauma of this, of watching everything you own be swept away, maybe loss of life, and then sitting in this limbo for a year. Wanting to get your life back. But not knowing whether it’s even possible. Are there gonna be schools here? Are the hospitals gonna be up and running? Are your neighbors gonna be back here?

To this shattered city Pitt is bringing a new idea called green design — that is, a way to rebuild using materials that are less harmful to the environment, and cheaper for people to live in. Right now 45% of our pollution comes from the creation of our buildings and the operation of our buildings, which is a staggering number.

Not only are you talking about it, you put some money into this project? Yeah, sure I’m sponsoring this competition. I’m invested in this competition.

About 100,000 dollars? So far. But my goal is to see something tangible, to see something built that can become an example, a template … a flagship for other people who are facing rebuilding.

What do you say to people who react by thinking, you know what, this type of housing is too far-fetched for people that needed houses yesterday? Absolutely. And building quickly and building with as little labor force as possible. We are sitting here in the middle of New Orleans and they have a shortage of homes, rent rates are through the roof. A family living here is struggling with $100 a month in electricity bills, $200 dollars a month and you can get that .. you can knock that down 90 percent, where it’s $10, $20 dollars and it is possible. And relatively easy as soon as we change our building practices.

Something is happening to you. This is not for … you’re doing more and more. Man, I got kids now. And it really changes your perspective on the world. And, you know, I’ve had my day. I’ve had my day. I made some films and I’ve really had a very fortunate life. And it’s time for me to share that a bit.

Angie says that having children really changes things.  It’s true. It changes … it completely changes your perspective. And certainly takes the focus off yourself, which I’m really grateful for. [laughs]  I’m really grateful to them.

You tell … I’m so tired of thinking about myself. I’m kinda sick of myself… I can’t do justice to it anymore than any other parent can. You feel that you want to be there and you don’t want to miss out on anything… And it’s a true joy. And you want to be there for them if they need anything. It’s a true joy.

Love. Yeah, it’s … oh, a very profound love. Yeah.

Wonderful.  Best thing I ever did. You know, you can write a book, you can make a movie, you can draw, paint a painting, but having kids is really the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever taken on. And, man, if I can get a burp out of that, that little thing, I’ll feel such a sense of accomplishment.