40 years since making The Color of Money.
I had the privilege as a young artist, to have a general meeting with Paul Newman and separately with Martin Scorsese years before making this film, where they shared some of their wisdom on cinema.
Of course, I’d seen their films, but prior to meeting them for the first time, I set up a personal study course where I would watch their films in sequence from the beginning of their careers, up until that point in time.
After being cast in The Color of Money, I once again studied all of their films in sequence.
Having studied their work, then being able to see firsthand these incredible artists, the towering legends of our field, at work on set, I was able to observe their practical application in every aspect of acting and filmmaking from their point of view.
I will always be grateful for this opportunity and for the generosity that Newman and Scorsese showed me with their knowledge of cinema and insight throughout the entire process.
To Marty, Paul, and the enormously talented cast and crew, it was a pleasure and an honor to be part of this film with you all! I have carried this experience and knowledge with me my entire career.
I work for WWE but watch a lot of wrestling worldwide. This goes for all wrestlers in all companies. I have worked in Wrestling for 42 years. An observation. We are portraying trained pro fighters with instincts ( even comedy bouts). If you don’t win you would make less money in the story we’re telling. Every TV bout , if there’s a pin, the cameras focus in. Please pin and kick out like your life and career depend on it. In story, it does. I’ve also been a part of knowing most talent since the 2000’s in many companies. As time goes by younger talent copy their favourite of film. I recently watch AJ Styles v Amazing Red from the early 2000’s. I see how many people copied them. What I saw was every pin was aggressively applied and shoulders covered and stacked. Every kick out they kicked out like their life depended on it. Something has been lost in the last 20 + years. Let’s not insult the intelligence of our audience who are giving us their precious time. In a fight scene in a movie ( which is what wrestling is) we know the punches don’t really hit but if we saw that we would eventually stop watching it. Your audience and fans deserve better. If you can’t be uncomfortable for a few seconds being stacked up in a pin, maybe this isn’t for you.