I really believe you can predict when someone has a great attitude, a real well of talent.

The score is always the wonderful icing. The score tells you the emotional content of the film. What the characters don't say, the music can say.

My creative partner is a writer, and he's got an executive producing credit on this film. We've made three films together and I would never underestimate the impact of a writer.

It's very clearly stated in the film: You make your own choices, and what you're always fighting is ego.

The whole concept of the devil is a metaphor on one level.

I'm not in front of the camera, they are. I encourage them; I build up as much of their confidence and ego as possible. They've got to take control; I can't act it out.

Ray Charles, in his own way, it's like at the beginning, Ray Charles changed American music, not once but twice.