Summary
Newcomer directorMalcolm Washingtonhas studied under the greatest directors living today.
The film also starsRay FisherandMichael Potts.
Washington was kind enough to sit down with Colliders ownSteve Weintraubto talk aboutThe Piano Lesson.
Image via Netflix
COLLIDER: First of all, congratulations.
You did a great job with this.
What was that like for you before stepping on set that first day?
Image via Netflix
MALCOLM WASHINGTON: That day was nerve-wracking, and exciting, and stressful, and also peaceful.
When you look up, and you’re like, Whoa, I’m living in my purpose.
I’m doing the thing that I’ve always wanted to do.
So, you just have to get to work.
you’re able to’t even stress about it.
Samuel L. Jackson Was an Inspiration From Take One
Oh yeah, we got Sam.
Image via Netflix
Sam’s a movie star doing movie star stuff.
Obviously, Sam is a Titan, and he’s worked with August Wilson since the ’80s.
WASHINGTON: It’s so cool because they bring so much experience into the room.
Follows the lives of the Charles family as they deal with themes of family legacy and more, in deciding what to do with an heirloom, the family piano.
We’re doing something important."
Sam’s a movie star doing movie star stuff.
I’m so excited to work with it.
Did you have deleted scenes?
What was it like in the editing room for this one?
I worked with a hero of mine, and an incredible editor, in Leslie Jones.
Once we got working together, we became really kindred spirits.
There are a lot of things that ended up on the cutting room floor.
Dancing between all these rhythms and languages and tones was really what we spent a lot of time balancing.
Washington and Deadwyler also discuss their Grammy-winning co-star and translating August Wilson’s stageplay to screen.
It’s been building towards it, but it needs to feelearnedwhen you get there.
Talk a little bit about figuring out how to get there, and then the third act.
The Legacy of Adapting August Wilson to Film
I represent a different generation.
Are you already thinking about doing another one?
Because you obviously know what you’re doing.
WASHINGTON: Thank you.
What’s been so exciting about this is that this is the third one so far.
There have been three different voices that have brought their voice to it.
George C. Wolfe is an iconic theater director, and he works in a kind of way, cinematically.
My dad also comes from performance-driven stuff, and that was evident in his adaptation.
The Piano Lessonis now streaming on Netflix.
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