The Soloist - Summary notes

Production of The Soloist;

Dream Works pictures and Universal Pictures present in Association with StudioCanal anf Participant Media A Krassnoff/Fpster Entertainment Production in Association with Working Title FIlms "The Soloist" starring Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr. Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander ans LisaGay Hamilton. The film is directed by Joe Wright from a screenplay by Susannah Grant based on the book by Steve Lopez. Producers; Gary Foster and Russ Krasnoff.
Distributed by Paramount Pictures Corporation.

Lopez on Nathaniel; ' an irresistable true-life character.'

To take Foxx through a musical boot camp, the team recruited Ben Hong a LA Philharmonic cellist, who had the advantage of being a real-life friend of Ayers, and  was also familiar with his musical style (Hong later recorded tracks for Foxx to play on screen, as an homage to Ayers). Hong knew they would both have to work hard to get Foxx to a cellist of Ayers’ exceptional talent and skill.

Wright saw an exciting oppertunity to bring Hollywood and British realism together.
The final days of shooting took place in Cleveland, Ohio, where Ayers andhis two real-life sisters grew up.

Exucutive Producer Patricia Whitcher - 'We were very lucky tohave Joe’s creative team because they’re an incredibly talented and dedicatedgroup of people. From day one, it was always about doing right by Nathaniel andSteve’s story and giving the film a very subtle and authentic texture.'

Wright used an organic process and almost documentary approach when working with the homesless extras. In order to keep these diverse extras comfortable and relaxed in the new environment, Wright tried to maintain a very human atmosphere by keeping set down to a minimal.

“The Soloist” was allowed the honour to be the first motion picture to be filmed inside the auditorium of Los Angeles’ newest iconic building - the Frank Gehry designed Walt Disney Concert Hall, which plays a big part in the film. Foster said; “Deborah Borda, the LA Philharmonic’s CEO, Esa-Pekka Salonen
and the entire staff of the LA Philharmonic welcomed Nathaniel back to music, and they generously allowed us to recreate that great moment.”

Continuing with authenticity, “The Soloist” also became the first film production ever to shoot inside the editorial offices of the Los Angeles Times building, filming in the third floor’s Metro section, the original working space for Steve Lopez and colleagues. “People had shot in the building before but never in a working newsroom,” says producer Foster. “The then-publisher of the paper, David Hiller, just opened the doors and said, ‘Come in. This story is as much a part of us as anybody.’”