It isn't glamorous until after the film is finished, and you are at the premiere and getting your picture on the cover of magazines.

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

If you are making a film about a very famous individual you live or die by the person that's going to play the main role, ... In this film I'm in big trouble because everyone knows what Ray Charles looks like. Everyone knows his movements, everyone knows his vocal patterns.

I heard his story and I thought, 'My God, this is a great subject for a film,'

When I finish a film, I put it away and I never look at it again.

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.