Even when you have a big budget, you can't just shoot everything.

The production team's first meeting took place at my house. I had ideas and a color scheme in mind, how I wanted the movie to look, because that has to be a real collaboration.

It goes back to a style of moviemaking I remember seeing as a child, in movies like The Man With The Golden Arm, which I think was shot all on a sound stage.

The riot isn't seen in the movie, but it is alluded to. He has this one speech that gives a great sense of texture and paints a picture of what was happening in Harlem then.

Then you give your actors broad strokes based on what your idea is for what is going on in the room and the circumstances surrounding it.

In today's competitive marketplace, you can't afford to be humble.