Summary
In the 1980s, one man turned the game showPress Your Luckon its head.
you might watch the full conversation in the video above, or read the transcript below.
What do you want to tell people about the movie?
Image by Photagonist at TIFF
Do you think he cheated, or do you think he just figured something out?
SHAMIER ANDERSON: Definitely a controversial question, but I think he just found a loophole.
So, the short answer is: fair game.
Image by Photagonist at TIFF
I also don’t think he cheated.
What was it about this story and this material that said, I need to make this?
I thought it was worthy of a movie.
Image by Photagonist at TIFF
ANDERSON: I echo a lot of what Samir just said, but I got introduced to the part.
I got sent a script, a deck, and an offer to meet with Samir.
And I was just so excited to see Paul Walter Hauser dive into this guy’s brain.
Image by Photagonist at TIFF
It really is a human story on the backdrop of a game show.
He knew it right away in the audition.
So, I think those elements were exciting.
You got the waiver, and you assembled a murderer’s row of people.
Talk a little bit about putting together this great cast.
Who do you wanna go with?
Image via Lionsgate Films
They’re all out of work, and they wanna work.
It was really just a dream come true.
I felt like the luckiest man in America.
The thing is, it is true.
OLIVEROS: Good question.
I think it really was just about recreating the set as faithfully as possible.
Image by Photagonist at TIFF
ANDERSON: Which was an amazing set.
I was blown away.
It was so good.
May 1984. An unemployed ice cream truck driver steps onto the game show Press Your Luck harboring a secret: the key to endless money. But his winning streak is threatened when the bewildered executives uncover his real motivations.
Before this all happened, the board worked.
There are five patterns, and then, obviously, they changed it.
Did you purposely do the five patterns when you were programming?
OLIVEROS: Yes, it is five patterns.
But yeah, we did program the five patterns.
I dont know, did you feel like playing with the board?
ANDERSON: [Laughs] Personally, Im just bad at games, period, so no.
I would have embarrassed myself.
But I was just fascinated with the fact of how identical it looked.
When you walk into the studio, I felt like I was actually onPress Your Luck.
The audience was actually there.
They actually had the signs that said, Applause Now, Laugh Now.
I swear, if I had been on set I would have been like, Everyone needs to leave.
I need like 30 minutes to actually play.
ANDERSON: With no cash prizes, obviously.
No, I just want to push the button and see what I could actually do.
ANDERSON; And the thing actually turned around, which was really cool.
Again, I would have lost my mind.
Paul Walter Hauser, Are You Free for a Wrestling Movie?
Shamier Anderson is casting.
So, you see the shooting schedule in front of you.
OLIVEROS: Good question.
Same with all of the other characters.
That was a fun day, and it worked in our advantage.
What was your favorite?
Any day I got to do scenes with Paul.
He’s a funny guy on and off camera.
Did you talk about wrestling?
Shoutout Adam Copeland, who’s one of Paul’s favorite wrestlers.
He’s an icon.
But yes, we spoke about all the wrestling, and that’s what we talked about.
That guy is anavidwrestling fan.
No, I don’t think avid is the right word.
No, I dont think avid is the right word.
ANDERSON: Whats the word?
This man is anobsessive.
So, I would do a wrestling movie with Paul Walter Hauser tomorrow.
Trish Stratus, Adam Copeland, if you’re watching, you wanna make a movie?
Samirs gonna direct it.
I just offered you up, Samir.
Daniel, make it happen.
He manages Trish and Adam.
The biopic will tell the story of the famed ‘Saturday Night Live’ comedian.
I’m fascinated by the editing process because it’s where it all comes together.
How did this film possibly change in the editing room in ways you didn’t expect?
ANDERSON: I didnt know all this.
OLIVEROS: We did it in LA, and thatreallyended up polishing the movie.
The beats are landing.
We have a movie.
We have a crowd-pleaser.
Did you have a much longer cut originally?
OLIVEROS: Yeah, it was two hours and 20 minutes, the very first version of it.
Were there certain storylines or certain things that you had to cut?
ANDERSON: All my bad scenes are what got cut out of the movie.
He wants to spare the world all my shitty acting.
[Laughs] I dont think that’s true.
But really, it just became about rhythm.
We ended up chopping and making things very dynamic.
I say this all the time: all that matters is the finished film.
Shamier, you are also a producer.
You do a lot of stuff.
I DJ right now, which is a lot of fun.
Thanks for the invite.
ANDERSON: Oh, you’re always invited, first and foremost.
You’re just unavailable because you’re so busy.
That is not true.
I would fly up.
ANDERSON: [Laughs] I’m doing that stuff, which is fun.
I love the John Wick movies.
[Laughs] It’s just like, Oh, it’s another movie that Shams in.
You know what I mean?
But it’s love, it’s love.
I’m reallythe luckiest kid in Canadato be a part of a cast like that.
Listen, I have to bring up John Wick anytime I talk to anyone.
ANDERSON: Of course!
It’s a constant thing, also.
Keanu is the best.
Literally, just the nicest, nicest guy.
Are we even supposed to be taking these movies seriously?
Once he joined as the lead, things started to fall into place, which makes sense.
You need somebody that big.
ANDERSON: Also talented, though.
Talent is so important.
When it comes down to it, I think Samir assembled great actors.
Yeah, we have resumes and cool things that we’ve done, but Paul shows his taste.
But hes the actor’s actor, in my opinion.
Also, I am a huge fan of Walton.
ANDERSON: Hes great.
He’s having a little bit of a moment withFalloutand everything he does.
OLIVEROS: Amazing guy.
It was a pleasure to have him on set.
Talking about this all-star cast, what is it like for you?
You haven’t directed that many movies.
What is it like when you’re giving direction to really talented actors and helping craft the performance?
They know how to act.
I couldn’t do what you do.
So, we’re at the Toronto International Film Festival.
I believe you were shooting this movie like a year ago or less.
At any point during the shoot, were you like, We’re going to TIFF?
This is my favorite film festival, and being here is a privilege and an honor.
What does it mean to you?
OLIVEROS: Its amazing.
It’s really just a dream come true.
Obviously, you’re gonna be making another movie.
Are you looking at other scripts?
What are you thinking about?
OLIVEROS: Im writing a lot.
We have the next one pretty far into development.
You wanna tease what it’s called?
ANDERSON: Tease us, tease us!
OLIVEROS: It’s a single-location pressure cooker but in the hotel industry world.
ANDERSON: Geez, its likePhone Boothmeets something else.
OLIVEROS: MeetsThe Luckiest Man in America.
ANDERSON:The Luckiest Man in America.
On that note, I really want to say congratulations on the film.
I know it will get released because of the performances and the film.
Is it for sale here?
OLIVEROS: It is.
Yeah, Im not worried about the movie.
Thank you so much for coming into our studio.
I wish you nothing the best.
And also Roxstar Entertainment, our event producing partner and Photagonist Canada for the photo and video services.
Cast
May 1984.
But his winning streak is threatened when the bewildered executives uncover his real motivations.
