In this interview, the incredibly talented Jack Huston talks about his directorial debut, Day of the Fight. Known for his standout performances in Boardwalk Empire and other projects, he shares the inspiration behind the film, the emotional process of writing for his close friend Michael Pitt, and the challenges of bringing a black-and-white period piece to life.
From assembling an all-star cast, including Joe Pesci, Steve Buscemi and Ron Perlman, to his hands-off directing style, Huston offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at creating a character-driven story about a boxer’s most pivotal day.
And stick around for insights into Jack’s creative process, his reflections on the film, and what’s next in his directorial journey.
Here's a bit more of what's in the interview:
• He reveals he always considered directing but waited for a story he felt compelled to tell.
• Huston’s inspiration came from working with Michael Pitt on Boardwalk Empire and watching a short documentary about a boxer, which sparked the idea of a story about a fighter's potentially last day.
• He wrote the film over ten days with Michael Pitt in mind, crafting the narrative as a "conscious stream of thought" and focusing on emotional depth.
• Huston highlights the importance of casting, crediting his film’s success to actors like Michael Pitt, Joe Pesci, and Ron Perlman, who brought authenticity and depth to their roles.
• He views directing as collaborative, favoring a hands-off approach that empowers actors to own their characters and rely on their instincts.
• He admits to feeling nervous on the first day but describes it as excitement, driven by confidence in his vision and the team's shared dedication.
• He chose not to act in the film, prioritizing his availability as a director and fully dedicating himself to the creative process.
• He expresses immense pride in the film, attributing its success to the collaborative effort of the cast and crew, and is open to directing again despite the challenge
If you liked this video, please be sure to subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsjy6It6J9BTVdL0NVNGDsQ?sub_confirmation=1
DAILY ACTOR: https://www.dailyactor.com
FOLLOW DAILY ACTOR:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dailyactor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailyactor/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@dailyactor
Twitter/X: http://www.twitter.com/DailyActor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thedailyactor/
3
