The Soloist Production Notes

- Dreamworks pictures and Universal pictures in association with Working Film Title, present The Soloist
- Steve Lopez had a lot of people interested and got involved in his articles in the Times newspaper. They would send packages and emails, including cellos and musical instruments to show their support the homeless.
- It became realised that Steve Lopez had in fact produced a story about his friendship, which interested many people and producers, although the producers it was Russ Kransoff and Gary Foster, (who were business partners) that gained Lopez's trust.
- after securing a deal with Lopez, foster brought dreamworks on board, who then introduces Susannah Grant, who is a Oscar-nominated script writer.
- Grant didn't want anyone else to touch the story after she had read the columns in the newspaper. She needed to communicate with the story, which was exciting for her. She thought of it as a romantic story, almost a love story - about a strong friendship.
- Grant spent a lot of time with Lopez and Ayers so she could get to know them well and make the script a lot more authentic.
- She urged away from 'fairy-tale' elements in the story as she wanted to reveal the truth about there relationship
- Joe Wright had never filmed in the US before, he went to visit Los Angeles before signing on to the film. He visited Skid Row alone, and this had an effect on him and changed the direction of the film. He also took a few days off to communicate with the Lamp Community
- Jamie Foxx had an emotional reaction to the script as he read it and was soon spending time with Nathaniel.
- Over several weeks Wright and Mcgarvey storyboarded the whole film. They also spent a lot of time with music to go with the film which was vital the movie.