Exclusive Interview: Jeff Celentano Talks The Hill, Working with Dennis Quaid and Colin Ford, and More

Jeff Celentano is a triple threat in the industry who acts, produces, and directs. His previous credits include Primary Suspect, Moscow Heat, and Glass Jaw.

His latest project, The Hill, is the remarkable true-life story of Rickey Hill’s improbable journey to play Major League Baseball and stars Dennis Quaid and Colin Ford.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Jeff about his career, The Hill, and more.

PC: How did you discover your passion for storytelling?
Jeff: Ever since I was about five years old, I have been a storyteller. I’d act out stories and capture the attention of the whole family. They’d love it. I was also the guy who told stories by the campfire that had everyone on the edge of their seat.

If you’re excited about your story and believe what you’re saying, it will grip everyone around you. The key to telling stories is developing characters the audience can identify with and relate to in some way. It gets them immersed in the story, and then you have them.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Jeff: I was taken to the film Mary Poppins when I was five years old. I was totally mesmerized and blown out of my seat! I said, “That’s what I want to do. I want to be in that world someday.”

Then after I become an actor, director Robert Altman became a friend and a huge mentor to me. After working with Bob on The Player, I was 100% hooked. That’s when I decided I wanted to direct films.

Next, legendary film editor Gerald Greenberg (Kramer vs. Kramer, Scarface, Apocalypse Now, Missouri Breaks, Dressed to Kill) took a big interest in me after seeing my first short. He was the head of production at Columbia Pictures and invited me to the studio for a meeting. To make a long story short, Gerry liked my style. He said I was inventive and had great attention to detail. Gerry came to my editing room at the end of every film I directed after that. Gerry would come in about two weeks before locking picture on my early films and teach me about the importance of story editing. He taught me everything about the various techniques of editing a film. What he taught me was magical. I was blessed, but that was just the tip of the iceberg of what wisdom he bestowed upon me.

Later, I met The Godfather producer Al Ruddy through my agent at ICM. Al and I immediately bonded. I would go to his office in Beverly Hills and he would talk for hours about the business. He said, “Son, information in Hollywood is the most important tool you can possess, and I’m going to give you all the info I can because one, I like you, and two, I feel you’re talented and are going to have a career.”

PC: Tell us about The Hill and what audiences can expect.
Jeff: It’s a true story filled with spirit, love, and humor. Written by Angelo Pizzo (Rudy, Hoosiers) and the late Scott Marshall Smith (The Score, Men of Honor), the film centers around Rickey Hill, a kid who overcame his physical disability to play professional baseball. Given the complexities Rickey faced in his relationship with his father, his is a story about more than just athletics. It’s also a story about family and what one young man can do to follow his dream.

It’s a feel-good family film—meaning entire families can go see it without being scared. There’s no foul language, sex, or violence. It’s like Rudy or Rocky. It has the same effect on everyone who has seen it. It’s very uplifting and exciting. We had a small informal test screening in Charleston, after which we passed out cards to the audience. We wanted them to rate the film one-five with five being best. The entire audience gave it a five. At the end of the film an old man came up to me with tears in his eyes, grabbed my wrist, and said, “Son, you’ve moved me. I haven’t seen a picture like this since Field of Dreams. You have to get this out to the world. It’s what we need in these times of trouble and chaos.”

PC: You’ve said in the past that you’ve searched your whole life for a story like this. What has made The Hill so special? What is it about Rickey’s story that has resonated with you?
Jeff: That’s hard to explain. When I first met Rickey and heard his story, I became overwhelmed with emotion. I read the first draft and cried like a baby. I was hooked instantly and became obsessed with his story. Something grabbed me from inside and wouldn’t let go. Yes, I’ve searched my entire career for a story like this—a story that touches all of us who have a dream and proves we can achieve those dreams no matter what stands in our way.

PC: You’re working with a star-studded cast. What was it like getting to collaborate with Dennis Quaid and Colin Ford?
Jeff: I set out to make an iconic film in the classic sense, a beautiful, sweeping, and powerful inspirational story. One that will stand the test of time like Blind Side, Rudy, Field of Dreams, and The Natural.

Dennis was the first and only person I thought of for the lead role upon reading the script. There was no doubt in my mind that he has the ability to play a loving, caring father while at the same time a staunch, powerful man—all the qualities needed to bring his character in the film to life. Working with Dennis was one of the best experiences of my life on a film set. He cares so much about his role and works so hard every day. Dennis is very collaborative—he loves acting and likes to take direction. He is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. He has intensity and sternness but also a huge heart.

Colin Ford is an excellent actor and quite amazing in the film. He has such an innocence and honesty in his work. His emotional levels are astounding. He’s really loving and caring, which translates flawlessly into his character. Though Colin played some baseball when he was younger, he wanted his portrayal of Rickey to be totally authentic, so he took baseball lessons for weeks. Colin’s a special kid. We are close friends today.

Having the likes of Scott Glenn, Joelle Carter, and country music star Randy Houser among the cast is the perfect cherry on top.

PC: Outside of The Hill, what’s next for you?
Jeff: I just finished a film in England, and I’m starting a new project right now. It’s adapted from the bestselling novel Long Way Gone by Charles Martin.

To keep up with Jeff, follow him on Instagram.