SJM_Interview_Goldenberg_0824 - OFMv_layout 1 / 24 / 25 3 : 14 PM Page 2 Never Give Up Oscar winner William Goldenberg aims to inspire with his directorial debut , Unstoppable . by Debra Wallace When William Goldenberg was growing up , he learned how to multitask while working at his dad’s deli . He didn’t know it at the time , but it turns out the deli was an ideal training ground for making movies . “ It was good training for multitasking when I was an assistant film editor , where I had to do 18 things at one time , ” the Oscar - winning film editor - turned - Whatwas that experience like for directorrecently explained . “ I was a short - order cook there , and I would run the youstepping into a more active role place in the summer when my dad would go on vacation . … It was solid training behindthe camera ? for life in general . ” It was terrifying , but what was so great Goldenberg is celebrating the release of Unstoppable , his directorial debut . about it was I am going to do both now , Previous accomplishments include an Academy Award for the film editing of both directing and film editing . It was an Argo , which starred and was directed by Ben Affleck , as well as nominations for incredibly calm and happy set , because I hiswork on The Imitation Game , The Insider , Seabiscuit , and Zero Dark Thirty . was calm and happy . It was a great experi - Unstoppable follows an underdog named Anthony Robles ( played by Jharrel ence to be around all of those incredibly Jerome ) , who was born with one leg . His indomitable spirit and unbreakable resolve , talented people . Every single person cared alongwith unwavering support from his mother Judy ( Jennifer Lopez ) , help Robles somuch and brought so much to make the defythe odds and earn a spot on the Arizona State wrestling team . He then realizes movie better . he must give everything , physically and mentally , if he is to achieve his ultimate goal : becoming an NCAA Champion . Beforeyou got into the industry Wespoke with Goldenberg about underdogs , imposter syndrome , and what whatwas one of your more he learned about himself at Temple University . memorablemoments ? I had this class in my senior year and we took an essay test for the final . I wrote it and SinceUnstoppableis such an underdog thought : Okay , that seems to be the right storyat its heart , have you ever felt like an answer to me . When the teacher graded them underdogat times in your life ? Q & A andgave them back , she started talking about I didn’t grow up super confident , and nobody in my one person in the class who answered the family was in the arts . We were in the deli business so I always felt like I had question with a different response than what impostersyndrome . I always feel like an underdog , like everybody knows more she thought was going to be the right answer , thanme , but I guess it made me work harder . In a sense , that’s what Anthony did . but when she read it , she thought : This is also He just worked harder than everybody . correct . When she started reading my answer , it made me feel really good about myself . Doyou believe that with perseverance , family support and the That was an academic highlight for me . rightattitude that nothing is impossible ? Of course , some things are impossible . You can’t heal a sick person by having a What was it like being able to great attitude , but I think people are always surprised by what they can screen the film for people in your accomplish when they just put their heads down , work harder , work smarter , hometown Philadelphia ? try to live an honest life and treat people with respect . I just think it just ele - We screened the movie for 250 high school vates you . I think that having a positive can - do attitude is a very helpful thing . kids and they loved it ! They were screaming and cheering . There was an entire contin - Whywere you compelled to make this movie and tell this story ? gent from where I went to high school . I I love sports movies or movies that involve sports . I read Anthony’s book and I took a picture with 15 of them and a learned a lot about him and I thought : What a great story , and it might be a perfect teacher , and it was really nice . I don’t know first movie for me . Then I went to Arizona to spend four days with Anthony and met about being a conquering hero , but I felt hismom , Judy . I’ve pretty much never met anybody like him . The person you see in appreciated . ? thefilm is who he is . He radiates goodness , generosity and grace . SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 21 issue 10 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 37