Stephen Bishop (SB): No, it didn\u2019t influence the decision, but it definitely helped give me a bit of perspective. Having an idea, at least on some level, of what professional baseball players go through and the emotions they experience was a huge advantage when attempting to accurately portray David.<\/p>\n
SY: What was your audition process like for the movie? Did you have to go through any try-out periods to prove your playing skills for director Bennett Miller and the producers?<\/strong><\/p>\n SB: I had four auditions. One was a tryout where I had to show my skills, but the other three were strictly acting auditions. SB: I actually already knew David from my playing days with the Braves. He and I are friends, and have been since then, so it wasn\u2019t too hard to prepare. I idolized him as a kid and so I knew his mannerisms, etc., so that made it quite easy to transform physically. I called him and asked him some questions about his mindset during that time in his career and his relationship with Billy Beane. He was very helpful and generous with his insights.<\/p>\n SY: While shooting \u2018Moneyball,\u2019 did you feel any pressure to portray David in a certain way? What were the hardest and easiest parts of the role?<\/strong><\/p>\n SB: I felt a pressure to make sure he was portrayed in the best light possible while not taking anything away from the story that was being told. David is a great guy and I wanted to make sure that he was happy with the way I played him. Also, I wanted his fans to be impressed with the similarity between the character and the man. The easiest part was getting his swing down. I knew it like the back of my hand anyway. The hardest part was learning to throw left-handed.<\/p>\n SY: Brad Pitt portrays Billy in \u2018Moneyball.\u2019 What was your experience like working with him?<\/strong><\/p>\n SB: Brad was a great guy. (He\u2019s) really down to earth, despite that fact that he\u2019s clearly a mega star. He and I had some things in common, like our affinity for green building, so we had some good conversations while shooting. I had a one-on-one scene with him, so I got a chance to spend some significant time with him and was impressed with his cool. He even signed the jersey I wore in the film so that I could frame it. I also got David to sign it so that\u2019s my prized possession right now.<\/p>\n SY: After leaving the Pioneer League, why did you decide to become an actor? What was the transition like from playing baseball to becoming an actor?<\/strong><\/p>\n SB: Well, actually it was when I left the California league that I decided to make the transition. I felt that GOD was trying to tell me that it was time to get off the baseball train and transfer to the one that would take me to my ultimate destination. I knew in school that after baseball acting would be something I\u2019d be interested in. I took drama courses in college, and the professor really encouraged me to continue. So when I was released by Baltimore, there was just that epiphany moment that set me on this course. SB: I really don\u2019t know yet because I haven\u2019t seen it. I really only know what happened during my part of the movie. I will say that the effects and the alien ships look incredibly real. (Director and producer) Peter Berg is a genius, so I think this will be as realistic as any film in that genre.<\/p>\n
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\nSY: How did you prepare for the role? Did you meet David and\/or do research into his life and career before you began filming?<\/strong><\/p>\n
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\nSY: You\u2019re also set to appear in next year\u2019s anticipated sci-fi naval war movie \u2018Battleship,\u2019 which follows an international naval fleet at Pearl Harbor that participates in a battle against an alien race known as The Regents. The aliens come to Earth to build a power source in the ocean. What makes \u2018Battleship\u2019 unique from other sci-fi alien films?<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"moneyball](\"http:\/\/www.shockya.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/moneyball-movie-poster.jpg\" "\\"moneyball")
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