Billy Crystal Reflects on Learning From Martin Scorsese at NYU

Billy Crystal recently thought back on his time at New York University in the late 1960s, when he was a student being taught by the renowned director Martin Scorsese. Crystal talked about his experience learning from Scorsese, who was a doctoral student at the time and working on his debut feature, ‘Who’s That Knocking at My Door’, during a recent episode of Today’s Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist.

Crystal recalled the lasting impact of Scorsese’s rigorous and quick-paced teaching style. Even in those days, Scorsese’s love for filmmaking was clear, as seen by his long hair, beard, and unusual glasses. His incisive criticism of student work, frequently citing well-known filmmakers like Howard Hawks, occasionally overwhelmed Crystal as a young film student still learning the fundamentals.

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Image Courtesy: People

During the interview, Crystal also shared memories of her time spent in the West Village of New York City during the counterculture movement. Protests against the Vietnam War and a thriving creative culture characterized the time, which he described as a mixture of upheaval and artistic renewal. Cultural luminaries like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and the Grateful Dead were based in the neighbourhood, and their influence is still felt today.

Since then, Crystal and Scorsese have both experienced enormous success in their respective industries. In addition to hosting the Oscars nine times and winning six Emmys, a Tony, and the Mark Twain Prize for ‘American Humor’, Crystal was honoured with the 27th Critics Choice Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout his storied directorial career, Scorsese has directed 20 films that have received a total of 20 Oscar nominations.

One of Crystal’s most recent roles is in the drama ‘Before’ on Apple TV+, which is currently streaming.

–Farheen Ali