Billy Crystal Reflects on NYU Days with Scorsese

Billy Crystal reminisced about his time as a student at New York University, where he was taught by a young Martin Scorsese, who was a graduate student at the time. Crystal described Scorsese as an intimidating presence with a big beard and long hair, recalling that he would stand behind students while they edited films, often speaking quickly and passionately. He humorously recounted Scorsese's advice to use wide shots, referencing legendary director Howard Hawks, to which Crystal, at 19, admitted he was unfamiliar with. Reflecting on the late 1960s, Crystal noted the vibrant cultural atmosphere in the West Village amidst the counterculture movement and protests against the Vietnam War, highlighting how it fostered a renaissance in arts. Despite the years that have passed, Crystal remarked that Scorsese still embodies the same energy he had in class. Their shared history emphasizes both their remarkable journeys in the film industry.