Peter Mitchell tells his class an anecdote about the two times he met cello legend Pablo Casals; this anecdote is a true incident that happened to another legendary cellist, the late Gregor Piatigorsky. This anecdote is paraphrased from Piatigorsky's autobiography, "Cellist".
The scene between Christopher Walken and Catherine Keener at the Frick Collection is the first time the Frick allowed filming a scene at their gallery since its opening 75 years ago.
Catherine Keener said about Christopher Walken's role in the film and the way the other actors related to him: "He is the man. He's 'the dad.' And if dad is cool and feeling good today, we all feel good. We truly hated to disappoint him. We were always happy to see him. We wanted his approval. All of those things."
The concert scene in the film is played at the Grace Rainey Hall at the Metropolitan Museum - the same stage where the legendary Guarneri String Quartet played their farewell concert after 45 years of playing together.
Sotheby's David Redden appears as the auctioneer in the film's auction scene.