The Table Tennis Coaches Behind Chalamet's Stunning Performance

In Pasadena, California, a pair of table tennis experts, Diego Schaaf and Wei Wang, have been quietly shaping Hollywood's ping pong scenes for decades. Their latest project? Transforming Timothée Chalamet into a convincing table tennis prodigy for the film "Marty Supreme."

The Masters Behind the Magic

Schaaf and Wang run Alpha Productions, a company consulted on numerous films, shows, and commercials involving table tennis. Their impressive portfolio includes:

"Forrest Gump"
"Friends"
"Balls of Fury"

But "Marty Supreme" presented a unique challenge: making Chalamet appear as a world-class player.

Chalamet's Journey to Mastery

Chalamet had been training for about seven years, even practicing during the filming of other movies like "Dune" and "Wonka." But it wasn't until June 2024 that Schaaf and Wang stepped in. They assessed his skills and decided he had the athletic ability to pull off the role.

Diego Schaaf: The Choreographer

Grew up playing table tennis in Switzerland
Focused on choreography and ensuring production quality
Hired top-tier players
Sourced vintage equipment
Crafted storylines matching the film's vision

Wei Wang: The Former No. 5 Ranked Player in China

Taught Chalamet the nuances of the sport
Praised his quick learning
Helped him master footwork crucial for a top player

Intense Training Sessions

Started at local table tennis clubs
Moved to Chalamet's house for privacy
Chalamet named specific points in scenes to remember them better
Some scenes used CGI, requiring Chalamet to move and swing without making actual contact

Tyler, the Creator's Learning Curve

Played Marty's friend Wally
Had never played table tennis before
Quickly took to the sport, even buying his own table

Premiere and Beyond

Schaaf and Wang were on set during filming, ensuring everything ran smoothly. They attended the December premiere of "Marty Supreme" and were proud of Chalamet's dedication and performance.

Now, they're back to their regular jobs: running their local table tennis clubs, waiting for the next Hollywood project to call.