John Macgregor—who was involved in the research and wrote the treatments for Shine—wrote, in a letter to The Australian, that the portrayal of the Helfgotts' father was supported not only by David's 'elephantine' recollections, but (with the exception of Margaret) by every family member and family friend he and Scott Hicks interviewed, as well as by every interviewee who had a professional or musical connection with David throughout his early life.
John Macgregor - koji je bio involviran u istraživanje i pisao dijelove priče - napisao je u pismu za The Australian da portret Helfgottovog oca nije prikazan samo na temelju Davidovih sjećanja, već (uz iznimku Margaret) i od svih drugih članova obitelji i obiteljskih prijatelja koje su on i Scott Hicks intervjuirali, kao i od svih onih koji su Davida upoznali u profesionalnom životu u njegovoj ranoj fazi.