In this engaging conversation, celebrated filmmaker Steven Spielberg opens up about his journey from childhood to directing iconic films. He reflects on the emotional complexities of creating autobiographical stories, particularly in light of the pandemic's influence on artists. Spielberg shares heartfelt memories, discusses the importance of authenticity in filmmaking, and highlights the contrasting successes of 'Jurassic Park' and 'Schindler's List.' He also celebrates the talent of his family member now entering the film industry, showcasing pride and nostalgia.
Steven Spielberg prioritizes making movies he's passionate about, rather than trying to please others, striking a balance between commercial success and artistic fulfillment.
Spielberg recognizes the value of long-form storytelling made possible by streaming platforms and expresses interest in directing a long-form series in the future.
Staging is a crucial element in storytelling according to Spielberg, enhancing the writer's vision and actors' performances while trusting intuitive actors to contribute unique insights to the scenes.
Deep dives
Steven Spielberg's Personal Film-making Journey
Steven Spielberg reflects on his decision to make his latest film, The Fablemans, which is deeply personal and based on key moments from his own childhood. He discusses the process of writing the script with Tony Kushner and the emotional journey of bringing this story to life. Spielberg also talks about the importance of pleasing oneself as a filmmaker before trying to please others and the balance between commercial success and artistic fulfillment. While he acknowledges the impact of streaming services in providing more opportunities for storytellers, he also emphasizes the importance of preserving the theatrical experience.
The Contrast of Spielberg's Films: Commercial Success and Artistic Depth
The podcast hosts discuss the contrast between Steven Spielberg's commercial successes, like Jurassic Park, and his critically acclaimed films, like Schindler's List. They praise Spielberg for being able to marry commercial viability with deeply human stories that resonate with audiences. Spielberg shares his belief that filmmakers should prioritize making movies they're passionate about, rather than trying to please others. He also acknowledges the valuable role that streaming services play in giving more filmmakers a chance to showcase their work, but expresses a desire for a more balanced approach that includes a theatrical window for films to reach audiences.
Future Long-Form Projects and Spielberg's Appetite for Storytelling
Steven Spielberg discusses his interest in long-form storytelling and his willingness to tackle projects beyond traditional film. He expresses his past desire to make Lincoln as a six-hour series and his openness to directing a long-form series in the future. Spielberg recognizes the value of long-form storytelling made possible by streaming platforms and highlights acclaimed series like Mare of Easttown. He concludes by sharing his belief that in order to be a successful filmmaker, one must have an instinctive passion for the stories they choose to tell.
The Last Shot Incident
During the podcast, Steven Spielberg recounts a memorable incident while filming a TV movie where an actor consistently disobeyed his instructions. Frustrated, Spielberg decided to teach him a lesson on the last shot of the day. When the actor was supposed to exit through a small space pretending to be a door, Spielberg made the rest of the cast improvise for eight minutes while the actor stood inside the small space. Surprisingly, the actor walked away without saying a word and left the set.
The Importance of Staging in Filmmaking
Spielberg emphasizes the significance of staging as a crucial element in storytelling. He expresses his admiration for directors like Lewis Milestone and William Wilder, whose innovative staging and blocking techniques intrigued him. Spielberg believes that staging helps to enhance the writer's vision and the actors' performances, effectively illuminating key moments in a film. He credits his love for theater directors like Mike Nichols and Elia Kazan, who collaborated with actors to create powerful blocking choices. Spielberg emphasizes the importance of trusting intuitive actors and allowing them to naturally block themselves, contributing unique insights to the scenes.
Let’s all go to the movies… with Steven Spielberg. We fall in love with Doctor Zhivago, indulge in some tainted lamb, and build a lucky sand castle. In the words of Steven Spielberg, “I have to tell the story; it’s in my marrow.”
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