Editing Steven Spielberg (section)

== Filmmaking style and techniques ==

=== Influences ===
{{quote box
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| quote = "I didn't go to film school. I was self-taught. But I had great teachers, you know? All my influencers were the directors and the writers of the movies I was watching in theaters and on television. And my film school was really the cultural heritage of Hollywood and international filmmaking because there's no better teacher than [[Lubitsch]] or [[Hitchcock]] or [[Kurosawa]] or [[Kubrick]], you know, or [[John Ford|Ford]] or [[William Wyler]] or [[Billy Wilder]] or [[Clarence Brown]] – I mean, [[Val Lewton]]. I mean, those were my teachers."
| source = — Steven Spielberg, ''[[Fresh Air]]'' interview<ref name="FreshAir"/>
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Spielberg cites [[John Ford]] as a formative influence: "I try to rent a John Ford film... before I start every movie, simply because he inspires me.... He's like a classic painter, he celebrates the frame, not just what's inside it."<ref name=":BFI"/> He names [[Frank Capra]]'s [[It's a Wonderful Life|''It's A Wonderful Life'']] (1946) as an influence on themes of "family, community and suburbia".{{Sfn|Baxter|1996|p=20}} He enjoyed the work of Alfred Hitchcock,{{Sfn|McBride|1997|p=81}}{{Sfn|Hook|2010|p=6}} [[David Lean]],{{Sfn|Freer|2001|p=148}} [[Stanley Kubrick]] and [[John Frankenheimer]].{{Sfn|McBride|1997|p=263}}{{Sfn|Jackson|2007|p=xvii}} In college, he was inspired by foreign films by [[Ingmar Bergman]], [[Jacques Tati]] and [[François Truffaut]].{{Sfn|McBride|1997|p=143}} [[Spencer Tracy]] has also influenced the characters of Spielberg's films,{{Sfn|Baxter|1996|p=19}} as did ''[[The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]''.{{Sfn|McBride|1997|p=170}} He says [[Lawrence of Arabia (film)|''Lawrence of Arabia'']] is the film he's seen more times than any other.<ref>{{cite AV media| date=March 9, 2023 |title=The Film Steven Spielberg Has Watched More Than Any Other| publisher=[[The Late Show With Stephen Colbert]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7quIPjqFhq0}}</ref> With [[Martin Scorsese]], Spielberg helped with the restoration of ''Lawrence'' by [[Robert A. Harris]].<ref>{{cite news| title=The Resurrection of 'Lawrence of Arabia| last=Rothman| first=Cliff| date=January 29, 1989| work=[[Los Angeles Times]]| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-01-29-ca-1564-story.html}}</ref> Among films by his contemporaries, Spielberg was influenced by [[Francis Ford Coppola]]'s ''[[The Godfather]]'':  "I was pulverized by the story and the effect the film had on me... I also felt that I should quit, that there was no reason I should continue directing because I would never achieve that level of confidence and ability to tell a story."<ref>{{cite web| title=Steven Spielberg's Favorite Movies: 30 Films the Director Wants You to See| work=[[IndieWire]]| date=March 27, 2024| url=https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/steven-spielberg-favorite-movies/the-searchers-john-wayne-1956/}}</ref> In 2005, Coppola contacted Spielberg about restoring the film; Spielberg contacted studio head [[Brad Grey]].<ref>{{cite news |title='Godfather' films finally restored to glory |last=Snider |first=Mike |work=[[USA Today]] |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/dvd/2008-09-22-godfather-restored_N.htm |date=September 23, 2008 |access-date=July 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721213818/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/dvd/2008-09-22-godfather-restored_N.htm |archive-date=July 21, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{what|His contacting Grey is a non sequitur. Clarification is needed|date=April 2025}} In 1982, Spielberg bought one of the prop sleds from ''[[Citizen Kane]]''. Spielberg called ''Kane'' 'the most classic movie ever made," and the sled "a symbolic emblem of quality in the film business".<ref>{{cite news| title=Sled of 'Citizen Kane' Brings $60,500| date=June 11, 1982| work=[[The New York Times]]| url= https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/11/movies/sled-of-citizen-kane-brings-60500-sled-in-citizen-kane-is-sold-for-60500.html}}</ref>

=== Method and themes ===
Spielberg often uses [[storyboard]]s to visualize sequences, eschewing them for ''[[E.T. the Extraterrestrial]]'' and ''[[The Color Purple (1985 film)|The Color Purple]]'' for a more spontaneous effect.{{Sfn|Freer|2001|p=112}}{{Sfn|Freer|2001|p=149}} After filming ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'', Spielberg learned to save special effects scenes until last and to exclude the media from filming locations.{{Sfn|Baxter|1996|p=160}} Spielberg prefers to shoot quickly, with large amounts of coverage (from [[Single-camera setup|single-shot]] to [[Multiple-camera setup|multi-shot]] setups), so that he will have many options in the editing room.{{Sfn|Mairata|2018|p=69}} From the beginning of his career, Spielberg's shooting style consisted of extreme high and low camera angles, [[long take]]s, and [[Hand-held camera|handheld]] cameras.{{Sfn|Buckland|2006|p=69}} He favors [[wide-angle lens]] for creating depth,{{Sfn|Buckland|2006|p=205}} and by the time he was making ''Minority Report'', he was more confident with elaborate camera movements.{{Sfn|Buckland|2006|p=202}}

In an interview with ''[[The Tech (newspaper)|The Tech]]'' in 2015, Spielberg described how he chooses his film projects:{{blockquote|[Sometimes], a story speaks to me, even if it doesn't speak to any of my collaborators or any of my partners, who look at me and scratch their heads and say, "Gee, are you sure you wanna get into that trench for a year and a half?" I love people challenging me that way because it's a real test about my own convictions and [whether] I can be the standing man of my own life and take a stand on a subject that may not be popular, but that I would be proud to add to the body of my work. That's pretty much the litmus test that gets me to say, "Yeah, I'll direct that one."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wang |first1=Ray |date=October 22, 2015 |title=The Tech talks to Steven Spielberg |url=https://thetech.com/2015/10/22/spielberginterview-v135-n28 |access-date=March 10, 2018 |website=[[The Tech (newspaper)|The Tech]] |archive-date=March 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311140655/https://thetech.com/2015/10/22/spielberginterview-v135-n28 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}Spielberg's films contain many recurrent themes. One of the most pertinent revolves around "ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances".{{Sfn|McBride|1997|p=263}}{{Sfn|Freer|2001|p=76}} The ordinary people often have limitations, but they succeed in becoming a "hero".{{Sfn|Freer|2001|p=76}} A consistent theme in his family-friendly work is a childlike sense of wonder and faith, and "the goodness in humanity will prevail".{{Sfn|Freer|2001|p=76}} He has also explored the importance of childhood, loss of innocence, and the need for parental figures.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Steven Spielberg and Philosophy : We're Gonna Need a Bigger Book|date=2008 |publisher=[[University Press of Kentucky]] |isbn=978-0-8131-7324-5 |editor-last=Kowalski |editor-first=Dean A. |location=Lexington, Kentucky |page=48 |oclc=299792520}}</ref> In exploring the parent-child relationship, there is usually a flawed or irresponsible father figure. This theme personally resonates with Spielberg's childhood.{{Sfn|McBride|1997|p=181}} Exploring extraterrestrial life is another aspect to his work. Spielberg described himself as like an "alien" during childhood,{{Sfn|McBride|1997|p=67}} and this interest came from his father, a science fiction fan.<ref>{{cite book| title = E.T. DVD Production Notes Booklet| publisher = Universal|year=2002}}</ref>

=== Collaborators ===
[[Michael Kahn (film editor)|Michael Kahn]] has edited all of Spielberg's films since 1977, with the exception of ''E.T.'' (1982). Spielberg has also worked consistently with production designer [[Rick Carter]] and writer [[David Koepp]]. The producer [[Kathleen Kennedy (producer)|Kathleen Kennedy]] is one of Spielberg's longest serving collaborators.{{Sfn|Mairata|2018|p=64}} Spielberg also displays loyalty to his actors, casting them repeatedly, including [[Tom Hanks]], [[Harrison Ford]], [[Mark Rylance]], [[Richard Dreyfuss]] and [[Tom Cruise]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 17, 2015 |title=Steven Spielberg's Frequent A-List Collaborators (Photos) {{!}} Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/steven-spielbergs-frequent-a-list-832419/5-tom-cruise |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101184203/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/steven-spielbergs-frequent-a-list-832419/5-tom-cruise |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ong |first=Jennifer |date=December 5, 2020 |title=5 Actors Who Enjoy Working With Steven Spielberg (& 5 Who've Turned Him Down) |url=https://screenrant.com/actors-loved-working-with-steven-spielberg-turned-him-down/ |access-date=July 14, 2021 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |archive-date=December 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206180801/https://screenrant.com/actors-loved-working-with-steven-spielberg-turned-him-down/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ehenulo |first=Kelechi |date=September 21, 2017 |title=The key collaborators of Steven Spielberg |website=Set The Tape |url=https://setthetape.com/2017/09/21/the-spielberg-collaborators/ |access-date=July 14, 2021 |archive-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218222441/https://setthetape.com/2017/09/21/the-spielberg-collaborators/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2005, Cruise called him "the greatest storyteller cinema's ever known".<ref>{{YouTube|title=Tom Cruise's Heated Interview With Matt Lauer|id=tFgF1JPNR5E}} {{retrieved|access-date=July 25, 2023}}</ref>

Hanks has collaborated with Spielberg on various projects in both film and television. He first worked with Spielberg in ''[[Saving Private Ryan]]'' (1998) for which he received a nomination for [[Academy Award for Best Actor]]. Hanks starred in four more films, ''[[Catch Me if You Can]]'' (2002), ''[[The Terminal]]'' (2004), [[Bridge of Spies (film)|''Bridge of Spies'']] (2015) and [[The Post (film)|''The Post'']] (2017). The pair also executive produced the war miniseries ''[[Band of Brothers (miniseries)|Band of Brothers]]'' (2001) and ''[[The Pacific (miniseries)|The Pacific]]'' (2010), both of which gained them [[Primetime Emmy Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Outstanding Miniseries Or Movie Nominees / Winners 2002 |url=https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2002/outstanding-miniseries-or-movie |access-date=August 13, 2022 |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |language=en |archive-date=August 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801221846/https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2002/outstanding-miniseries-or-movie |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Outstanding Miniseries Or Movie Nominees / Winners 2010 |url=https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2010/outstanding-miniseries-or-movie |access-date=August 13, 2022 |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |language=en |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930060042/https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2010/outstanding-miniseries-or-movie |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Janusz Kamiński]] has served as a cinematographer on dozens of Spielberg's films.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prince |first=Ron |date=April 29, 2018 |title=Janusz Kaminski ASC / The Post |url=https://britishcinematographer.co.uk/janusz-kaminski-asc-the-post/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101184247/https://britishcinematographer.co.uk/janusz-kaminski-asc-the-post/ |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |access-date=December 24, 2020 |website=British Cinematographer |language=en-GB}}</ref> Kamiński's first collaboration with Spielberg started with the holocaust drama film ''Schindler's List'' (1993) for which Kamiński received the [[Academy Award for Best Cinematography]]. The film used [[black-and-white]] cinematography. As Spielberg's career evolved from action to drama films, he and Kamiński adopted more handheld camerawork, as evidenced in ''Schindler's List'' and ''Amistad''.{{Sfn|Freer|2001|pp=229, 256}} Kamiński would later receive his second Academy Award for cinematography on ''Saving Private Ryan''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 71st Academy Awards {{!}} 1999 |date=November 18, 2016 |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1999 |access-date=August 13, 2022 |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] |language=en |archive-date=April 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417092138/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1999 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film's opening sequence to re-enact the [[invasion of Normandy]] was praised for realism. Kamiński garnered three more Academy Award nominations for his work on ''War Horse'' (2011), the historical epic ''Lincoln'' (2015), and ''West Side Story'' (2021).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heuring |first=David |date=May 4, 2015 |title=Janusz Kaminski ASC / War Horse |url=https://britishcinematographer.co.uk/janusz-kaminski-asc-war-horse/ |access-date=August 13, 2022 |website=British Cinematographer |language=en-GB |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813111419/https://britishcinematographer.co.uk/janusz-kaminski-asc-war-horse/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pennington |first=Adrian |date=June 30, 2022 |title=Janusz Kamiński / West Side Story |url=https://britishcinematographer.co.uk/janusz-kaminski-west-side-story/ |access-date=August 13, 2022 |website=British Cinematographer |language=en-GB |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813111420/https://britishcinematographer.co.uk/janusz-kaminski-west-side-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Spielberg's long-time partnership with composer [[John Williams]] began with ''[[The Sugarland Express]]'' (1974).<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 28, 2022 |title=John Williams and Steven Spielberg |url=https://www.classicfm.com/composers/williams/guides/facts-williams/spielberg/ |access-date=November 10, 2020 |website=[[Classic FM (UK)|Classic FM]] |language=en |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101184207/https://www.classicfm.com/composers/williams/guides/facts-williams/spielberg/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Williams would return to compose all but five of Spielberg's feature films (the exceptions are ''Twilight Zone: The Movie'', ''The Color Purple'', ''Bridge of Spies'', ''Ready Player One'' and ''West Side Story''). Williams won three of his five [[Academy Awards]] for [[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]] for his work on Spielberg's films, which were ''Jaws'' (1975), ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'' (1982), and ''Schindler's List'' (1993). While making ''Schindler's List'', Spielberg approached Williams about composing the score. After seeing a rough, unedited cut, Williams was impressed, and said that composing would be too challenging. He said to Spielberg, "You need a better composer than I am for this film." Spielberg responded, "I know. But they're all dead!"<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=May 5, 2005 |title=The man behind the music of 'Star Wars' |url=http://www.today.com/popculture/man-behind-music-star-wars-wbna7749339 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101184238/https://www.today.com/popculture/man-behind-music-star-wars-wbna7749339 |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |access-date=November 10, 2020 |website=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |language=en}}</ref> In 2016, Spielberg presented Williams with the 44th [[AFI Life Achievement Award]], the first to be awarded to a composer.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=October 8, 2015 |title=Composer John Williams to Receive the 44th AFI Life Achievement Award |url=https://www.afi.com/news/composer-john-williams-to-receive-the-44th-afi-life-achievement-award/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101184234/https://www.afi.com/news/composer-john-williams-to-receive-the-44th-afi-life-achievement-award/ |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |access-date=November 22, 2020 |website=[[American Film Institute]] |language=en}}</ref>