Steven Spielberg

Cinema plays an unprecedentedly important role in the lives of contemporaries. As the commoditization of culture and development of science and technology gained momentum, the image of cinematographic art changed drastically. The works of Steven Spielberg, the world’s renowned master of science fiction and psychological drama in cinema, offer insight into how different significant socio-cultural processes, such as globalization, industrialization, commodification of the entertainment industry, and development of science and technology, have affected the cinematic art. Steven Spielberg’s contribution to the world of cinema remains understudied because it is difficult to assess it. Apart from that, the critics attack the famed filmmaker as much as they can. However, the skeptics’ criticism lacks logical argumentation and contradicts the very fact that Steven Spielberg is one of the most successful and esteemed filmmakers of our time. The trademarks of Spielberg’s works are various, mostly because the director have worked in different genres and explored different themes, and include sophisticated camera work with high-angle shots, technique of zooming, long and medium shots, and computer-generated imagery.

Steven Allan Spielberg was born on 18th December, 1946, in Cincinnati, OH (“Steven Spielberg” par. 1). Mr. Spielberg grew fond of filmmaking as a child, which might be one of the possible reasons he decided to pursue a career in cinema in the first place. Nowadays, Mr. Spielberg is one of the world’s most renowned film directors, producers, and screenwriter. Spielberg’s body of work falls within the realm of films produced inside and outside the major film studio systems. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, War Horse, BFG, and Lincoln have become the landmarks on Spielberg’s way to recognition, praise, and fame. Mr. Spielberg became one of the founders of the Dreamworks SKG studio in 1994, which, in the early 2000s, was purchased by Paramount Pictures (“Steven Spielberg” par. 2).

Mr. Spielberg’s early life has had a considerable impact on his career choice, aesthetics, and artistic vision. The Spielberg family had traveled a lot and young Mr. Spielberg spent much of his youth in Arizona (Rybin 248). In the late 1960s, Spielberg has been working as a television director for the Universal studio (“Steven Spielberg” par. 2). One of the first films that Steven Spielberg has ever been working on was a television film called Duel. Released in the early 1970s, Duel received wide critical acclaim (Rybin 248). The piece has become a starting point in Spielberg career of a filmmaker and producer.        

To understand the specificities of Spielberg’s creative manner and distinctive features of the cinematic universes he created, further exploration of the director’s works seems necessary and important. The thematic framework of Spielberg’s films included but was not limited to primeval fear, fascination with the wonders of the world, adventures, and artistic reconsideration of significant historical events.

The Jaws franchise is, probably, one of the best-known films has ever made. The first part of the Jaws franchise saw the world in 1975. The film was “a tremendous success” (Isaacs par. 1). Some researchers and specialists in the history and theory of cinema claim that Steven Spielberg’s first film Jaws is based on the novel by Peter Benchley (Isaacs, 2017). The film became recognizable also thanks to the soundtrack by John Williams. The makers of the film Jaws set the scene during a holiday season in a fictional location called Amity Island (Isaacs par. 2). Some critics describe Jaws as a “generic, mainstream cinema” (qtd. in Isaacs par. 3). The opinion of that particular group of critics stands opposed to what Bruce Isaacs, the author of the article “The Great Movies Scenes: Steven Spielberg’s Jaws,” articulates. According to the author’s statement, through Spielberg’s direction, Jaws “became a landmark movie that helped Hollywood reinvent itself” (Isaacs par. 2). To support his statement, Isaacs then proceeds to the analysis of what, in his opinion, is a significant scene that helps the makers of the film to create a meaning.

In the article being referenced, Jaws is categorized as one of the works that has become Spielberg’s calling cards. The sequence that provides insight into Spielberg’s style and creative manner in the film Jaws is the one that depicts the shark’s first attack. The camerawork is rather exquisite by standards of that time. As far as the cinematography of the film Jaws is concerned, it is worth mentioning that the light is neutral, plenty of high-angle shots are present, the technique of zooming is employed, close-ups, long shots, and medium shots are discernible (Jaws).

Steven Spielberg pushed the boundaries of human imagination forward in such films as E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Minimum of dialogues, sophisticated camerawork, and excellent sound editing are only some of the unique qualities of the film Close Encounters. The focal point in the film is the attempt to establish and come into contact with the race of extraterrestrial beings. The film provokes the thought that urges the viewers to contemplate the possibility of the existence of life outside planet Earth. More importantly, through depicting the alien race’s exposure, the makers of the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind invite the audience to reconsider their life choices. The episodes when the protagonist is trying to build a replica of a location called Devil’s Tower, which is situated in the vicinity of Moorcroft, WY, is, probably, the most striking. Somehow, the ending of the film instills the hope that the unearthly creatures and the human race may co-exist harmoniously. Minimum of physical and verbal interaction between the characters, paying meticulous attention to details, sophisticated camerawork, and combining different editing techniques may be considered the distinctive features of Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind.   

E.T. is a story of a boy and an alien developing an unlikely friendship. E.T. is about being kind, patient, caring, and perceptive. The film explores the possibility of the existence of alien life forms. The cinematic piece encourages the audience to think more deeply about the world, care for each other, and revisit how they perceive what they are unable to explain and/or comprehend. As far as the film editing technics are concerned, the makers of the film combine long and medium shots, and close-ups. The color scheme of the movie is rather soft. The makers of the film also use a variety of special effects that manifest themselves in E.T.’s design and the scenes that feature him, more specifically, the chasing scene and the moment when they ride a bicycle, leave the ground, and start to soar in the night sky. In the film finale, E.T. the alien, Elliot, and his family bid farewell to each other. The sequence under consideration may be categorized as, perhaps, one of the most affecting scenes in the film. Use of special effects, rapid change between scenes and sequences, and use of contrasting colors may be identified as director’s trademarks that manifest themselves through the film.

People attempting to understand and interact with what they are unable to explain is a motif central to Spielberg’s other film, namely, BFG, also known as Big Friendly Giant. The film is a story of an orphaned little girl, Sophie, kidnaped by a giant named BFG. BFG is kind, thoughtful, and caring. He is not as big as the rest of the giants. Other giants cause problems for BFG constantly. As the soldiers capture the ferocious creatures and relocate them to a location where they can do no harm, one of the central messages of the story is revealed. The film teaches the audience that evil breeds even greater evil, and any damage is irreparable. Minimizing the casualties on the sides of all parties involved should be a priority when fighting violence, anger, rage, and maliciousness. Saturated yet pleasant colors prevail in the film. The makers of the film make use of computer graphics, predominantly, to design the images of BFG and other giants. Thus, a clear demarcation line between the world of men and the world of supernatural beings is created. One of the most beautiful moments in the film is the scene where BFG and Sophie catch the dreams. The film ends with Sophie and BFG bidding each other farewell, still, the two continue to keep in touch.     

Spielberg’s historical films are immersive. Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, and War Horse are, perhaps, some of the most important historical films Steven Spielberg has made thus far. Schindler’s List, also known as Schindler’s Ark, was originally a novel written by an Australian author Thomas Keneally. Both the novel and the movie focus on Oscar Schindler, a factory owner and a man who saved hundreds of Hebrews during the World War II. The film artistically reconsiders Holocaust as one of the most tragic pages in the history of humanity in the 20th century. The story behind the film teaches the audience that everyone can make a difference. Another valuable lesson about life that Spielberg’s Schindler’s List teaches the viewers is that it is essential for people to feel that they are a part of something bigger than themselves (Schindler’s List). The portrayal of the 1940s in the film is fairly accurate. Building on that, it is possible to assume that as a director, Steven Spielberg pays close attention to details (Schindler’s List). The choice of black-and-white color scheme makes the film itself even more dramatic and impressive (Schindler’s List). The film introduces relatable, engaging, and endearing characters; hateful, despicable, and vicious characters are present as well. Schindler’s List has become one of the films to earn Spielberg the Academy Award, the other being Saving Private Ryan (“Steven Spielberg” par. 5). War Horse is another film by Steven Spielberg where World War II is the focal point. More specifically, the film focuses on the role the allied troops have played in the outcome of the World War II. The film offers insight into how animals suffered side by side with men in that war. By and large, the film teaches the audience that all life is meaningful and encourages people to be sympathetic and benevolent. The scenes of battles in the film are utterly astonishing and, therefore, may be perceived as one of the film’s calling cards.

As evidenced by the data provided above, Steven Spielberg worked in different genres. The filmmaker earned the love and respect of the audience, colleagues, and critics. However, some critics are skeptical about Spielberg’s contributions. Some researchers claim what the filmmaker does is a lowbrow art (Rowley). The skeptics who disapprove of Spielberg’s art operate on the following premise: “an extended critical study of such a filmmaker is not a worthy exercise for an academic writer” (Rowley). All allegations against Steven Spielberg are logically erroneous because they fail to recognize the fact that he is one of the most successful filmmakers of modern times. According to Kohn (par. 3), “Spielberg’s oscillation between tentpole blockbusters and conventionally defined “important” works speaks to the broad potential of all popular culture, which is why his films tend to inspire young people struggling to understand the world.” The foregoing maxim explains, to a certain extent, the possible reasons for the filmmaker’s success. At different points in his career, Spielberg has been using computer-generated imagery. The filmmaker’s decision to resort to computer technology derives from his ambition to help his works retain their topicality in the present-day context.

As a result, Steven Spielberg is one of the most esteemed and important directors of modern times. Spielberg’s works are very well-known among the audience today. The filmmaker has earned the love and respect of the viewers, colleagues, and critics because his works are relatable to the problems that humanity is beset with today. Therefore, Steven Spielberg’s films are so popular and loved because they resonate with the audience. The filmmaker offers insight into the cinematic dimension of popular art. Some of Spielberg’s pieces, such as Schindler’s List and War Horse, may be categorized as elite art. Spielberg’s works shed the light on the mechanics behind commodification of art in general and the art of cinema in particular. In addition to that, Spielberg’s art is a vivid illustration of how the advancement of science and technology may have altered the image and principles of cinema. Critics attempt to attack Spielberg as much as they can. While the opinions of those who are skeptical about Spielberg’s contributions to cinema are strong and controversial, practically all opinions of that kind are logically erroneous. Having won two Academy Awards and received wide public acclaim, Steven Spielberg may be considered one of the filmmakers whose contributions to cinema have proven themselves unparalleled.