2. ChildhoodChildhood
Steven Spielberg was born on December 18, 1946, in Cincinnati,Steven Spielberg was born on December 18, 1946, in Cincinnati,
Ohio.Ohio.
Grew up as the only Jewish family in the neighborhood, thisGrew up as the only Jewish family in the neighborhood, this
impacted his childhood and later his movies.impacted his childhood and later his movies.
Looking for a distraction from life, young Spielberg picked up hisLooking for a distraction from life, young Spielberg picked up his
father’s 8mm camera, which was to be his newfound hobby. Infather’s 8mm camera, which was to be his newfound hobby. In
which he created many short films, enlisting his family members aswhich he created many short films, enlisting his family members as
cast members.cast members.
At the age of 13, Spielberg taught himself how to master cameraAt the age of 13, Spielberg taught himself how to master camera
angles, technical tricks, and visual storytelling skills.angles, technical tricks, and visual storytelling skills.
His first feature-length film, “Firelight”, was two-and-a-half-hoursHis first feature-length film, “Firelight”, was two-and-a-half-hours
long. Firelight showed at a local movie theatre, whereby Spielberglong. Firelight showed at a local movie theatre, whereby Spielberg
made one hundred dollars in profit in one night from his film.made one hundred dollars in profit in one night from his film.
After graduating from high school, Spielberg attempted to enroll intoAfter graduating from high school, Spielberg attempted to enroll into
film school but failed due to poor high school grades.film school but failed due to poor high school grades.
3. Early YearsEarly Years
He attended California State College at Long Beach, andHe attended California State College at Long Beach, and
majored in English.majored in English.
After graduating from college in 1970, Spielberg snuckAfter graduating from college in 1970, Spielberg snuck
onto the Universal Studios lot and tried to convinceonto the Universal Studios lot and tried to convince
producers to look at his films.producers to look at his films.
Spielberg’s film, “Amblin” told the story of a coupleSpielberg’s film, “Amblin” told the story of a couple
hitchhiking from the Mojave Desert to the Pacific Ocean.hitchhiking from the Mojave Desert to the Pacific Ocean.
Spielberg scrounged together fifteen thousand dollarsSpielberg scrounged together fifteen thousand dollars
from his friends and family to make this 22-minute film.from his friends and family to make this 22-minute film.
The film “Amblin” revealed Spielberg’s talent and aThe film “Amblin” revealed Spielberg’s talent and a
producer from Universal Studios, contracted Spielbergproducer from Universal Studios, contracted Spielberg
for 7 years after he saw the movie “Amblin”.for 7 years after he saw the movie “Amblin”.
4. 1973 - First assignment at Universal Studios1973 - First assignment at Universal Studios
Universal assigned Spielberg to make a filmUniversal assigned Spielberg to make a film
made for television, “Duel”. “Duel” is about amade for television, “Duel”. “Duel” is about a
traveling salesman whose car is relentlesslytraveling salesman whose car is relentlessly
chased down rural highways by a large truckchased down rural highways by a large truck
with an unseen driver.with an unseen driver.
The American public enjoyed this thriller, andThe American public enjoyed this thriller, and
was popular enough to be shown in theaterswas popular enough to be shown in theaters
overseas. The movie “Duel” may still beoverseas. The movie “Duel” may still be
considered to be the best American televisionconsidered to be the best American television
movie ever made.movie ever made.
5. 19741974
The film “Sugerland Express” was released inThe film “Sugerland Express” was released in
1974 as Spielberg’s feature film debut.1974 as Spielberg’s feature film debut.
Inspired by a real incident, SpielbergInspired by a real incident, Spielberg
constructed this movie about a young coupleconstructed this movie about a young couple
that led a police chase across Texas as theythat led a police chase across Texas as they
attempt to retrieve their baby from the fosterattempt to retrieve their baby from the foster
parents.parents.
It received praise from box office critics butIt received praise from box office critics but
failed at the box office.failed at the box office.
““The Sugerland Express” won a Cannes FilmThe Sugerland Express” won a Cannes Film
Festival Award for Best ScreenplayFestival Award for Best Screenplay
6. 1975 – “Jaws”1975 – “Jaws”
““Jaws” became Spielberg’s claim to fame, becoming theJaws” became Spielberg’s claim to fame, becoming the
top-grossing film of all time in 1975.top-grossing film of all time in 1975.
The movie was nominated for Best Picture at theThe movie was nominated for Best Picture at the
Oscars, and won a few technical awards.Oscars, and won a few technical awards.
““Jaws” marked a new movie genre, the blockbuster. TheJaws” marked a new movie genre, the blockbuster. The
blockbuster movie could be interpreted as a highlyblockbuster movie could be interpreted as a highly
anticipated movie that made a lot of money and capturedanticipated movie that made a lot of money and captured
both critics and viewers attention.both critics and viewers attention.
In 1998, the film was named by the American FilmIn 1998, the film was named by the American Film
Institute as one of the 100 best American films of theInstitute as one of the 100 best American films of the
century.century.
7.
8. 1977 – “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”1977 – “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”
Spielberg created and directedSpielberg created and directed
“Close Encounters of the Third Kind”,“Close Encounters of the Third Kind”,
in 1977.in 1977.
He showed the viewing audience hisHe showed the viewing audience his
passion for science fiction.passion for science fiction.
This film earned Spielberg his firstThis film earned Spielberg his first
Oscar nomination for best director.Oscar nomination for best director.
9. ““Indiana Jones”Indiana Jones”
1977 - Spielberg told George1977 - Spielberg told George
Lucas he wanted to make a filmLucas he wanted to make a film
with the James Bond character.with the James Bond character.
Lucas suggested a movie set inLucas suggested a movie set in
the 1930’s about an archaeologistthe 1930’s about an archaeologist
and his adventures.and his adventures.
““Indiana Jones and the Raiders ofIndiana Jones and the Raiders of
the Lost Arc” came out in 1981.the Lost Arc” came out in 1981.
Spielberg won an Academy AwardSpielberg won an Academy Award
nomination for best director.nomination for best director.
Later he directed the film’s twoLater he directed the film’s two
sequels, “Indiana Jones and thesequels, “Indiana Jones and the
Temple of Doom” and “IndianaTemple of Doom” and “Indiana
Jones and the Last Crusade.”Jones and the Last Crusade.”
10. 1982 – “E.T.”1982 – “E.T.”
In 1982, “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” toppled theIn 1982, “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” toppled the
film Jaws from the all time top-grossing moviefilm Jaws from the all time top-grossing movie
ranking.ranking.
Appealed to suburban America, the story lineAppealed to suburban America, the story line
became a classic hit.became a classic hit.
• Once again, Spielberg earned an AcademyOnce again, Spielberg earned an Academy
Award nomination for best director,Award nomination for best director,
Spielberg’s status was “the first director sinceSpielberg’s status was “the first director since
Alfred Hitchcock to become a householdAlfred Hitchcock to become a household
name.”name.”
11. 1982 - Spielberg creates “Amblin” Entertainment1982 - Spielberg creates “Amblin” Entertainment
Universal Studios restricted theUniversal Studios restricted the
amount of films he could produce,amount of films he could produce,
this was a hindrance to Spielberg’sthis was a hindrance to Spielberg’s
will, therefore, he was stimulated towill, therefore, he was stimulated to
found his own production companyfound his own production company
“Amblin”.“Amblin”.
Amblin Entertainment, using theAmblin Entertainment, using the
E.T. logo as its trademark of goodE.T. logo as its trademark of good
fortune from the movie E.T.fortune from the movie E.T.
At this point in his career SpielbergAt this point in his career Spielberg
was perceived more as of awas perceived more as of a
producer than a director.producer than a director.
Spielberg did not find producing asSpielberg did not find producing as
satisfying as directing and graduallysatisfying as directing and gradually
has become less involved.has become less involved.
12. 1985 – “The Color Purple”1985 – “The Color Purple”
Spielberg directed “The Color Purple” (whichSpielberg directed “The Color Purple” (which
launched Oprah Winfrey's career), as alaunched Oprah Winfrey's career), as a
response to critics claiming that he can't makeresponse to critics claiming that he can't make
a "serious" movie.a "serious" movie.
This “serious” movie received a lot of “serious”This “serious” movie received a lot of “serious”
critical acclaim, and brought the Directors Guildcritical acclaim, and brought the Directors Guild
of America award to Spielberg for Theatricalof America award to Spielberg for Theatrical
Direction in 1985, as well as 11 OscarDirection in 1985, as well as 11 Oscar
nominations, but not one honoring the director.nominations, but not one honoring the director.
As a consolation prize, he did receive theAs a consolation prize, he did receive the
prestigious Irving G. Thalberg Award in 1987.prestigious Irving G. Thalberg Award in 1987.
13. 1987 saw the release of “Empire of the Sun”1987 saw the release of “Empire of the Sun”
““Always” was released in 1989Always” was released in 1989
““Hook” was released in 1991.Hook” was released in 1991.
These were each moderate successes, while theThese were each moderate successes, while the
latter two were pretty forgettable, especially by thelatter two were pretty forgettable, especially by the
time 1993 came around.time 1993 came around.
15. Jurassic ParkJurassic Park
Spielberg made a major careerSpielberg made a major career
resurgence in 1993 with the specialresurgence in 1993 with the special
effect-heavy dinosaur extravaganzaeffect-heavy dinosaur extravaganza
Jurassic Park.Jurassic Park.
Jurassic Park made an outstandingJurassic Park made an outstanding
impression, with a record-settingimpression, with a record-setting
opening weekend gross of $70opening weekend gross of $70
million and a total gross of $357million and a total gross of $357
million.million.
The film encouraged and launchedThe film encouraged and launched
other big money franchises,other big money franchises,
including two sequels, the lostincluding two sequels, the lost
World: Jurassic Park (1997), whichWorld: Jurassic Park (1997), which
Spielberg directed, and JurassicSpielberg directed, and Jurassic
Park 3, which he produced.Park 3, which he produced.
16. ““Schindler’s List”Schindler’s List”
Also in 1993, Spielberg displayed anAlso in 1993, Spielberg displayed an
affectionate, caring, and giving side of himselfaffectionate, caring, and giving side of himself
when he released his sobering black and whitewhen he released his sobering black and white
adaptation of Thomas Keneally’s prize winningadaptation of Thomas Keneally’s prize winning
novel "Schindler’s List", the story of anovel "Schindler’s List", the story of a
complicated real life hero.complicated real life hero.
"Schindler’s List" earned over $100 million at"Schindler’s List" earned over $100 million at
the box office.the box office.
Spielberg gave all of his earnings from the filmSpielberg gave all of his earnings from the film
to the Righteous Persons Foundation, anto the Righteous Persons Foundation, an
organization that supports a number of projectsorganization that supports a number of projects
that impacted modern Jewish life.that impacted modern Jewish life.
17. 1998-20051998-2005
20052005 “Munich”“Munich”
2005 “2005 “War of the Worlds”War of the Worlds”
2004 “2004 “The Terminal”The Terminal”
2002 “2002 “Catch Me If YouCatch Me If You
Can”Can”
2002 “2002 “Minority Report”Minority Report”
2001 “2001 “A.I.”A.I.”
1998 “1998 “Saving Private Ryan”Saving Private Ryan”
18. Roger Ebert (Sun-Times film critic) said: "If Spielberg neverRoger Ebert (Sun-Times film critic) said: "If Spielberg never
directed another film, his place in movie history would bedirected another film, his place in movie history would be
secure. No other director has been more successful at the boxsecure. No other director has been more successful at the box
office and few placed more titles on various lists of greatoffice and few placed more titles on various lists of great
films. No director or producer has ever put together a morefilms. No director or producer has ever put together a more
popular body of work" (popular body of work" ( FilmmakersFilmmakers).).
