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April 4, 2024 • 1hr 38min
Steven Spielberg
Founders
This episode explores the life and career of Steven Spielberg, one of the most commercially successful and influential filmmakers in history. It examines how Spielberg developed his passion for movies from a young age, taught himself the craft of filmmaking, and went on to revolutionize Hollywood with blockbusters like Jaws and E.T. The episode draws insights from the biography "Steven Spielberg: A Biography" by Joseph McBride as well as a documentary about Spielberg's life and career.
Steven Spielberg
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Key Takeaways
- Singular focus and passion for filmmaking from a young age - Spielberg knew he wanted to be a director since age 12 and pursued it with "monomaniacal dedication"
- Developed his own curriculum and education in filmmaking - Unable to get into film school, Spielberg created his own "private tutorial program" at Universal Studios
- Enthusiasm and talent attracted important mentors - Spielberg's passion impressed industry veterans like Chuck Silvers who helped open doors for him
- Resourcefulness and ability to adapt - Spielberg was skilled at making the most of whatever resources were available on set
- Learned financial discipline from George Lucas - After early budget overruns, Spielberg became more cost-conscious after working with Lucas
- Questioned conventional wisdom of the film industry - Along with other "movie brats" like Lucas and Coppola, Spielberg helped reinvent Hollywood
- Built long-term relationships and teams - Spielberg worked with many of the same crew members for decades, allowing for faster and more efficient filmmaking
- Balanced commercial success with artistic vision - Spielberg was able to make hugely profitable blockbusters while still pursuing more personal projects
Introduction
This episode explores the life and career of Steven Spielberg, one of the most commercially successful and influential filmmakers in history. It examines how Spielberg developed his passion for movies from a young age, taught himself the craft of filmmaking, and went on to revolutionize Hollywood with blockbusters like Jaws and E.T. The episode draws insights from the biography "Steven Spielberg: A Biography" by Joseph McBride as well as a documentary about Spielberg's life and career.
Topics Discussed
Early Life and Passion for Film (4:30)
Spielberg displayed an intense interest in filmmaking from a very young age:
- At age 12, Spielberg could envision himself accepting an Oscar and thanking the Academy
- He pursued filmmaking with "monomaniacal dedication" as a teenager, to the exclusion of other typical adolescent activities
- Spielberg said "I was more or less a boy with a passion for a hobby that grew out of control and somewhat consumed me"
- "I knew that after my third or fourth little film that this was going to be a career, not just a hobby"
Developing His Own Filmmaking Education (34:52)
Unable to get into film school, Spielberg created his own curriculum:
- As an intern at Universal Studios, Spielberg "devised what amounted to his own private tutorial program"
- He immersed himself in aspects of filmmaking he found most crucial to his development
- Spielberg would visit sets, talk with editors and sound mixers, and observe the filmmaking process
- This self-directed education gave him both a personal and practical filmmaking education
Early Career and Mentors (27:41)
Spielberg's enthusiasm attracted important mentors who helped launch his career:
- Chuck Silvers, Universal's film librarian, became Spielberg's earliest mentor in the industry
- Silvers was impressed by Spielberg's energy and passion, saying "With Steven, nothing was impossible"
- Sid Sheinberg, a Universal executive, offered Spielberg a directing contract at age 21 after seeing his short film Amblin
- These mentors opened doors and advocated for Spielberg early in his career
Breakthrough with Jaws (56:55)
The production of Jaws was extremely difficult but became Spielberg's big break:
- The film went way over budget and schedule, with the mechanical shark constantly malfunctioning
- Spielberg had to get creative, using music and implied suspense rather than showing the shark
- He thought the film would be a failure and end his career
- Jaws became a massive hit and the highest-grossing film ever at the time
- It gave Spielberg the clout to get final cut and choose his projects going forward
Collaboration and Competition with Other "Movie Brats" (36:52)
Spielberg was part of a group of young filmmakers who reinvented Hollywood:
- Along with George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese and others, they were known as the "Movie Brats"
- They challenged the existing studio system and brought new energy to filmmaking
- There was friendly competition, with their films trading box office records
- This group of friends pushed each other creatively while also collaborating
Learning Financial Discipline (58:55)
After early budget overruns, Spielberg became more cost-conscious:
- His early films like Jaws and Close Encounters went over budget
- Working as a "hired hand" for George Lucas on Raiders of the Lost Ark taught him discipline
- Lucas helped Spielberg learn to bring films in on budget
- This allowed Spielberg to see more profits on the backend of his films
Balancing Commerce and Art (1:08:57)
Spielberg was able to make hugely profitable films while still pursuing more personal projects:
- Films like E.T. and Jurassic Park were massive commercial hits
- He used his clout to make more serious films like Schindler's List
- Spielberg said "I never felt life was good enough, so I had to embellish it" through his films
- He maintained creative vision while also being savvy about the business side of filmmaking
Building Long-Term Teams (50:54)
Spielberg worked with many of the same crew members for decades:
- He said this allowed him to work more quickly and efficiently
- The shared knowledge and communication built up over years of collaboration
- This applied to both the creative team and business relationships
- Long-term partnerships allowed for a compounding of knowledge and skills
Advice on Hiring and Team Building (1:15:07)
The episode includes advice from Spielberg and other entrepreneurs on hiring:
- Steve Jobs said hiring is "the most important job" for a startup founder
- Warren Buffett emphasized hiring people smarter than yourself
- Nolan Bushnell (founder of Atari) hired for passion and intensity
- Great founders recognize hiring as a critical function and often do it themselves
Conclusion
Steven Spielberg's career demonstrates the power of pursuing one's passion with singular focus and dedication. From teaching himself filmmaking as a teenager to becoming one of the most successful directors in history, Spielberg combined raw talent with an ability to learn, adapt, and build strong teams. His story offers lessons not just for aspiring filmmakers, but for entrepreneurs in any field - on the importance of self-directed learning, attracting mentors, questioning conventional wisdom, balancing commercial and creative goals, and building lasting partnerships. Ultimately, Spielberg's greatest skill may have been his ability to maintain his childlike wonder and enthusiasm for storytelling, even as he mastered the business side of Hollywood.