Steven Spielberg - Unit 26 assignment 1 Notes

Research Quotes: 

"To be considered an auteur, a film-maker must have a body of work which can be analysed for ongoing themes and considerations, whether they occur intentionally or unintentionally. One example would be the theme of the distant father in Steven Spielberg's work." -http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-lancashire/plain/A22928772 

"Spielberg’s forte’, which is mass entertainment that requires some suspension of belief. This is what he’s known for most, and this is probably what he does best. Consider “E.T.,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “Jurassic Park,” to name a few. When it comes to treating audiences to thrilling escapist fare, Spielberg has no peer." 
-http://www.today.com/id/8309014/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/steven-spielberg-can-do-it-all/#.UkVaS2Rev8k

"Finding a touch of humor in the bleakest of stories is an indication that a filmmaker has endured enough life experience to realize that comedy and tragedy are intertwined.  An example can be seen even in “Schindler’s List” when Liam Neeson’s Oskar Schindler temporarily convinces the despicable Goeth that great rulers of the past spared those who ran afoul of their authority, then watched as a comically vain Goeth attempts to change. That character transformation was understandably short-lived, but it provided a much-needed and brief departure from the relentless brutality." -http://www.today.com/id/8309014/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/steven-spielberg-can-do-it-all/#.UkVaS2Rev8k 

How Spielberg can be considered an Auteur: 

• Uses lots of tracking and over the shoulder shots (dramatic) 
• Framing of the characters through rich foreground objects e.g. minority report 
• Lots of mirror use to emphasise a character  e.g. Munich
• Casts films frequently with actors such as Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford and Tom Cruise
• His films often show children in some sort of danger.
• Uses a lot of 'Offscreen Space' having onscreen performers staring at something usually off of Camera
• A common theme in many of his films is for ordinary people to discover something extraordinary- people. places, creatures etc. (Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981) (E.T. 1982) 
• Themes of sacrifice, morality/righteousness and triumph of an individual are all common themes in Spielberg's films. 
• Lots of dark colours impacting the tone of the movie representing sadness or evil and general negativity throughout the movies. This helps the audience feel sympathetic for a character in these scenes and expect to see a sad scene. 

Supporting films: 

1. Schindler's List- Saving Private Ryan
2. E.T. -Jurassic Park 

Comparison Films (different directors, same genre): 

1. Black Hawk Down -SPR 
2. King Kong -JP