HBO’s Spielberg Documentary: A Must-See for Aspiring Directors

HBO’s “Spielberg” is more than a biography, it’s a mini masterclass detailing some of the most influential scenes in the history of American cinema.

Cover image via HBO.

Warning: contains spoilers!

Prepare to be amazed by HBO’s latest documentary, Spielberg. The opening scenes will leave you speechless. You’ll witness the iconic, creeping sunrise of the entrance into the desert sequence from David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia. And to top it off, you’ll hear Spielberg himself admit that this masterpiece set the bar too high for him as a young filmmaker. But luckily, he didn’t give up on his dreams.

In fact, Lawrence of Arabia became a catalyst for Spielberg’s career. He would return each week to watch, analyze, and dissect the film, realizing that there are themes beyond the narrative story. Themes that delve into the core of a character’s identity. This question of “Who am I?” became the driving force behind Spielberg’s work.

But Spielberg is not just a biography. It’s a 2.5-hour journey into the mind of one of American cinema’s greatest filmmakers. Aspiring directors, screenwriters, and cinematographers can learn valuable strategies and approaches for creating memorable characters, crafting visual stories, and thriving in uncertain situations.

One of Spielberg’s greatest strengths is his understanding of visual storytelling. He doesn’t rely on dialogue or sound effects to convey a story. Instead, he uses the power of moving pictures and images to propel the narrative forward. Just watch the nail-biting scene from Munich with the sound turned off. Even without a single line of dialogue, you’ll understand the scenario, the players involved, the stakes, and the ticking clock. Spielberg’s attention to geography ensures that the audience is never confused, always immersed in the story.

Lighting is another crucial element in Spielberg’s films. He knows that good lighting can make actors look pretty, but great lighting can tell a story. Take Schindler’s List for example. The lighting setups in this film emphasize the personality and emotions of the characters at different stages of the story. Amon Goethe, the main antagonist, is always beautifully lit from the front, with minimal shadows, reflecting his clear and unapologetically cruel character. On the other hand, Oskar Schindler, the conflicted protagonist, is lit with directional and side lighting, creating shadows on his face during his moments of inner conflict.

Finally, Spielberg teaches us the importance of embracing uncertainty and failure. In the making of Jaws, the mechanical failures of the shark prop forced Spielberg to get creative. Instead of showing the shark on-screen, he used yellow barrels and John Williams’s unforgettable score to create tension and fear. This unexpected solution turned a potential failure into a stroke of genius.

Spielberg