Biography Category
Name :
Steven Speilberg
Date :
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621
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Birth Date :
18/12/2047
Birth Place :
Cincinnati, Ohio in the United States,
Death Date :
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Born on December 18, 1947 at Cincinnati, Ohio in the United States, Steven Spielberg is the oldest and the only male child of the four children his parents had. His father Arnold Spielberg, was an electrical engineer and was involved in early development of computers while his mother Leah Adler, was a former concert pianist.
Childhood
Steven Spielberg's birth almost coincided with the first sightings of UFOs over the United States. There is some controversy to his year of birth as it is said that he was probably born a year earlier than what is generally believed. In the next few years, Steven was followed by three sisters, Anne, Sue, and Nancy. Steven would later complain that he spent his childhood in a house with three screaming young sisters and a mother who played the piano with seven other women. Although he was born in Ohio, young Steven would later grow up in Arizona.
In his childhood, he watched television most of the time as his mother indulged in an affair and his father too was busy in his own world. As a child, he kept shooting in the backyard with a camcorder. In 1952, one night, his father woke him up in the middle of the night and took him to an open ground where people were lying with blankets on, looking up at the sky. He was taken there to see the meteor shower. He remembers that it was scary to be awakened in the night and taken somewhere without being told where but it was quite pleasing to watch the cosmic meteor shower. From that moment he never looked at the dark skies as scary, but as a source of such wonderful occurrences. This incident helped him form an orientation that mystery offers promise and not threat
Another event in 1952 was his first experience of a movie theater. Again it was Arnold, his father, who took him, after carefully explaining what they were going to see. Not carefully enough, however, since Steven thought Cecil B. DeMille's film about a circus, The Greatest Show On Earth, was a real circus and not one on film. The circus interested him, since his mother had told him how an uncle had run away with one as a boy, the same uncle, it seems who had been in the black market, and had had hidden contraband watches under the family bed. The circus left a strong and everlasting impression on his mind. He was especially very impressed by one of the scenes: a train crash. As soon as he had a train set, Steven repeatedly recreated the train crash, and shadows of DeMille's cardboard characters drift through many of his films.
An Early Taste For Movies
He continued to find movies, unlike television, emotionally overwhelming. Especially Disney cartoons. At eight, he would come screaming home after watching Snow White and The Seven Dwarves. His parents did not understand it, because Walt Disney cartoons were not supposed to scare but to delight and enthral. His parents tried to keep him away from the feature cartoons.
Childhood
Steven Spielberg's birth almost coincided with the first sightings of UFOs over the United States. There is some controversy to his year of birth as it is said that he was probably born a year earlier than what is generally believed. In the next few years, Steven was followed by three sisters, Anne, Sue, and Nancy. Steven would later complain that he spent his childhood in a house with three screaming young sisters and a mother who played the piano with seven other women. Although he was born in Ohio, young Steven would later grow up in Arizona.
In his childhood, he watched television most of the time as his mother indulged in an affair and his father too was busy in his own world. As a child, he kept shooting in the backyard with a camcorder. In 1952, one night, his father woke him up in the middle of the night and took him to an open ground where people were lying with blankets on, looking up at the sky. He was taken there to see the meteor shower. He remembers that it was scary to be awakened in the night and taken somewhere without being told where but it was quite pleasing to watch the cosmic meteor shower. From that moment he never looked at the dark skies as scary, but as a source of such wonderful occurrences. This incident helped him form an orientation that mystery offers promise and not threat
Another event in 1952 was his first experience of a movie theater. Again it was Arnold, his father, who took him, after carefully explaining what they were going to see. Not carefully enough, however, since Steven thought Cecil B. DeMille's film about a circus, The Greatest Show On Earth, was a real circus and not one on film. The circus interested him, since his mother had told him how an uncle had run away with one as a boy, the same uncle, it seems who had been in the black market, and had had hidden contraband watches under the family bed. The circus left a strong and everlasting impression on his mind. He was especially very impressed by one of the scenes: a train crash. As soon as he had a train set, Steven repeatedly recreated the train crash, and shadows of DeMille's cardboard characters drift through many of his films.
An Early Taste For Movies
He continued to find movies, unlike television, emotionally overwhelming. Especially Disney cartoons. At eight, he would come screaming home after watching Snow White and The Seven Dwarves. His parents did not understand it, because Walt Disney cartoons were not supposed to scare but to delight and enthral. His parents tried to keep him away from the feature cartoons.
STEVEN SPIELBERG [1947]
American filmmaker, Steven Spielberg is the most acclaimed and the ever popular living entertainer of the late 20th century. Emerged as creative moviemaker in 1970; today, he is not only a successful producer-director but also a household name and a veritable brand the world over.
His films have shallow story lines but with his cutting edge filmmaking technique and spellbinding special effects, he has produced a series of blockbusters. From Jaws to Jurassic Park, Spielberg has never failed to amaze and amuse the audiences. He combines mass appeal with stylistic mastery to create a visual fusion that appeals filmgoers ranging from the restless kids to scholarly critics. With his obsession for quality and habit of paying attention to detail, he has created the most popular body of work any director has ever produced in the history of Hollywood.
His films display two most significant elements of human nature – wonder and hope. The typical Spielberg hero is drawn to discovery and the key shot is the revelation of the wonder he has discovered. Spielberg uses reflexivity and intertextuality to enhance the meaning of his films. Hence, using elements of science fiction (sci-fi) and fantasy he avoids heavy ideas to propound inspirational feelings, particularly childlike wonder and optimism.
Aggressive commercialism and childlike simplicity of his films have come to dominate the world’s film industry. Spielberg has not only succeeded as director and producer but also as a complete entertainer. With his venture Dreamworks SKG, a media company, he has excelled in every medium that convergent technologies have created including interactive games, television software, live action, music and animation for films.
As he successfully churns out box-office hits one after another; his dream of producing the greatest entertainment, and influencing masses seems to have come true.
American filmmaker, Steven Spielberg is the most acclaimed and the ever popular living entertainer of the late 20th century. Emerged as creative moviemaker in 1970; today, he is not only a successful producer-director but also a household name and a veritable brand the world over.
His films have shallow story lines but with his cutting edge filmmaking technique and spellbinding special effects, he has produced a series of blockbusters. From Jaws to Jurassic Park, Spielberg has never failed to amaze and amuse the audiences. He combines mass appeal with stylistic mastery to create a visual fusion that appeals filmgoers ranging from the restless kids to scholarly critics. With his obsession for quality and habit of paying attention to detail, he has created the most popular body of work any director has ever produced in the history of Hollywood.
His films display two most significant elements of human nature – wonder and hope. The typical Spielberg hero is drawn to discovery and the key shot is the revelation of the wonder he has discovered. Spielberg uses reflexivity and intertextuality to enhance the meaning of his films. Hence, using elements of science fiction (sci-fi) and fantasy he avoids heavy ideas to propound inspirational feelings, particularly childlike wonder and optimism.
Aggressive commercialism and childlike simplicity of his films have come to dominate the world’s film industry. Spielberg has not only succeeded as director and producer but also as a complete entertainer. With his venture Dreamworks SKG, a media company, he has excelled in every medium that convergent technologies have created including interactive games, television software, live action, music and animation for films.
As he successfully churns out box-office hits one after another; his dream of producing the greatest entertainment, and influencing masses seems to have come true.
December 18, 1947
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in the United States of America.
1963
Screening of first Steven Spielberg amateur film Firelight.
1969
Made professional debut at Atlanta Film Festival with a short film Amblin.
1970
Graduated with BA (English) from California State University.
1974
Directed first feature film The Sugarland Express.
1975
Directed Jaws which won three Oscars in 1976 Academy Awards.
November 27, 1985
Married to Amy Irving, actress.
1989
Divorced Amy Irving.
October 12, 1991
Married to Kate Capshaw, actress.
1982
Release of ET- the Extra-Terrestrial, the first movie from Amblin Entertainment, the company founded by Spielberg.
1994
Established Dreamworks SKG with David Geffen and Jeffery Katzenberg.
1997
Topped Forbes list of highest paid entertainers with $313 million.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in the United States of America.
1963
Screening of first Steven Spielberg amateur film Firelight.
1969
Made professional debut at Atlanta Film Festival with a short film Amblin.
1970
Graduated with BA (English) from California State University.
1974
Directed first feature film The Sugarland Express.
1975
Directed Jaws which won three Oscars in 1976 Academy Awards.
November 27, 1985
Married to Amy Irving, actress.
1989
Divorced Amy Irving.
October 12, 1991
Married to Kate Capshaw, actress.
1982
Release of ET- the Extra-Terrestrial, the first movie from Amblin Entertainment, the company founded by Spielberg.
1994
Established Dreamworks SKG with David Geffen and Jeffery Katzenberg.
1997
Topped Forbes list of highest paid entertainers with $313 million.
Unlike other successful young American filmmakers of the last two decades, Spielberg did not attend any of the major American University film programs. Largely self-taught, at the age of 16 his first feature was a two-hour science fiction movie titled Firelight. Firelight was premiered at a local movie house in Phoenix (Arizona). In 1969, his short film Amblin was instrumental in gaining him a job with Universal Studio’s television unit. There he directed episodes of Columbo, The Psychiatrist, Queen Marshall: Counselor at Law and Marcus Welby, M.D.". He also made three television movies, which included Duel (1971). Duel was released in theatres across Europe, where it won critical acclaim and commercial success.
Duel is the story of a salesman (Dennis Weaver) who is pursued by a giant diesel truck. The driver of the truck is never seen nor is the motive explained. This factor creates suspense in the movie.
Spielberg’s first production film was The Sugarland Express (1974). Pauline Kael has described this movie as "one of the most phenomenal debut films in the history of movies." The film is based on the true story of a Texas woman and her escaped convict husband who fight the law to regain custody of their baby. His choreographed car chases and deft handling of suspense and comedy are remarkable. Poor marketing could be one of the reasons for the failure of this memorably entertaining and poignant feature at the box office.
Spielberg’s second production Jaws faced a lot of production problems. The troubles chiefly owed to a young inexperienced director, a dissatisfied crew and a malfunctioning mechanical shark. In spite of these hurdles Jaws emerged as a classic tale of adventure that propelled Spielberg to the A–list of Hollywood directors.
His next film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind displayed the first development of his cinematic interest in the amazing world of children. In this film, Francois Truffaut is a scientist who has an open faith in the existence of extra terrestrial beings. The aliens in this revisionist work are initially terrifying. His works are infused with his childhood memories of the 50’s and early 60’s of American middle class suburbia. He has remarked that the experience was like "growing up with three parents – a mother, a father and a TV set." In Spielberg’s films, the characters are rarely at ease with their surroundings. When Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) has his first encounter with the extra terrestrial, he acknowledges the acceptance of greater powers in the universe.
Riding high after two blockbusters, Spielberg decided to try his hand at producing a colossal big budget comedy. His attempt resulted in 1941 (1979), a loud, and wildly uneven film about paranoia. The setting is a small coastal southern Californian town after the attack on Pearl Harbor. 1941 was perceived as a huge and indulgent flop but however in the ultimately run it yielded a profit.
One of Spielberg’s signature films is Raiders of the Lost Ark. Here, along with George Lucas and Harrison Ford, he introduced Dr. Indiana Jones, the celebrated archaeologist, teacher and adventurer, in the film that became the most popular of his screenings.
Spielberg’s next film was E. T. – The Extra Terrestrial for which he is best known. E. T. was an instant classic and a masterpiece as well. The film experience is overwhelmingly emotional. Here, Spielberg’s ability to portray imaginative possibilities beyond the realm of reason, is a result of his childlike sense of wonder. In 1982, he admitted, "I feel I’m still a kid. I’m 34 and I really haven’t grown up yet."
Spielberg’s The Twilight Zone - The Movie (1983) is a remake of an episode, which was scripted by Richard Matheson. It concerns old people who can be children again only if they strongly desire to be so.
Duel is the story of a salesman (Dennis Weaver) who is pursued by a giant diesel truck. The driver of the truck is never seen nor is the motive explained. This factor creates suspense in the movie.
Spielberg’s first production film was The Sugarland Express (1974). Pauline Kael has described this movie as "one of the most phenomenal debut films in the history of movies." The film is based on the true story of a Texas woman and her escaped convict husband who fight the law to regain custody of their baby. His choreographed car chases and deft handling of suspense and comedy are remarkable. Poor marketing could be one of the reasons for the failure of this memorably entertaining and poignant feature at the box office.
Spielberg’s second production Jaws faced a lot of production problems. The troubles chiefly owed to a young inexperienced director, a dissatisfied crew and a malfunctioning mechanical shark. In spite of these hurdles Jaws emerged as a classic tale of adventure that propelled Spielberg to the A–list of Hollywood directors.
His next film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind displayed the first development of his cinematic interest in the amazing world of children. In this film, Francois Truffaut is a scientist who has an open faith in the existence of extra terrestrial beings. The aliens in this revisionist work are initially terrifying. His works are infused with his childhood memories of the 50’s and early 60’s of American middle class suburbia. He has remarked that the experience was like "growing up with three parents – a mother, a father and a TV set." In Spielberg’s films, the characters are rarely at ease with their surroundings. When Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) has his first encounter with the extra terrestrial, he acknowledges the acceptance of greater powers in the universe.
Riding high after two blockbusters, Spielberg decided to try his hand at producing a colossal big budget comedy. His attempt resulted in 1941 (1979), a loud, and wildly uneven film about paranoia. The setting is a small coastal southern Californian town after the attack on Pearl Harbor. 1941 was perceived as a huge and indulgent flop but however in the ultimately run it yielded a profit.
One of Spielberg’s signature films is Raiders of the Lost Ark. Here, along with George Lucas and Harrison Ford, he introduced Dr. Indiana Jones, the celebrated archaeologist, teacher and adventurer, in the film that became the most popular of his screenings.
Spielberg’s next film was E. T. – The Extra Terrestrial for which he is best known. E. T. was an instant classic and a masterpiece as well. The film experience is overwhelmingly emotional. Here, Spielberg’s ability to portray imaginative possibilities beyond the realm of reason, is a result of his childlike sense of wonder. In 1982, he admitted, "I feel I’m still a kid. I’m 34 and I really haven’t grown up yet."
Spielberg’s The Twilight Zone - The Movie (1983) is a remake of an episode, which was scripted by Richard Matheson. It concerns old people who can be children again only if they strongly desire to be so.
I dream for a living.
People have forgotten how to tell a story. Stories don’t have middle or an end anymore. They usually have a beginning that never stops beginning.
I’ve discovered I’ve got this pre-occupation with ordinary people pursued by large forces.
The most expensive habit in the world is celluloid, not heroin and I need a fix every few years.
Only a generation of readers will span a generation of writers.
Playing is about fun, excitement, competition and bringing people together. It’s about escape, adventure and connecting. It gives each person the chance to prove that he or she can be a star.
I never felt comfortable with myself because I was never part of the majority. I always felt awkward and shy and on the outside of the momentum of my friends’ lives. I was never on the inside of that. I was always on the outside. I felt like an alien. I always felt like I never belonged to any group that I wanted to belong to. Unlike Woody Allen, you know, I wanted to become a member of the country club."
Spielberg isn’t a filmmaker, he’s a confectioner.
People have forgotten how to tell a story. Stories don’t have middle or an end anymore. They usually have a beginning that never stops beginning.
I’ve discovered I’ve got this pre-occupation with ordinary people pursued by large forces.
The most expensive habit in the world is celluloid, not heroin and I need a fix every few years.
Only a generation of readers will span a generation of writers.
Playing is about fun, excitement, competition and bringing people together. It’s about escape, adventure and connecting. It gives each person the chance to prove that he or she can be a star.
I never felt comfortable with myself because I was never part of the majority. I always felt awkward and shy and on the outside of the momentum of my friends’ lives. I was never on the inside of that. I was always on the outside. I felt like an alien. I always felt like I never belonged to any group that I wanted to belong to. Unlike Woody Allen, you know, I wanted to become a member of the country club."
Spielberg isn’t a filmmaker, he’s a confectioner.
1974
Cannes Film Festival: Best Screenplay, The Sugarland Express
1982
National Society of Film Critics: Best Director, E.T. - the Extra Terrestrial
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Film, E.T. - the Extra Terrestrial
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Director, E.T. - the Extra Terrestrial
Sha West Convention: Director of the Year
1985
Directors Guild of America: Theatrical Direction, The Color Purple
1987
Eastman Kodak: Second Century Award (with Burt Reynolds)
AMPAS: Irving G Thalberg Award for Career Achievement
1988
National Board of Review: Best Director, Empire of the Sun
1990
Retirement Research Foundation: Wise Owl Award (Television and Theatrical Film Fiction)
1991
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Animated Program, Steven Spielberg Presents Tiny Toon Adventures (shared)
1993
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Animated Program, Steven Spielberg Presents Tiny Toon Adventures (shared)
Venice Film Festival: Golden Lion Career Achievement Award
Peabody Award, Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs
National Board of Review: Best Picture, Schindler’s List (with Gerald R Molen and Branko Lustig)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Picture, Schindler’s List (with Gerald R Molen and Branko Lustig)
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Picture, Schindler’s List (with Gerald R Molen and Branko Lustig)
National Society of Film Critics: Best Picture, Schindler’s List (with Gerald R Molen and Branko Lustig)
National Society of Film Critics: Best Director, Schindler’s List (with Gerald R Molen and Branko Lustig)
Golden Globe: Best Picture (Drama), Schindler’s List (with Gerald R Molen and Branko Lustig)
Directors Guild of America: Best Motion Picture, Schindler’s List
Golden Globe: Best Director, Schindler’s List
Oscar: Best Director, Schindler’s List
Oscar: Best Picture, Schindler’s List
BAFTA: Best Film, Schindler’s List
BAFTA: Best Picture, Schindler’s List
1994
American Society of Cinematographers: Board of Governors Award
1995
American Film Institute: Lifetime Achievement Award
Artists Rights Foundation: John Houston Award
1996
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Animated Children’s Program, Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs (shared)
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Animated Program, Steven Spielberg Presents Pinky & The Brain: Christmas Special (shared)
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Special Class/ Animated Program, Steven Spielberg Presents Freakazoid! (Shared)
1997
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Animated Children’s Program, Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs (shared)
Producers Guild of America: Kodak Vision Award (Theatrical), Amistad (with Debbie Allen and Colin Wilson)
1998
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Picture, Saving Private Ryan
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Director, Saving Private Ryan
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Picture, Saving Private Ryan
Broadcast Film Critics Association: Best Director, Saving Private Ryan
Online Film Critics association: Best Picture, Saving Private Ryan
Online Film Critics association: Best Director, Saving Private Ryan
Producers Guild of America: Milestone Award
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association: Best Picture, Saving Private Ryan
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association: Best Director, Saving Private Ryan
Golden Globe: Best Picture (Drama), Saving Private Ryan (shared)
Golden Globe: Best Director, Saving Private Ryan
Chicago Film Critics: Best Picture, Saving Private Ryan (shared)
Producers Guild of America: Darryl F Zanuck Award (Theatrical Motion Picture), Saving Private Ryan
Directors Guild of America: Outstanding directorial Achievement in a Feature Film, Saving Private Ryan
Oscar: Best Director, Saving Private Ryan
Nastri d’Argento: Best Foreign Director, Saving Private Ryan
Rembrandt Awards: Audience Award, The Lost World: Jurassic Park
1999
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Special Class/Animated Program, Steven Spielberg Presents Pinky & The Brain (shared)
U S Navy: Distinguished Public Service Award, Saving Private Ryan
NACCP Vanguard Award
Cannes Film Festival: Best Screenplay, The Sugarland Express
1982
National Society of Film Critics: Best Director, E.T. - the Extra Terrestrial
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Film, E.T. - the Extra Terrestrial
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Director, E.T. - the Extra Terrestrial
Sha West Convention: Director of the Year
1985
Directors Guild of America: Theatrical Direction, The Color Purple
1987
Eastman Kodak: Second Century Award (with Burt Reynolds)
AMPAS: Irving G Thalberg Award for Career Achievement
1988
National Board of Review: Best Director, Empire of the Sun
1990
Retirement Research Foundation: Wise Owl Award (Television and Theatrical Film Fiction)
1991
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Animated Program, Steven Spielberg Presents Tiny Toon Adventures (shared)
1993
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Animated Program, Steven Spielberg Presents Tiny Toon Adventures (shared)
Venice Film Festival: Golden Lion Career Achievement Award
Peabody Award, Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs
National Board of Review: Best Picture, Schindler’s List (with Gerald R Molen and Branko Lustig)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Picture, Schindler’s List (with Gerald R Molen and Branko Lustig)
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Picture, Schindler’s List (with Gerald R Molen and Branko Lustig)
National Society of Film Critics: Best Picture, Schindler’s List (with Gerald R Molen and Branko Lustig)
National Society of Film Critics: Best Director, Schindler’s List (with Gerald R Molen and Branko Lustig)
Golden Globe: Best Picture (Drama), Schindler’s List (with Gerald R Molen and Branko Lustig)
Directors Guild of America: Best Motion Picture, Schindler’s List
Golden Globe: Best Director, Schindler’s List
Oscar: Best Director, Schindler’s List
Oscar: Best Picture, Schindler’s List
BAFTA: Best Film, Schindler’s List
BAFTA: Best Picture, Schindler’s List
1994
American Society of Cinematographers: Board of Governors Award
1995
American Film Institute: Lifetime Achievement Award
Artists Rights Foundation: John Houston Award
1996
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Animated Children’s Program, Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs (shared)
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Animated Program, Steven Spielberg Presents Pinky & The Brain: Christmas Special (shared)
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Special Class/ Animated Program, Steven Spielberg Presents Freakazoid! (Shared)
1997
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Animated Children’s Program, Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs (shared)
Producers Guild of America: Kodak Vision Award (Theatrical), Amistad (with Debbie Allen and Colin Wilson)
1998
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Picture, Saving Private Ryan
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Director, Saving Private Ryan
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Picture, Saving Private Ryan
Broadcast Film Critics Association: Best Director, Saving Private Ryan
Online Film Critics association: Best Picture, Saving Private Ryan
Online Film Critics association: Best Director, Saving Private Ryan
Producers Guild of America: Milestone Award
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association: Best Picture, Saving Private Ryan
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association: Best Director, Saving Private Ryan
Golden Globe: Best Picture (Drama), Saving Private Ryan (shared)
Golden Globe: Best Director, Saving Private Ryan
Chicago Film Critics: Best Picture, Saving Private Ryan (shared)
Producers Guild of America: Darryl F Zanuck Award (Theatrical Motion Picture), Saving Private Ryan
Directors Guild of America: Outstanding directorial Achievement in a Feature Film, Saving Private Ryan
Oscar: Best Director, Saving Private Ryan
Nastri d’Argento: Best Foreign Director, Saving Private Ryan
Rembrandt Awards: Audience Award, The Lost World: Jurassic Park
1999
Daytime Emmy: Outstanding Special Class/Animated Program, Steven Spielberg Presents Pinky & The Brain (shared)
U S Navy: Distinguished Public Service Award, Saving Private Ryan
NACCP Vanguard Award
