Does Steven Spielberg have any skills?

Answer 1

Spielberg's skills are greatly exagerrated. He was signed as a contract director for Universal's television and movie arms on the basis of his 28 minute short flim Amblin. His initial work on TV Night Gallery was almost universally panned. Joan Crawford, assigned to work with, thrteatened to walk out until lew Wasserman, head of MCA/Univerarsa; interceded on his behalf.

Spielberg directed a made for tv movie "Duel" that received critical approval. As a result he was assigned to direct Jaws, a movie with all the benchmarks of a major summer tentpole. Spielberg was almost incapable of pulling it off. The production ran over budget, was considered loosely edited and he was nearly fired from the set.

Brilliant editing by Universal staff saved the movie as well as the story itself.

From that point on, Spielberg became a legend, feasting on easy popcorn type scripts such as ET and Visitors of the Fourth Kind, both tentpole popcorn type entertainment in which directorial talent was not the driving force.

His directorial triumphs--the Indiana Jones movies--are also popcorn fare that hardly merits his inclusion as an an all time great director.

Schindler's List is arguably the only great movie directed by Spielberg and the only one which received a best picture.

Spielberg's reputation eclispes his skill sets. His name has become so revered in Hollywood for so long yet body of work belies that reputation.