Key Takeaways:
– Steven Spielberg is called the most prolific director in Hollywood.
– His famous photo sitting atop a mechanical shark during the filming of Jaws was staged, leading to his vow never to do so again.
– Despite encountering issues during the production of Jaws, Spielberg was saved from being fired by his mentor, Sid Sheinberg.
– Spielberg became an in-demand director after the success of Jaws, which was recognized as Hollywood’s first Summer blockbuster.
Famed Director’s Iconic Photo: More Than Meets the Eye
Hollywood heavyweight Steven Spielberg, with two Oscars under his belt, has long been renowned for his influential works that include blockbuster hits such as E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, and the Indiana Jones series. Alongside these, he’s praised for acclaimed dramas like Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan. Among all these, Spielberg carved a unique place in cinematic history with Jaws, the first-ever summer blockbuster, grossing over $476 million from a mere $9 million budget. However, one famed photo from this historic movie had a staged story behind it that Spielberg would come to regret.
The famed photograph features Spielberg sitting atop a mechanical shark used in the film. Unlike the thrilling scenes from the movie, this picture was a consequence of stage manipulation, not a spontaneous backstage moment. The photograph was taken at the behest of the set photographer which left Spielberg vowing never to let set photographers stage his shots ever again.
Payloads of Pitfalls: Spielberg Almost Fired for Jaws
While Spielberg’s artistic genius brought him to the helm of the horror classic, his journey through the murky waters of Jaws wasn’t all smooth sailing. Despite the triumph, Spielberg revealed that he had a brush with being ousted from the project due to continuous filming delays and inflated budgets that irked Universal Pictures.
Standing as his shield amid the storm of threats and intimidation, Spielberg’s mentor Sid Sheinberg, the then-CEO of Universal Studios, defended Spielberg fiercely, ensuring his continued participation in the project. Spielberg expressed his gratitude, stating “Every time there was an intention to replace me, Sid stepped in quietly behind the scenes and stopped it.”
Shooting Challenges
Shooting on the ocean was a preference of Spielberg, despite it being an expensive step not favored by the studio. His decision, he believed, lent an air of authenticity to the film that couldn’t be achieved with wave tanks. Consequently, the production had to grapple with unpredictable weather conditions, transferring the burden of risk onto Spielberg’s shoulders.
Constantly asked to reduce expenses where possible, Spielberg found himself in a difficult situation. He couldn’t sacrifice vital components of the script to reduce shoot time, costs, or risks. Ultimately, it was Spielberg’s steadfastness, coupled with Sheinberg’s support, that allowed him to continue steering the ship of the Jaws project.
Sid Sheinberg and Spielberg
Sheinberg wasn’t just a protector for Spielberg – he was also the man who discovered the budding filmmaker after noticing Spielberg’s short film, Amblin. Sheinberg was instrumental in bringing Spielberg’s future successes, such as E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Jurassic Park, to life, solidifying a dynamic partnership between the two.
The Spielberg-directed classic Jaws is currently available for streaming on the Starz channel on Apple TV. The iconic shark thriller continues to mesmerize audiences years post its release, making Spielberg’s picture atop the mechanical shark an enduring symbol of his pioneering film legacy.
