Key Takeaways:
– Director Steven Spielberg is known for an unwritten rule of shooting any scene in just seven takes.
– During the filming of iconic film Jurassic Park, Spielberg broke this rule when shooting the film’s ending scene.
– The superstar director confessed that he became addicted to the journey of making the film, hence the excessive number of takes.
– Steven Spielberg’s dedication led to Jurassic Park grossing over a billion dollars globally.
Overview
Legendary film director Steven Spielberg has a reputation for precise filmmaking, so precise that he typically operates with an unwritten rule of seven. Spielberg normally shoots each of his scenes in no more than seven takes, a method that has served him well throughout his distinguished career. However, during the making of the 1993 mammoth hit, Jurassic Park, Spielberg had to break this treasured rule.
The Spielberg’s Seven
Noted for his efficiency, Spielberg’s process of shooting his projects much like television shows has contributed to his massive success in the industry. Limiting himself to seven takes per scene allows him to maintain a rapid pace of production without sacrificing quality. Yet, even the most disciplined artists must sometimes step outside their comfort zones, as Spielberg did during the filming of Jurassic Park.
Breaking the Golden Rule
Assistant director, John T. Kretchmer, who was on set during an anniversary event for the film, disclosed some behind-the-scenes secrets. Kretchmer revealed that Spielberg broke his unwritten rule aplenty during the filming of the final shot of Jurassic Park. Not sequence-wise, the last shot involved Richard Attenborough popping and drinking champagne before the group enters the park.
According to Kretchmer, Spielberg rolled the scene once, twice, and then exceeded his limit with up to twenty takes. Baffled, Kretchmer had to intervene, gently guiding Spielberg aside to ask why he was pumping out far more shots than usual.
The Emotional Connection
Unheard of before, Spielberg earnestly confessed his attachment to the blockbuster movie. Filming Jurassic Park had become addictive for the iconic director, and he was reluctant to wrap up the project, despite having nailed the perfect shot. Spielberg’s dedication led to extending the shoot beyond its natural conclusion and breaking his golden rule of seven takes.
Upcoming Projects
Kretchmer was quick to note that this extended shoot was not an indicator of Spielberg’s retirement or pause in productivity. Spielberg was set to start filming the award-winning ‘Schindler’s List’ in just six weeks after Jurassic Park, showcasing once again his passion and dedication for his craft. This moment of Spielberg’s boundless admiration for the process of filmmaking was one of many that have defined his celebrated career.
Conclusion
Though Spielberg broke his golden rule during the shoot, this deviation proved beneficial for the movie’s success. Jurassic Park, thanks to Spielberg’s hard work, talent, and occasional rule-breaking, earned an astronomical $1.103 billion at the global box office. The film, one of the most iconic in the history of cinema, also paved the way for various sequels and spin-offs. Today, Jurassic Park continues to delight audiences worldwide, and remains available for streaming on Peacock.
