Presentation Script
Can the recurring narrative theme of dysfunctional families define Steven Spielberg as an auteur?
Steven Spielberg's techniques and themes (item 4)
Speaker:
An auteur is defined as having clear themes and styles running throughout their work. From this definition can we assume that Steven Spielberg's work maintains these key concepts that make him out t be an auteur? This clip speaks, in detail, about the different techniques and themes that Spielberg's work includes. I believe that Spielberg allows us to relate to his narrative and to be able to comprehend his personal touch that he manages to successfully add into each of his films. This book allows us to see what styles directors' use that would then allow us to class them as auteurs. The specific theme 'dysfunctional families' that Spielberg uses could, by this definition, class him as a successful auteur.
Projector: Dr. Alan gets children to climb the fence, Jurassic Park scene (item 1)
Speaker:
In this scene we see Lex and Tim Murphy with Dr. Alan as they try to climb the fence. The wire acts as a clear barrier between them and freedom. This could relate to how Spielberg felt when his parents were going through a divorce as he felt he was very isolated and had no way of escaping it due to the fact that nobody really understood how he felt. 'Even the absence of family has influenced his directing decisions' (item 15) this reinforces the point of how Spielberg liked to incorporate his own personal experiences into his work like he does in Jurassic Park and the struggle the children have in terms of making a relationship with the other characters. This is a clear theme that Spielberg likes to use in his films.
Projector: "I'll be right here' E.T scene (item 3)
Speaker:
One of Spielberg's main aims of producing a movie is to 'reconstitute the spectator as a child, then to overwhelm him and her with sound and spectacle' (item 17). This scene of E.T in which Elliot says goodbye to E.T shows the bond that they have made throughout this production. However, although E.T has to leave Elliot, he is now able to develop himself as a person much like Spielberg did when he found his love for his work as a director after the divorce of his parents (item 10). In this film there is also another key scene in which E.T points at the sky it relates back to Spielberg's childhood as he states his father used to point his finger to the sky when he was younger (item 8).
Projector: 'The topic of a broken family provides a filmmaker with enormously sympathetic material' (item 5)
Speaker:
Spielberg experiencing his parents divorcing at a young age resulted in him becoming a very isolated and alienated individual. This quote indicates that although Spielberg's childhood was far from perfect, his isolation within his family has made him out to be a successful and passionate director. These have then made a base for how his work has turned out. In 'Saving Private Ryan' (item 2) the circumstances that the soldiers find themselves in relates back to how Spielberg was feeling once his parents had split. However the films that Spielberg directs always contain an element that a character is able to make a bond with, such as the characters in SPR in which they all form a bond with each other whilst trying to find Private Ryan.
Speaker:
An interview that discusses the parent-child relationships that are illustrated in Spielberg's productions state that 'Spielberg described himself as feeling like an alien during childhood' (item 16). This highlights the key themes that Spielberg allows us, as an audience, to relate to at a personal level. This would indicate that his work has successfully incorporated the recurring theme of a dysfunctional family into each of his films, but in different ways.
Projector: Empire online Steven Spielberg interview
Although Spielberg likes to add his own unique touch to every piece of work he produces, he also likes working alongside producers and directors to enhance and improve his way of thinking. This means discovering other elements and themes that he could incorporate into his own films to make them more enjoyable for an audience as a whole.
BBC interview with Steven Spielberg (item 11)
Speaker:
In many interviews Spielberg has focused on why he creates a certain type of movie that a wide audience can relate to. In this interview, Spielberg states how influential his parents were in his directing and filmmaking as he grew up. For example, his parents being indirectly affected by the Holocaust had lead him to direct SPR (item 2) in which we see elements of a dysfunctional family present but we can also see the massive impact his parents had on the film. In another interview with Channel 5 (item 12) Spielberg makes reference to how important his films are to him. By adding his own themes and styles into his work, he is able to fully invest himself into his productions and see how they develop as time goes on; watching them become a massive success is a massive achievement for both him and his family.
Conclusion:
Throughout Spielberg's work there have been many elements that have lead him to a box office success on more than one occasion. However, one thing is clear to me and that is how his personal experiences have framed the way he performs as a director. Being a successful auteur not only means having distinct themes and styles running throughout the productions made, but it also means being successful in this industry. 'Family has always played a central role in Spielberg's life and career' (item 15). This quote indicates that although his tough childhood has caused isolation and alienation for Spielberg, he was able to put all of his feelings and emotions into being a successful director and creating productions that are not only pleasing to the eye, but allows an audience to be able to relate to the narrative within the film. Spielberg has demonstrated his passion and dedication for the films he has made and for me the answer to the above question is quite clear; Steven Spielberg is and will carry on to be a very successful auteur.
