Before I go off and direct a movie I always look at 4 films. They tend to be: Seven Samurai, Lawrence of Arabia, It's a Wonderful Life, and The Searchers.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Spielberg lists four specific films he reviews before starting a new project to ground himself.
- In plain terms
- I watch four classic films before directing a movie.
- What can you take from it?
- Study classics before starting a new creative project.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What films inspire you before work?
- Should you study past work?
Another view
These four films may not reflect all modern storytelling needs.
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