How JAWS almost Ruined Spielberg’s Career

[@DodfordYT]

A huge privilege to be involved in this project. I’ve been a Film Riot fan for almost a decade, so was incredible to work closely with Ryan! Hope you guys enjoy the hard work 🫶

[@THX0001]

Let's gooo man!!! Really happy to see you are getting the attention you deserve to have!

[@editwithego]

So awesome!!!

[@neutralmichaelc]

This was very well edited.

[@dallasdandigitalproduction393]

Loved it. Good job

[@thewkovacs316]

then how did you miss the family moving to arizona?

[@CoreyJohnson193]

Mr. Spielberg once almost tripped over myself and my friend at the filming of Lincoln. He was amazingly kind. He stopped, apologized then ran to the bathroom. This is the day after I almost hit him and his friend with a Jeep... Luckily, he didn't remember that... And is honestly a cool person. It was amazing to watch him and his crew prepare for shots. His movies feel like a complex game. Truly amazing. Great video!

[@HappyGo-Lucky]

Hi Corey, please stay away from Mr. Speilberg in the furture - Fans

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

Man you are so lucky to see the master at work

[@bunny.thebest9103]

One of the greatest filmmakers of all time. The influence on the modern cinema is unmatched.

[@offbeat65]

Fellini, Bunuel, Bergman, Jancsó, Kurosawa - these are great filmmakers. Is Spielberg a match to them in any way? Hell no.

[@aarezbanoori8296]

@@offbeat65never heard of any of them lol

[@DSLRguide]

this feels too good for youtube, stellar work!

[@dfhouse]

I can't imagine my life without Steven's work in it.

[@Carousel5883]

Omg that's like a world without MJs music.Were so blessed to have both of them..I'm not ready to lose SS.

[@MallettMotion]

I had no idea the Fablemans (fantastic movie) was based off of his life, totally gives me a new perception of him. He really is one of the most quintessential directors in history.

[@ZachRamelan]

This was so well-edited and written! MORE OF THESE!!! Well done @dodford and @Filmriot

[@devinsupertramp]

LOVED THIS! SO much amazing info in this. Loved this series and would be stoked to see more!!!

[@michaelscott981]

It’s absolutely incredible that such a trouble, messy production lead to an pretty much perfect and iconic film.

[@DialloMoore503]

It’s not uncommon. A lot of production mistakes turn out to be blessings.

[@DeltaDemon1]

Jaws was the first "adult" movie I saw from beginning to end. I saw it in French at age of 7. I am French Canadian but Jaws was in France French and badly translated at that (as most are) so I had a bit of difficulty following all of it (especially why the shark exploded at the end). However, the "Jaws Zoom" as I called it, the weird inline zoom on Chief Broady on the beach made me appreciate film making. It explained everything...all of the emotion without a word. Best film making.

[@73v1n]

This is the best thing Film Riot has ever made. I'm not discounting all the other awesome things you guys have made either. This is just so good! Please keep making these high-quality, in-depth docs about the film industry!

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

The one thing that seems to go mostly unacknowledged here was the editing by legend Verna Fields, which I think adds just as much as the score to the imaginative terror of the film?

[@obalfaqih]

This episode is full of passion and inspiration and it was told with full passion that you could spot in Ryan's eyes. Huge love and respect goes to Mr. Spielberg, Film Riot team, and the filmmakers out there! 🙏🙏

[@Jared_Wignall]

Despite how hard it was to be made, Jaws is one of the greatest movies in the entire history of cinema. Great direction, great writing, great performances, great score, great everything. Thank you for making this video man, hope you’re doing well. Take care!

[@itscinegee]

Just when you think filmriot Ryan and his team can’t get better, they go and put this amazing documentary out. Love it, well done to all involved

[@webgraphr718]

This is a wonderful, inspiring video! Got me a little choked up at the end too. What an amazing career and legacy. Thank you Film Riot for this video and congrats to the entire team for this piece!

[@jacobwest7]

The fact that his movie was even in the running let alone considered good is a triumph itself for a new director

[@justanothercreator7273]

Jaws. Close encounters. ET. Probably the best movies ever made. And still holds up. No remakes needed. Genius

[@bmkhalidhasan]

This episode is just shivering! Thanks Film Riot for presenting such a masterful documentary. I love Spielberg for his unmatched expertise in almost all genres in movie industry. This guy can adopt all the latest technology unlike anyone. ❤

[@DezeKeerTimo]

I love the quality of this episode! Such an interesting story as well. Can't wait for more episodes of this series!

[@Steve_643]

What Spielberg pulled off on Jaws was a master class of directing. Even though the shots of the mechanical shark look dated the movie holds up 50 years later.

[@matthewalvarado8243]

Magnificent stuff. Having already been familiar with Spielberg’s experience on Jaws, through books and documentaries, I still found this delightful and inspiring. Well done, lads!

[@bhardnavares5903]

To think those struggles Speilberg faced during "Jaws" was a blessing in disguise because it tested him right away if he got what it takes to be a director. And boy he did.

[@chris_sparrows]

This was really good. I know a bit about Spielberg and his work, but really enjoyed watching your telling of his journey to "make it" in the industry. Thank you, very inspiring.

[@KesAgnew]

Great, well put together video! Thank-you so much :)

[@johnprudent3216]

Great video. The thing I’m seeing here in Spielberg’s story is that not only did so much have to go right, a lot of things had to go wrong. Think about it: if it wasn’t for the unfortunate separation of his parents, he would never have have moved to California or get that first rejection from Universal, which in itself kept Universal’s eye on him; if things had been so difficult on Jaws then the victory the film got later might not been have sweet ( or even happen for that matter). The fact that Spielberg and crew turned what could’ve been B-movie into serious dramatic thriller (worthy of Award contention) is amazing in itself. Stories like his make me wish I could’ve taken more risks like that earlier in life.

[@sumedhshinde7733]

Man the ending montage gave me goosebumps and tears.

[@hiroprotagonist525]

It should be noted, that Universal DIDN'T just OFFER him to produce Amblin out of the kindness of their heart; he was told if he wanted to be taken seriously, he would have to shoot something in 35mm and HE produced Amblin. HE paid for it! He may have used short ends (whatever is left when the camera assistant changed the mag for a fresh one... sometimes it's nothing, just a few seconds, but most of the time, you can probably scrounge a two minute here, a five minute there etc, the point is short ends are useless to professional productions but can be a goldmine to independent filmmakers, well, at least in the days of film anyway). So he made the shortest film he could think of because he didn't have the budget of a studio (obviously), and Amblin was born. This btw, came about after Spielberg managed to introduce himself inside the studio lot by wearing a suit and a briefcase, making the security guard at the gate think he was a young executive, meanwhile his briefcase only had a sandwich and a reel of Firelight, and it was during this short period where he was able to convince an exec to sit long enough to watch his 16mm film, and it was this exec who told him he had to make something in 35mm or he'd never be taken seriously. My guess, and this is only a guess from one guy, is that the executive already had an idea Spielberg was worth the trouble, or he would simply have kicked him off the studio lot. Telling his to shoot something in 35mm may have been a bit of a test, but personally I think it was just so he could show it to his boss and not feel like a fool. Making a film in those days was expensive but getting into the business was easier that in was after. 25 years after Amblin, getting into pictures, especially as a director, had become next to impossible, ironically due in no small part to Spielberg (and Lucas), who's films grossed so much that the stakes were now higher than they were when he started. Now making a film is easier than it's ever been thanks to technology, but the industry has suffered a severe head injury and gone stupid. There is more dead space between the ears of a studio exec than in the dead of space and the general public, now raised on Tik Tok, has become dumber than it ever was.

[@AntonPatsi]

The editing of this is insane!! Excited to see more content like this :)

[@MrCreatorCC]

Amazing and Legendary History Telling, Steven Spielberg is one of my Favorite Directors.

[@scottwild]

The closing compilation gave me chills. Just magical. Thank you for making this.

[@195511SM]

''Duel'' .....I remember it was the ABC Movie of the Week & I was in high school when it aired. And I recall being in the Marines & was stationed on Oahu when "Jaws" was released. Saw it at a huge theater in downtown Honolulu...& stood in line for so long, that I passed out. Of course it was a hot day. I believe I had just arrived over there, but NEVER dared go swimming again. .

[@elichilton7031]

I have heard this story before, however you managed to present it with a fresh perspective. Good on yah.

[@TheDripGodz]

My dad was Steven Spielberg’s chauffeur in the 90’s. It fuels my creativity at times!

[@ReviewBru]

This is an amazing, well documented video on Spielberg. I sure learnt a lot more about the man I didn’t even know. Thank you. Keep making these kind of videos. Gripping from beginning to end.

[@JJPassmore12]

Wow, wonderful video! I've heard Spielberg's story countless times and can't get enough of it. This was presented so well, please keep this series going

[@abiskar7231]

Woah! This video felt like a movie. What an amazing sound design, music and the overall pace of the video with that storytelling was on point and perfect. Loved the video.

[@edwardvega3354]

Most incredible & inspiring video I've seen all month. Masterfully edited and put together. Thanks for always bringing the top notch content!

[@lidarman2]

We talk about all the amazing directors and editors but John Williams has made enabled successes that anyone else I can think of.

[@rongendron8705]

I'm the same age as Steven Spielberg, (76) & also made short, scripted 8mm movies with friends, starting at age 13! (At 17, while in Army Basic training in 1964, my 'bunkmate', 23 year old Terry Gilliam would go on to become the only American with England's "Monty Python" & also a famous moviemaker!) Steven Spielberg is a 'genius' moviemaker, but like Thomas Edison had said, i.e. "Genius is 10% inspiration & 90% perspiration"!

[@AbiV3]

I really wish you would make content like this but for modern filmmakers. We always hear about the classic no film school success stories, but its always from filmmakers in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. Making it into the film industry the way Tarantino, Kevin Smith, & even Chris Nolan did is not the same way to get your foot in the door now. I want to hear more stories like David Sandberg and his success making it in our current time.

[@dejiadeleye5697]

This man paved the way for many creative minds

[@naveenmichaels]

Please continue this series. Film History is always awesome.

[@davewestner]

Wow, this video is really well done. Great storytelling, great narration, editing, sound and music. Nice work y'all!

[@QuincyKane]

Steven is my favorite director; he's influenced me in so many ways!

[@sunnynaguri]

Great episode. That montage towards the end 🥲.

[@jonathanmartin-ives8665]

On March 22nd, I will follow in Spielberg's footsteps as I've rented a local theater to screen my first-time effort, The Soul of St. Ives. 🎬 I was so moved by the story of his adventure at 17 years of age.

[@rathuone3001]

All the best 👍

[@jonathanmartin-ives8665]

@@rathuone3001 Thank you so much! I'm very excited.

[@moneybags6840]

All time? Hmm…. Not sure about best. Maybe “my favorite of all time” is more like it: Lucas, Scorsese, Kubrick, Scott (both Ridley and Tony), Nolan, Tarantino, Kurosawa, Ford, Hitchcock, Lumet, Cassavetes, Coppola, McTiernan (Die Hard), and the list goes on. Some stiff competition for ol’ Steve there, still.

[@bl2005]

refreshing documentary style content..i like this direction where u guys are heading..pls do more..lotsa love frm malaysia ✌️❤️🤙🇲🇾

[@demiloca]

Love it! Just a couple things stood out - testing my memory of a class I took on Spielberg at USC in 2018, specifically: it’s my understanding that Universal didn’t finance SS’s short film Amblin. SS got approx $15K Denis Hoffman to make it (Dennis says $25k and SS says $10K and Drew Casper at USC says $15K) who put him under contract for more films (Spielberg later sued him saying he had bought out contract but also lied he wasn’t of age to have made contract.) SS then used Amblin short successfully as calling card (his contact from a few years earlier, at Universal, Chuck Silver, was so impressed he got it looked at.). Also, re directing Jaws, more context: SS was being handed a film to direct as part of his contract at Columbia - not Jaws - when instead he saw the book Jaws in a producer’s office. Peter Benchley wrote jaws, signed with agency that also repped Zanuck and brown - told to go with Dick Richards as director. Spielberg Swipes galleys and reads that weekend but is told Dick Richards is directing. “Well maybe I should” - it's not personal. Dick Richards passes. Anyway, 2 thumbs up to compressing this joyride … !

[@lyndoncmp5751]

I thought Dick Richards was rejected because Richards kept referring to "the whale" instead of the shark.

[@starkj92]

Jaws's editor, Verna Fields, also deserves a lot of credit for the way the movie turned out-in many respects, more credit than Spielberg. Too bad you didn't mention her involvement in here.

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

Yes, completely agree! Sadly editors in general get overlooked a lot, and women in behind-the-camera positions ditto? Only learnt about her very recently and do rather wish the stories of amazing greats like her, Edith Head, Lina Wertmüller & so many others got more attention, instead of more episodes focusing on the already-very-well-trodden stories of Spielberg, Cameron, Tarantino & Co...?

[@michaelkuhlman883]

While Fields' contribution in keeping the tension of Jaws taut like a guitar string is undeniable, Spielberg gave her incredible footage TO cut, and many of the most impressive scenes in Jaws are Spielberg oners, complex dialogue and action in one long take, with NO cuts. It was Verna's task to merely select the best take.

[@Sssseytha]

Loving this channel more and more! great production and insight on alot of different topics. Keep it up!

[@lilianafranco8423]

This made me cry omg what an incredible career he had - and such a cool story to start

[@TheFilmmakersWorkshop]

What a great slice of movie history. Well done FR team

[@ADITLOyo]

Great video you guys I’ve been watching since I was 11 or 12 I’m 26 now and still learn from you guys every time.

[@bryans8653]

What a cool video. I love Spielberg films. My son and I just watched raiders of the lost ark and amazing how his films still hold up to this day.

[@robgroove]

Excellent. Please do more and make this a series.

[@BrooksdigitalMedia]

Amazing work as usual. Been following since before KZbin days. I hope you continue with these type of videos every now and then, loved it. Keep it up, and keep bringing the inspiration and creativity you always do.

[@edo_tokyo_]

We simple mortals take Mr. Spielberg for granted. How many blockbusters he has given us, hours of pure entertainment.

[@queencancerous5332]

The greatest living director

[@AryanSehgal]

This is beautiful. Congrats to the entire team!

[@HooDwin12]

This is awesome, I hope you guys make more of these!

[@christianleonardotalarico7080]

Magnificent piece of Film History you made there! Bravo! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@noahgvfx]

In love with this format guys!

[@Wes_Jones]

Try to imagine how different movie making would be today if Steven Spielberg had never picked up a camera as a boy. Legend.

[@paulidevoss7249]

Ron and Valerie Taylor shot a lot of the scary underwater footage that we see in the final film. They were down there with real sharks and getting up close to the action. That moment where the shark devours the cage is real and part of what they captured for the film

[@lyndoncmp5751]

First scene shot for Jaws, in February 1974. Before Dreyfuss was even cast.

[@keriatin5338]

What a great video man ! Thats it im making that short that i wasnt so sure about ! Thank you from the bottom of my heart,you always get me inspired,at the end i almost teared cause i know he didnt win that best picture, again ,thank you

[@Magmafire]

My priority to watch this video had little to do with Spielberg. I came here due to my respect for Ryan & Co, who consistently produce quality stories and visuals. One day you guys will get your blockbuster.

[@Onewiththestud]

I saw an advert for music bed competition today and am starting my entry lol

[@yukizboy3046]

Such an awesomely made video... especially love the montage at the end.

[@Skedooosh]

Spielberg is the greatest collaborator for sure, which is an essential skill for a director.

[@isaiahkazarovich]

Amazing video. You guys had me hooked from the first frame. It’s clear that you master storytellers. Keep it up!

[@ThisIsEloy3]

Jaws definitely deserved that Best Picture Award, Cuckoo’s Nest is great, but my God, Jaws is a masterpiece.

[@theRk1300]

Amazing.... More of history episodes are needed from you amazing people ❤️

[@maxpatrickhaynes2194]

Wow!! That montage of his films at the end was AWESOME!! And all the way up to The Fablemans!! You guys have a new fan!!

[@maxpatrickhaynes2194]

The only time I’ve ever seen Spielberg cocky ( predicting 11 nominations ), and it should have been nominated for 11, especially Best Director!! What’s snub !! I saw that movie in the theater at 9, and went back over and over again that summer. Also, fun fact, as an adult I lived across the street from The Medallion Theater in Dallas, Tx, which was the first official audience!! As you probably know, he then went back to L A , tightened up the jump scare with Richard D, and the floating head coming out of the boat ) and released it to the rest of the world. That theater , eventually was in the same parking lot as the first ever Blockbuster video store !! Crazy !! And Jaws became synonymous w/ the word blockbuster ! Great channel!!

[@dallasdandigitalproduction393]

Great work Ryan ! Y'all really kept me glued watching this Spielberg is such a legend

[@RebecaLawrence-w6e]

I enjoy these videos about Steven Spielberg.He is one of the best. Steven Spielberg reminds me of me. A love of movies. 🎥🦈❤️

[@jarrennickerson1346]

This was great to watch. Steven Spielberg is indeed the legend of filmaking.

[@Sam-higgins]

This is one of the best things I’ve watched in a while! Great job all! ❤

[@howkel]

I know this story backward and forward but I still watched the whole of the video. I just love Jaws that much. Well done to hit all the major points so succinctly.

[@PrototypeFilms1]

Love this video. JAWS is definitely the best Shark movie EVER.

[@davidjames579]

Loved the presentation. This should be on TV.

[@j4kyboi13]

Can’t believe this man only just got nominated and got an Oscar 30 years ago for Schindlers List

[@Ansy]

This documentary is so well realized! You are the steven Spielberg of KZbin ❤

[@mlegrand]

Is this a new series? I'm all in. 🙌🏻

[@jacksonanddakota4866]

Beautiful storytelling, Ryan.

[@SachaSmiles]

My favorite director !!

[@stevenmorley1639]

A down to earth Master of Film making . An Incredible Creater....

[@SDfan2002]

My favorite director of all time. I actually think his best film is ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’

[@GrandGeneralKukov]

I've seen almost all the archival Spielberg stuff out there and this thing has some footage and photos I didn't know existed. Also: the editing here is outstanding. Well done.

[@kennysmith1925]

For sure in terms of blockbusters, I think Steven is the undisputed king. Coppola and Scorsese in terms of cinema have had a greater impact on me, but they deal with more adult material which is never gonna be a blockbuster. Steven is more well-rounded and has more range, where he can take a war movie, holocaust movie,or a children's movie and still make it a success.

[@kiehl10]

A beautiful piece of nostalgia

[@JCContenidos]

Great episode guys!!!! loved it

[@HOUSEOFDONAFILMS]

Beautiful story

[@sandeepdasari7555]

man with intro, u gave me goosebumps

[@atomsofstardust]

This will probably be an unpopular opinion, but I enjoyed this video about Spielberg more than The Fabelmans! Fantastic job, guys!

[@GuineaPigEveryday]

Same here. I love Spielberg and I’ll always be a fan but someone as busy as him makes mistakes, Fabelmans felt like him just kind of pouring out his trauma into a movie and it was messy and weird and felt hysterical and almost schizophrenic, the mother and the affair plot, what the fuck was even happening, the filmmaking was all over the place and amateurish at times, and characters were overacting and being so strange in the movie. Seriously the scene when Spielberg finds our about the affair and the shot just holds, endlessly, rolling back and forth, like it feels like someone else made the movie because of how insane it felt to watch. I get that its personal but wow Spielberg was really just losing his mind with his movie. And weird after the brilliantly tightly-written/edited West Side Story.

[@cttp]

This was great :) Thanks FR team!

[@ubeardave]

Thanks for this! Spielberg is one of my heroes.

[@Beastopher]

very inspiring, loved the video. 🖤🙌

[@gryllinright9053]

What song is this 13:20