You're right Patrick, that IS significant. One could arguably say Verna even
MADE Spielberg's career. Spielberg, like other directors, mostly "hover" over
their editors, especially early in their careers until they gain confidence.
And in 1975, Spielberg was indeed a baby. I often wonder, for example, what
Scorcese would be like if he didn't always have Schoonmaker in his back pocket.
-kuz.
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Re: [MOPO] Can a major director shoot an "epic" on a
low budget?Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:49:42 -0700To: [EMAIL PROTECTED],
I can only point out one very significant issue with your post. Verna Fields
was the Oscar Winning Editor on Jaws. Spielberg would be the first to tell you
that she saved his ass on that one.
She was a great lady and may she rest in peace.
Patrick
On Jul 22, 2008, at 9:51 PM, David Kusumoto wrote:
** I know enough about Bob Brooks to not wanna tangle with him, especially his
razor wit, which comes out when he's not even trying. I will say though, that
while more films are being made than ever before -- the truth is -- more films
were RELEASED by "major studios and distributors" from the 1920s to 1946 than
they are today. They had a monopoly and even owned the theaters to show their
OWN films. Movie attendance since 1946 has never been eclipsed, thanks to TV.
Foreign films -- more prevalent today -- were "near" unavailable to U.S.
audiences outside NY and LA before 1960. Most small towns never saw ANY films
with subtitles. ** Meanwhile, switching gears back to "Jaws" and it's so-called
"cheap rubber shark" -- good and classy response by Rich in the U.K.; I'm glad
you clarified your earlier remarks. That 1975 picture introduced the
"blockbuster" mentality to Hollywood, opening in more theaters on opening day
than typical for most studios at the time. The "disaster" genre wave preceded
it and some say "Jaws" just blew down the doors faster. ** "Jaws" was a
big-budgeted film for the 1970s -- with everything riding on the skills of a
26-year old "novice" -- who hadn't yet demonstrated a track record of success
in the U.S. "Jaws" began production before the 1974 release of his theatrical
debut, "The Sugarland Express." Most famously, Spielberg ditched the domestic
melodrama of the ultra-popular Peter Benchley novel and turned his film into a
high-seas adventure, with a triangle character structure involving Shaw,
Dreyfuss and Scheider. ** Most memorable were comments by actor Richard
Dreyfuss, who dissed the film (and Spielberg) throughout its production.
Following historic sneak previews in Dallas and Long Beach, and an exhibitor's
preview in New York, Dreyfuss was mobbed. (Like many people, he had
underestimated Spielberg's skills as an editor and storyteller -- and had no
idea what the assembled film would look like with John Williams' legendary
score). Dreyfuss went bonkers, telling everyone he was dead wrong, that he was
embarrassed by his remarks, that Spielberg was a genius, that the picture would
be big for everyone. For many people, "Jaws" remains Spielberg's "best" film
-- and for collectors, probably his best film poster, next to the bicycle and
moon image in "E.T." ** After "Jaws," Spielberg would always have final cut.
He made enemies quickly. Many critics (except the late Pauline Kael) disdained
Spielberg's reputation as a "populist" director (akin to how they treated
Hitchcock, another "commercial" director whose legend grew anyway, esp. after
his death in 1980). After the disaster of "1941," Spielberg's rep for
"sentimental" big-budget entertainment was sealed when he returned with the
first "Raiders" picture in '81. I know my appreciation for Spielberg's
craftsmanship is a minority view at MoPo. He's not highly regarded nor beloved
as Scorcese or Ridley Scott or Eastwood among living directors -- yet it's not
difficult for anyone to predict that Spielberg will indeed be considered
legendary -- for good and for ill -- by future generations (just not mine)....
-kuz.> Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:32:24 +0100> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject:
Re: Can a major director shoot an "epic" on a low budget?> To:
MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU> > Stand corrected, must read up on my history.>
Point I meant to make, but failed badly with this example, I'd rather > have a
tale well told, with tension due to what you don't see, but are > scared you
will, rather than a film choc full of the most mind blowing > effects.> (Which
I don't equate with a rarely seen, obviously rubber, albeit > expensive,
shark.)> Regardless of the setting, I'll do without the water, just settle for
> a shower.> > Cheers,> Rich
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