Steven Spielberg – Director-Cameraman

In my on-going series showing clips of major directors who also operate their own camera, as opposed to the stereotype of standing behind a bank of monitors with a cup of Starbucks in their hand.

This clip shows Steven Spielberg on the set of Jurassic Park directing actors, blocking the scene, and operating his own Panavision camera and skillfully working the geared head wheels, one of the hardest feats to master. Notice how quickly and efficiently he works. Early in his career he was known for doing ten to twenty takes on everything. Here you see him grabbing shots in one or two takes. Speed, efficiency, and doing things yourself saves time & money.

This clip was part of an EPK – Electronic Press Kit – sent out by the studios for public use to promote the film.