The iconic director, Steven Spielberg, discussed with EW about the taxing period when he was simultaneously working on two drastically different films. He likened the experience to getting “rear-ended” without protection from whiplash, due to his active involvement in the overlapping productions.
Spielberg recounted how he plunged into the dark narrative of “Schindler’s List” while in Poland and tackled the stark contrast of responsibilities each day. During the daytime, he was fully engrossed in directing “Schindler’s List”, while evenings were spent reviewing “Jurassic Park” effects shots, transmitted from ILM directly to his residence via a satellite dish.
“The whiplash came in from the shock of switching between two different genres. One was “Schindler’s List”, which I was devoting myself to entirely, and the other was “Jurassic Park”, which though essentially completed, needed my attention for special effects approvals. This transition was quite harrowing, with a clear preference towards “Schindler’s List”, but I was not prepared to relinquish the task of finalizing effects to anyone else,” Spielberg expressed.
Despite the potential option to delegate “Jurassic Park” responsibilities, Spielberg remained hands-on. This staunch commitment to his work yielded immense success with “Jurassic Park” skyrocketing as one of Spielberg’s biggest blockbusters, and “Schindler’s List” securing him the much-desired Academy Award.
FAQs About Steven Spielberg’s Overlapping Productions of Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List
- Why did Steven Spielberg find it challenging to work on both Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List?
Working on the light-hearted, adventure-driven “Jurassic Park” and the heavy, emotionally-charged “Schindler’s List” at the same time created a significant cultural shock and required a mental shift between two different filmmaking experiences.
- Did Steven Spielberg consider passing off any of his responsibilities for Jurassic Park?
Despite facing a difficult transition, Spielberg chose not to delegate his responsibility to approve the special effects shots for “Jurassic Park” to anyone else. He remained involved throughout the process.
- What were the outcomes of Spielberg’s handling both films?
“Jurassic Park” emerged as one of the most successful films in Spielberg’s career, and “Schindler’s List” provided him with a long-awaited Oscar triumph.
Conclusion
The period when Steven Spielberg was working on “Jurassic Park” and “Schindler’s List” clearly demonstrates his dedication to his craft. Despite the emotional and creative whiplash he endured, he remained actively involved in both projects. His hard work paid off in a significant way, with both films not only becoming critical successes but also cementing Spielberg’s reputation as one of the greatest filmmakers in Hollywood history.