How to Make a Steven Spielberg Film

Love him or hate him, Steven Spielberg is the most commercially successful director in the history of movies. Ever since Jaws became the highest-grossing movie of its day, Spielberg's magic has led to from one top grossing movie to another. Spielberg's success has left many critics and filmmakers scratching their heads and wondering how he crafts such successful films. So what's the method behind the magic? Once you understand it, you too can craft your own Steven Spielberg films.

Spielberg and Narrative
Steven Spielberg movies tend to be straightforward linear narratives. Most Spielberg films use the classic three-act structure. In addition, Spielberg tends to work with genre-specific films. Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the purest examples of the adventure genre ever made, as is Jurassic Park and Jaws. Occasionally Spielberg will mix genres, 1941 comes to mind, but he has met with limited success when he has.

Spielberg and Structure
Spielberg utilizes a classic Hollywood approach to dramatic structure. Spielberg's approach is to create a goal-oriented main character who seeks resolution. Then he throws obstacles in the hero's way, leading to the climax in which the hero attains his goal. Spielberg films almost always offer full closure to the audience. One exception that succeeds in having the best of both worlds is Raiders of the Lost Ark, in which the hero, Indiana Jones, attains his goal, only to lose it in the end. However, even with this exception, closure is still complete in the sense that the Nazi's no longer have the Ark of the Covenant.