He’s directed some of the biggest films of our generation, including the Jurassic Park films, The Color Purple, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Saving Private Ryan and of course, the notorious Jaws.
He’s executive produced our favorites, such as Tiny Toon Adventures, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Men in Black.
Steven Spielberg is one of the most prolific storytellers of our time. His list of awards runs a mullet with three Academy awards, three BAFTA Film awards, six Golden Globes awards, 11 Emmy awards and many critic awards.
But, there was a time when one prestigious academic institution couldn’t see the talent or potential of Spielberg. The aspiring director applied to the University of Southern California’s film school only to be rejected, not once, but a whopping three times.
So, he applied for the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) film school and was accepted. While pursuing his education, it took him no time to obtain an internship in the editing department at Universal Studios. There, he would create the short film Amblin.
Watch Steven Spielberg’s First Theatrical Film “Amblin”
Sidney Sheinberg, the vice president of Universal at the time, saw the film and was so impressed that he offered Spielberg a seven-year directing deal. Spielberg soon dropped out of college to pursue directing full time. Knowing the importance of education, he would go back to CSULB to complete his Bachelor’s degree in 2002.
In 2009, Spielberg was honored, alongside Star Wars director George Lucas, with a building in his name at the newly built School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern. A nice twist in an inspiring story.
At the ceremony for the event, Spielberg joked, “I’m very proud to have had some association with the school, dating back to 1980. As you all know, I’ve tried to have an association with the school for many years. I eventually had to buy my way in.” Lucas agreed that he, too, had to buy his way in. Interesting. Who’s running admissions for that school?
Well, now that Spielberg has blazed a career that’s unmatchable by many, his passion in life has been greater than just getting into one of the top film schools in Hollywood. He inspired a whole generation of new filmmakers that don’t need the validation of gatekeepers to do what they love most.
“I would tell kids who want to make movies, to make movies. When I was a kid, the only way for me to make movies was to borrow from my father and borrow his 8mm movie camera,” said Spielberg in an interview. “Today you can take your cellphone, you can make a movie on that and if it’s a really cool movie and it’s funny, dramatic, whatever… you can post it on YouTube. So, it’s a lot easier today for kids to get started and follow their passion and pursue their heart’s desire to be a filmmaker.”
Watch Steven Spielberg Talk About Doubting Himself
