Toronto: Steven Soderbergh on ‘Jaws’ Book, Genre Films and Streaming Success: “You’ve Got to Make Good Shit”

As a long-time fan of Steven Soderbergh‘s work, I find myself captivated by his latest endeavor – a book that delves deep into the making of Jaws, one of the most iconic films in cinematic history. This isn’t your typical how-to guide that you might find at an airport bookstore; no, this is a labor of love for those who truly appreciate the art of filmmaking.

For almost fifteen years, filmmaker Steven Soderbergh has shared insights into an extensive project based on the iconic thriller “Jaws,” directed by Steven Spielberg, which he watched in 1975 and has now spent considerable time studying.

During a casual chat at the Toronto Film Festival on Thursday, Soderbergh shared that he’s been focusing on a project, which appears to be about film directing and is structurally built around an examination of the daily production process of the movie ‘Jaws’,” (Soderbergh disclosed).

Don’t expect his how-to Jaws come to be sold at airports, however.

This book isn’t for everyone. It’s intended for individuals who appreciate films, whether as viewers or aspiring professionals. That’s because if you want to work in this field, you need a solid understanding of it. Soderbergh referred to his long-awaited passion project as ‘this job.’

Instead of focusing on a detailed, scene-by-scene breakdown of Jaws, let’s explore the journey of its creation as a starting point for discussing problem-solving strategies and creative processes.

The issue lies in the fact that the book remains unfinished and might never see completion, as the Academy Award-winning director cautioned. Reflecting on Jaws, the project will inspire Soderbergh to return to his initial film that sparked his ambition of becoming a Hollywood director.

At thirteen, he remembered watching the movie “Jaws” in a theater located in St. Petersburg, Florida, and as he exited, he found himself pondering over two questions: “What does ‘directed by’ signify?” and “Who is Steven Spielberg?

Fortunately, Soderbergh discovered The Jaws Log, a book by Carl Gottlieb detailing the action thriller’s production. He found valuable problem-solving lessons in it for filmmaking and carried it everywhere, referring to it as his “Bible”. He admitted to wearing out multiple copies from constant use.

Upon reaching high school and encountering movie-making tools, Soderbergh started creating short films. Recently, the director was presenting at TIFF as his latest film, the chilling ghost story “Presence“, featuring Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, and newcomer Callina Liang, is all set for an international debut.

In 1989, he remembered how “Sex, Lies and Videotape” marked a significant shift in independent cinema. This was due to Soderbergh, alongside directors like Spike Lee and Jim Jarmusch, who prompted the film industry to recognize potential profits by investing in personal, auteur-driven films following a resurgence of success during the 1970s.

Soderbergh suggested that there was a desire for a personal touch, a sense of authenticity. People seemed to be yearning for work created by an individual rather than a collective, something that carries the creator’s unique signature and feels like they are engaging directly with a real person.

Where can we find those distinctive director’s-touch movies nowadays? “What I’ve observed is a blend of commercial filmmaking with a distinct directorial style, particularly in horror films,” Soderbergh commented. He recently showcased his latest work, Presence, at Sundance, over three decades after the premiere of Sex, Lies and Videotape in Park City.

After that, Soderbergh proceeded to take the helm for a diverse assortment of films such as Traffic, Erin Brockovich, Contagion, Magic Mike, and Behind the Candelabra. In Presence, a family settles into their new abode but soon becomes aware of an unnerving entity within their home. This haunted house thriller escalates to the point where the family’s unity seems on the verge of collapsing.

Soderbergh shared with the TIFF crowd that horror movies serve as an ideal method for filmmakers to express their creativity, and furthermore, he contended that every movie he’s made since his epic two-part biopic Che, focusing on the Argentinian doctor who became a global revolutionary, can be categorized as a genre film.

Soderbergh believes that everyone benefits when you honor the fundamental aspects of a genre. You’re free to incorporate whatever elements you find intriguing,” he said. The movie Presence, as Soderbergh explained, was shot in a single location and the camera perspective shifts from that of a ghost, moving through the house.

Soderbergh’s camera style intimately explores every nook and cranny of the family’s aged two-story home situated in a leafy suburb. It swiftly glides past certain areas while lingering for a closer examination of others. “It’s a straightforward concept for a film,” he emphasized. “You’re viewing things from a specific perspective, and you know it’s a point of view, but you don’t know whose it is.

Soderbergh stated that the movie “Presence” focuses on a family, yet the genre serves as a concealed vehicle to portray a family dealing with a critical situation, as their distress is amplified because they’re unaware of the danger they’re in. The film “Presence” is set for release by Neon.

Steven Soderbergh discussed the role of movie stars in today’s streaming era, where television series might not rely on A-list actors to succeed, unlike theatrical releases. He stated, “For movies to thrive, they require movie stars. It’s wonderful if a story is compelling enough to attract viewers without them, but achieving this is challenging and becoming more so.

Due to shifts in the way Hollywood operates, it’s become harder to determine the value of movie stars. As Soderbergh pointed out, it’s now challenging to pinpoint exactly what attracts audiences to a particular movie, and what elements make a film successful.

It’s absolutely crucial that directors produce quality work from excellent screenplays. As Soderbergh put it, “In the end, the key lies in producing good content. You must strive to create good content, and that should be your primary concern.

2024-09-13 03:55

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