schindlers list backround Essay

Submitted By nmn691
Words: 1145
Pages: 5

Schindler’s List Steven Spielberg, the director of Schindler’s list, is an American born director, screenwriter, and producer. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he later moved to New Jersey in early childhood(SS Bio). After the split of his parents his father moved to California while his mother and three sisters lived in Arizona, it was a lot of moving throughout young years. It was during this time he attained the rank of Eagle Scout, showing that even as a child before the directing came into play, he was a determined young man and could put his best foot forth. Throughout it all however, Spielberg made a name for himself, though it was not easy. He attended California State University in Long Beach, California, where coincidentally enough, he dropped out to pursue his entertainment career. Shaky from the start he had many flops, many unfinished projects, and some duds, but nonetheless it was The Sugarland Express with Goldie Hawn that helped him to become a rising star (SS Bio). To date Spielberg has received 120 nominations, and on top of that, 148 winning awards for the works that he has been involved in. He is truly one of America’s greatest directors (SS Bio). The director from Schindler’s List is noteworthy to say the least, but that’s without mention that the composer from the movie helped him to get it done and make the movie. John Williams is an American composer, pianist, and conductor. Just like Spielberg being highly influential in directing works of film, Williams can be considered one of the greats with composing the music for film. Williams has won 37 awards and has been nominated for much more than that (JW Bio).The second most awards won in his class, next to Walt Disney (All Music). Williams is a New York native and moved to California in his adolescent years where later on went to attend the University of California where he studied with a private Italian composer and got a good start to his own composing specialties. Two years later, in 1952 Williams was actually drafted into the Military where he arranged music for the United States Air Force among a few other assignments (JW Bio). This may be what gave his discipline and the need to strive forward and progress to greater heights, it gave him structure and in a career path that the majority fail to make it to the big time, he prospered. Through the growing struggles in the entertainment business, Spielberg managed to coerce Williams into working on one his films, and it’s been a blessing for both of them ever since. The following year after the first film they did together, which happened to be one of Spielberg’s breaking out films, The Sugarland Express; the two collaborated on the major blockbuster Jaws , which won them both plenty of praise and a few awards as well (All Music). From this point on there was no turning back, the two have collaborated since and made some of the best and well known movies to date. One of these well-known movies is Schindler’s List. A movie based during the Holocaust depicting a man who saved thousands. A historical drama, Spielberg was quite wary about directing the film. Although fascinated by the book it was derived from, Schindler’s Ark, he was unsure of his own ability to direct a piece that is of so much significance in history. With Williams by his side however, it came to be known as one of the best films ever made. Winning awards such as Best Director, and Best Original Score, both Spielberg and Williams made a success of the movie (All Music). It’s the collaboration of the two that really made it worthwhile. The use of the music in this piece really bring feeling to the movie. The opening piano is a strong way to introduce the film and starts you off on a good note, it keeps you interested in the film from the beginning, and it just continues from there. Although the movie itself is based in a sad time, in a way it brings some joy to know that someone had the heart to help out; and in these times with just