The following is an excerpt from my upcoming book How to Make a Film. If you want to stay up-to-date with progress and receive a sample chapter once it’s ready, plus other pre-release bonuses, remember to join my mailing list or subscribe to my Substack.
Every great filmmaker starts somewhere. Some are fortunate enough to be born into the industry, with connections to fast-track their careers. Others, like Steven Spielberg, carve their own path, fuelled by an unstoppable passion for storytelling and an unshakable belief that they belong in the world of cinema.
The Early Years: A Boy and His 8mm Camera
Long before Jaws, Indiana Jones, or Jurassic Park, Spielberg was just a boy with a camera. Growing up in Arizona in the 1950s, he was captivated by films, but unlike most children who merely watched movies, he wanted to make them. He picked up an 8mm camera and began shooting homemade films, often enlisting his friends as actors and his family’s living room as a makeshift studio.
By the age of 12, he had already directed his first war film, complete with explosions created by practical effects and elaborate miniatures. At 16, he made a 140-minute science-fiction film, Firelight, which was shown in a local cinema. The ticket price was 25 cents, and while it was a humble screening, it was his first taste of an audience reacting to his work. The applause at the end confirmed what he already knew—this was what he was meant to do.
Breaking into Hollywood: A Bold Move
Unlike many of his contemporaries, Spielberg did not attend a prestigious film school. He applied to the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts multiple times, but each time, he was rejected due to his academic record. Instead of letting that stop him, he sought another way in.
Determined to immerse himself in the industry, Spielberg began visiting Universal Studios. At first, he used a three-day visitor’s pass, but when it expired, he didn’t let that stop him. He befriended a studio worker who discreetly let him in, allowing him to roam the lot and observe productions. Rather than finding an empty office and setting up shop—as legend sometimes suggests—he made himself a familiar face, striking up conversations with studio employees, shadowing professionals, and learning everything he could about the filmmaking process.
It was an act of pure initiative—he wasn’t officially invited, nor did he have a formal role. But he understood a fundamental truth: opportunities in filmmaking are rarely handed out. Sometimes, you have to step in and create them yourself.
The Short Film That Changed Everything
Spielberg’s persistence at Universal eventually led to a breakthrough opportunity. In 1968, he directed Amblin’, a 26-minute short film—a lyrical, dialogue-free coming-of-age story about two hitchhikers journeying through the American Southwest. Unlike his earlier 8mm projects, Amblin’ was shot on professional 35mm film with a $15,000 budget, funded by producer Dennis Hoffman. The film’s polished cinematography and storytelling impressed Sid Sheinberg, then the vice president of Universal Television, who recognised Spielberg’s potential. Sheinberg’s enthusiasm led to an unprecedented offer: a seven-year directing contract, making Spielberg the youngest filmmaker ever signed to a major Hollywood studio.
That short film, made with limited resources but boundless ambition, became his calling card. It was not just about talent—it was about demonstrating initiative, proving that he could deliver a compelling story even on a small scale.
The Lesson for Aspiring Filmmakers
Spielberg’s story is not just about natural talent; it is about action. He did not wait for permission to make films—he started with whatever tools he had. He did not wait for the perfect opportunity—he created one. He did not accept rejection—he found another way in.
For every filmmaker dreaming of making their first film, Spielberg’s journey serves as a powerful reminder:
- Start with what you have. A great story does not need a big budget—it needs passion, creativity, and resourcefulness.
- Take initiative. The industry is full of closed doors. Sometimes, you have to walk in anyway.
- Make something. A completed short film, no matter how small, carries more weight than an unfinished masterpiece.
His journey began with an 8mm camera and a dream. The rest is history.
One Response
Spielberg is a great director.
I just wish the Fablemans was a story about the incredible tenacity one needs to succeed as an unknown. There’s a bit of luck, too. Jaws, ET, Raiders… There’s a journey I would’ve loved to have seen glimpses of- the hard work involved.
A lot of dreaming wont get you anywhere.