Posts Tagged ‘E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial’

Metro In Focus: Spielberg’s skill in listening is what sets him apart.

By Richard Crouse – Metro In Focus

You don’t have to overtax the Google machine to find negative comments about being on set with Steven Spielberg. Type in “working with Steven Spielberg” and in 0.57 seconds 20,900,000 results appear, including an article where Shia LaBeouf rants, “He’s less a director than he is a f—ing company.”

LaBeouf’s resume is dotted with Spielberg-produced or -directed films like Disturbia, Transformers, Eagle Eye and, most famously, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, but if Spielberg ever does the same search it’s unlikely they’ll ever pair up again. “You get there, and you realize you’re not meeting the Spielberg you dream of,” LaBeouf told Variety. “You’re meeting a different Spielberg, who is in a different stage in his career.”

But that’s pretty much it for the negativity. There’s a story about Crispin Glover suing Spielberg for using his likeness in Back to the Future Part II and the critical drone that his films are overly sentimental, but primarily it’s LaBeouf against Spielberg and the world. Most of his other co-workers have nothing but praise for the filmmaker Empire magazine ranked as the greatest film director of all time.

This weekend he returns to theatres with Ready Player One, a sci-fi film that brings a virtual reality world called the OASIS to vivid life. Star Tye Sheridan calls the director a great and passionate collaborator who makes everyone feel equal on set. Co-star Ralph Ineson calls Spielberg “one of the most iconic figures of the last 100 years,” adding that it was difficult to takes notes from him on set. “When he is speaking to you your mind vaguely goes blank the first few times because your internal monologue just goes, ‘My god, Steven Spielberg is giving me a note.’ And then you realize you haven’t actually heard the note.”

All directors give suggestions on set, but it seems it’s the way Spielberg speaks to his actors that sets him apart.

Ed Burns remembers making a mess of several takes on the set of Saving Private Ryan to the point where Tom Hanks said to him, “I’ve seen you act before, and this isn’t acting.” Afraid he would be replaced, he got nervous and continued to blow take after take but Spielberg didn’t offer guidance. Two weeks passed. The cast started laying bets on who would be fired first.

Turns out, no one was fired and Burns learned a lesson he would later take into his own directorial efforts like Sidewalks of New York. The actor reports that Spielberg said, “I like to give my actors three takes to figure it out. If I step in after the first take and give you a note, especially with young actors, you’ll hear me rather than your own voice.”

Burns calls the experience “a life changer” adding it taught him that being a director is “about knowing when to give direction.”

The superstar director says the listening lesson was learned early in life.  “From a very young age my parents taught me probably the most valuable lesson of my life: Sometimes it’s better not to talk, but to listen.”

There’s someone else Spielberg keeps in mind when making a film. “I always like to think of the audience when I am directing. Because I am the audience.”

TONIGHT! RICHARD TALKS E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL LIVE IN CONCERT

For the second of two night! Friday, December 30 at 7:30 PM. Read all about the first night HERE!

Experience the inspiring classic, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on a vast HD screen while John Williams’ iconic, triumphant score is performed LIVE, in sync with the film by the Motion Picture Symphony Orchestra conducted by Evan Mitchell.

“A night to iPhone home about” (LA Times)

“A perfectly poised mixture of sweet comedy and ten-speed melodrama, of death and resurrection, of a friendship so pure and powerful it seems like an idealized love” (Time)

“[E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial] made my heart glad. It is filled with innocence, hope, and good cheer. It is also wickedly funny and exciting as hell” (Roger Ebert)

Director Steven Spielberg’s heartwarming masterpiece is one of the brightest stars in motion picture history. Filled with unparalleled magic and imagination, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial follows the moving story of a lost little alien who befriends a 10-year-old boy named Elliott.

Experience the mystery and fun of their unforgettable adventure in the beloved movie that captivated audiences around the world, complete with John Williams’ Academy Award®*-winning score performed live by a full symphony orchestra in sync to the film projected on a huge HD screen!

Prior to the screening, join film critic Richard Crouse with special guest Thom Ernst in the lower lobby for an in-depth discussion of the film E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial at 6:30pm.

Take part in the conversation as they discuss the legacy of Steven Spielberg’s 1982 creation and why it remains one of the sweetest and most personal blockbusters ever made.

Richard Crouse is the film critic for CTV’s News Channel and CP24. His syndicated radio show, The Richard Crouse Show, originates on News Talk 1010 in Toronto. He is the author of nine books including the bestselling Raising Hell: Ken Russell and The Unmaking of The Devils and Elvis is King: Costello’s My Aim is True. His weekly Metro column appears on Fridays.

Thom Ernst is a Toronto based film writer and critic. He is currently the host and producer of Making Movies the Canadian Way airing on Bell Fibe TV1. Thom also hosts the podcast This Movie’s About You. CBC listeners across Canada can hear him as a replacement film critic and commentator on CBC Radio Syndication and Fresh Air. Thom is best known as the former Host and Producer of TVO’s popular film show, Saturday Night at the Movies. Thom’s film writings have also appeared in the Toronto Star, The National Post, Playback Magazine and toromagazine.com.

Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and Attila Glatz Concert Productions present

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Live in Concert. Thursday, December 29 and Friday, December 30 at 7:30PM. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front Street East, Toronto. Tickets on sale NOW. Ticket prices range from $49-99. Ticket prices do not include service or delivery fees. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Sony Centre Box Office, over the phone at 1-855-872-SONY (7669) or online at www.sonycentre.ca.

Richard Talks ET! E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Live in Concert

screen-shot-2016-12-01-at-3-22-01-pmThursday, December 29 and Friday, December 30 at 7:30 PM

Experience the inspiring classic, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on a vast HD screen while John Williams’ iconic, triumphant score is performed LIVE, in sync with the film by the Motion Picture Symphony Orchestra conducted by Evan Mitchell.

“A night to iPhone home about” (LA Times)

“A perfectly poised mixture of sweet comedy and ten-speed melodrama, of death and resurrection, of a friendship so pure and powerful it seems like an idealized love” (Time)

“[E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial] made my heart glad. It is filled with innocence, hope, and good cheer. It is also wickedly funny and exciting as hell” (Roger Ebert)

Director Steven Spielberg’s heartwarming masterpiece is one of the brightest stars in motion picture history. Filled with unparalleled magic and imagination, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial follows the moving story of a lost little alien who befriends a 10-year-old boy named Elliott.

Experience the mystery and fun of their unforgettable adventure in the beloved movie that captivated audiences around the world, complete with John Williams’ Academy Award®*-winning score performed live by a full symphony orchestra in sync to the film projected on a huge HD screen!

Prior to the screening, join film critic Richard Crouse with special guest Thom Ernst in the lower lobby for an in-depth discussion of the film E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial at 6:30pm.

Take part in the conversation as they discuss the legacy of Steven Spielberg’s 1982 creation and why it remains one of the sweetest and most personal blockbusters ever made.

Richard Crouse is the film critic for CTV’s News Channel and CP24. His syndicated radio show, The Richard Crouse Show, originates on News Talk 1010 in Toronto. He is the author of nine books including the bestselling Raising Hell: Ken Russell and The Unmaking of The Devils and Elvis is King: Costello’s My Aim is True. His weekly Metro column appears on Fridays.

Thom Ernst is a Toronto based film writer and critic. He is currently the host and producer of Making Movies the Canadian Way airing on Bell Fibe TV1. Thom also hosts the podcast This Movie’s About You. CBC listeners across Canada can hear him as a replacement film critic and commentator on CBC Radio Syndication and Fresh Air. Thom is best known as the former Host and Producer of TVO’s popular film show, Saturday Night at the Movies. Thom’s film writings have also appeared in the Toronto Star, The National Post, Playback Magazine and toromagazine.com.

Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and Attila Glatz Concert Productions present

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Live in Concert. Thursday, December 29 and Friday, December 30 at 7:30PM. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front Street East, Toronto. Tickets on sale NOW. Ticket prices range from $49-99. Ticket prices do not include service or delivery fees. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Sony Centre Box Office, over the phone at 1-855-872-SONY (7669) or online at www.sonycentre.ca.