A common expression in this business is that if you’re paying attention to what’s happening on set, you’ll learn something new every day. I can’t think of a director in my lifetime this better applies to than Steven Spielberg. Even now in his late period, he’s doing some of his best work. The “Spielberg Oner” is something that wasn’t even discovered until quite recently.
For those that don’t know, the Oner is a long take, and Spielberg changes angles and perspectives so much the scenes have the energy of a well-edited moment. The most discussed is in Jaws, where a ferry boat allows for a smooth flow of camera angles during a lengthy conversation. The most complicated one is in Munich, the one I first noticed was during The Terminal, and the most dynamic is a chase scene in TinTin, though West Wide Story is more famous, probably because it’s live-action.
Radiers has a few of these marvels, which I never noticed even though I’ve seen the film dozens of times. To be honest, I had trouble picking a scene from Raiders where I wish I was there on the day, because any day of filming would be the highlight of my life… except maybe anything in the Well of Souls. I’m selecting the introduction of Marion, an 82 second drinking game that ends with a perfectly-timed comic moment of defeat for her opponent.
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