Make films for big, dark theatres: Steven Spielberg

In a potshot at streaming services, veteran filmmaker Steven Spielberg has urged directors to continue to give people “the motion picture theatrical experience”.

The 72-year-old shared his beliefs about the importance of a movie experience during his acceptance speech for the Filmmaker Award at the Cinema Audio Society’s CAS Awards, reported Variety.

“I hope all of us really continue to believe that the greatest contribution we can make as filmmakers is to give audiences the motion picture theatrical experience. I’m a firm believer that movie theatres need to be around forever,” Spielberg said.

The filmmaker then praised the bold work taking place in the television sphere while lamenting how streaming will never compare to the experience of watching a film in a theatre. He did not name any streaming service in particular.

“I love television. I love the opportunity. Some of the greatest writing being done today is for television, some of the best directing for television, some of the best performances (are) on television today,” Spielberg said.

“The sound is better in homes more than it ever has been in history but there’s nothing like going to a big dark theatre with people you’ve never met before and having the experience wash over you. That’s something we all truly believe in,” added the Jaws (1975), E.T. (1982), and Ready Player One (2018) director.

This is not the first time the Academy Award-winning filmmaker has spoken out against streaming services. Spielberg had previously said that films which debut on streaming services should compete for the Emmys instead of the Oscars.

The greatest contribution we can make as filmmakers is to give audiences the motion picture theatrical experience. I’m a firm believer that movie theatres need to be around forever STEVEN SPIELBERG FILMMAKER

PHOTO: ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP