Filmmaker Steven Spielberg Speech | Harvard Commencement 2016

Harvard University2 minutes read

Stephen Spielberg, a renowned director, emphasizes the importance of creating memorable and challenging movies while sharing his personal journey and advocating for empathy and unity to combat hatred and discrimination. He highlights the significance of storytelling, intuition in decision-making, and reflecting on past sacrifices for a future filled with justice and peace.

Insights

  • Stephen Spielberg's films aim to be both memorable and challenging, reflecting his commitment to storytelling based on real-life events and historical significance.
  • Spielberg underscores the importance of intuition in decision-making and the value of empathy and unity in combating hatred and discrimination, urging the audience to prioritize human connections, reflect on past sacrifices, and strive for a future characterized by justice and peace.

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Recent questions

  • Who is Stephen Spielberg?

    Stephen Spielberg is a two-time Academy Award-winning director known for films like Jaws, ET, and Schindler's List.

  • What are some of Stephen Spielberg's notable films?

    Jaws, ET, and Schindler's List are some of Spielberg's notable films.

  • What does Stephen Spielberg emphasize in his movies?

    Spielberg aims for his movies to be memorable and challenging.

  • What personal journey did Stephen Spielberg share?

    Spielberg dropped out of college for a dream job and later returned to earn his degree.

  • What does Stephen Spielberg advocate for in combating hatred and discrimination?

    Spielberg advocates for empathy and unity to combat hatred and discrimination.

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Summary

00:00

Stephen Spielberg: Inspiring Stories and Values

  • The principal commencement speaker is Stephen Spielberg, a two-time Academy Award-winning director.
  • Spielberg's notable films include Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, ET, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, and more.
  • He emphasizes that his movies aim to be memorable and challenging.
  • Spielberg has received prestigious awards like the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Director's Guild of America and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
  • Spielberg shares his personal journey of dropping out of college for a dream job and later returning to earn his degree.
  • He discusses the importance of intuition in making life choices and finding a sense of mission.
  • Spielberg highlights the significance of studying history and understanding one's roots.
  • He stresses the importance of storytelling and making movies based on real-life events.
  • Spielberg addresses the rise of hatred and discrimination, advocating for empathy and unity to combat it.
  • He encourages the audience to maintain human connections, reflect on past sacrifices, and work towards a future filled with justice and peace.

19:38

"ET, Thank You for Applause"

  • Reference to ET and the phrase "ET go home" is made
  • Gratitude expressed with "thank you"
  • Applause is mentioned twice
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