Four Questions with Nancy Spielberg
Nancy Spielberg.
The name – of course – cannot help but evoke thoughts of filmmaking royalty. And, indeed, Nancy grew up surrounded by some royally committed filmmakers: Her father Arnold started the production company she still uses today, and her brother Steven gave her her very first roles (more on that, below).
Her early affinity to filmmaking notwithstanding, Nancy has a diversity of interests and a strong sense of social consciousness, which have permeated her career, and made for an interesting, yet non-linear path. From her youthful exposure to the business of film production to her very first courses in filmmaking in New York, she went on to work in jewelry manufacturing. The jewelry business provided her with the platform she needed to found and launch several charities – including A Bid for Charity (with co-founder Bobby Valentine), Children of Chernobyl, Project Sunshine, and the US Branch of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.
All the while, however, her film roots were spreading: She served as a consultant, executive producer and producer for a number of projects including the Oscar-winning documentary ‘Chernobyl Heart’, and PBS series ‘Elusive Justice: The Search for Nazi War Criminals’- among others. Adopting the production company her father founded in 1968 - ‘she has relaunched ‘Playmount Productions’ and is currently producing the feature documentary ‘Above and Beyond’.
‘Above and Beyond’ recounts the harrowing missions of the men who – in 1948 - helped repel five armies and create Israel’s Air Force. Filmed in the U.S., Israel and the United Kingdom, ABOVE AND BEYOND is directed by Roberta Grossman (Blessed Is the Match), with cinematography by Harris Done (The Last Days), special effects by Industrial Light & Magic and an original score from Hans Zimmer’s Studio.
We sat down with Nancy to learn a bit more about this generous and driven woman, and to gain the benefit of a few insights into filmmaking.
Assemble (A): What is your first memory of filmmaking?
Nancy Spielberg (NS): Starring in an early film of my brother's: He was 16, I was 7. He told me to crawl in the grass and reach out for something- and he told me to look wide-eyed and curious.
Since it was about 100 degrees in the Summer in Phoenix [Arizona], I couldn't stop squinting and he kept saying "Stop squinting!" I saw black spots for weeks after that from staring into the sun.
That was my first role, in "Firelight".
A: What has been your biggest challenge, as a filmmaker?
NS: My biggest challenge is probably every filmmaker's biggest challenge- finding the funds to produce a compelling story.
Doesn't make a difference what your last name is (in fact, when it came to fundraising for the film, it actually worked against me "why isn't your brother or his friends just giving you the money?" was a question I heard often).
There's a story in your head… You see it so clearly... And there are no price tags in your head as you imagine scene by scene. Then, suddenly you pull out paper and pen and start scratching out figures, and as the figures rise higher and higher, your images start to crumble at the edges (gotta cut this, gotta cut that..).
But, sometimes you just can't cut that image- you know it's critical to the film and you just find determination to make it happen somehow, some way.
Exercising self control, making smart choices, being open to cuts- that's tough!
A: What excites you the most about your most recent film, ‘Above and Beyond’?
NS: ‘Above and Beyond’ has a huge heart. Every time I see it, I “emote.” I'm laughing, I'm crying, I'm proud to be an American, I'm wistful, I'm hopeful. It's a much-needed shot in the arm, at a time wen it's most needed.
Oh yeah, and I LOVE the score!!
A: If you could guide a generation of filmmakers with just one sentence, what would that sentence be?
NS: There are story-tellers and there are story listeners. Don't be afraid to tell your story, you will find the ears.]
Learn more about 'Above and Beyond' at aboveandbeyondthemovie.com
