Steven Spielberg and Duel : The Making of a Film Career

Since the early 1970s, Steven Spielberg has directed more than two dozen films, many of which have achieved classic status. In addition to critical and commercial successes that include E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial , Schindler’s List , Saving Private Ryan , and Lincoln , Spielberg’s name has become synonymous with such thrilling adventure films as Jaws , Raiders of the Lost Ark , Jurassic Park , and Minority Report . Before he became a world-renowned filmmaker, however, Spielberg established himself on television, helming episodes of Rod Serling’s Night Gallery ; Marcus Welby, M.D. ; and Columbo . But it was the small-screen version of a Richard Matheson short story that brought the young director’s work to the attention of critics and viewers alike. In Steven Spielberg and Duel : The Making of a Film Career , Steven Awalt provides an exhaustive study commemorating the film that decisively launched the career of a major film artist. Through in-depth research and interviews with the film’s creative and technical crew, the author tracks the film from genesis through production to release. Awalt conducted lengthy one-on-one interviews with Spielberg, Matheson, assistant director James Fargo, editor Frank Morriss, composer Billy Goldenberg, former MCA/Universal president Sidney J. Sheinberg, and writer-producer Steven Bochco, among others. Spielberg provided access to many rare documents from his archives, including multiple drafts of Duel ’s teleplay, the shooting schedule, shooting logistics breakdowns, and production correspondence. The first book-length examination of this important production in the director’s early career, Steven Spielberg and Duel also includes the original teleplay by Matheson, four additional scenes created for the international theatrical release of the film, photos, and storyboards of the film’s final sequence. A fascinating look behind the scenes of an acclaimed work, this book will interest not only scholars and film historians but anyone interested in the work of Richard Matheson and Steven Spielberg. This Is An Account Of Steven Spielberg's First Stand-alone Film, Duel, A Made For Tv Movie That First Aired In 1971. This Book Chronicles The Film's History, From The Original Short Story By Acclaimed Writer Richard Matheson (16 Twilight Zone Episodes, Somewhere In Time, I Am Legend) To Its Development As A Teleplay, To Its Production Under The Direction Of Spielberg. It Began As It Would End; With A Crash -- Richard Matheson And Duel: From Genesis To Short Story -- Steven Spielberg, Universal Contract Director -- A Well-oiled Machine: Preproduction -- Storyboards For Duel -- Duel In The Sun: The Production, The Film -- Cutting To The Chase: Postproduction -- Premiere -- On The Road With Duel -- Legacy. Steven Awalt. Includes Bibliographical References, Filmography, And Index. This is an account of Steven Spielberg's first stand-alone film, Duel, a made for TV movie that first aired in 1971. This book chronicles the film's history, from the original short story by acclaimed writer Richard Matheson (16 Twilight Zone episodes, Somewhere in Time, I Am Legend) to its development as a teleplay, to its production under the direction of Spielberg. Spielberg provided the author with many rare documents from his archives, including multiple drafts of Duel's teleplay, the shooting schedule, shooting logistics breakdowns, production correspondence, storyboards, shooting maps ..