Famous Creative Thinkers – Steven Spielberg and Pina Bausch
PHL/458
August 4, 2014
Professor Leon Hallingquest
Famous Creative Thinkers Famous thinkers all have things in common that help them accomplish greatness during their lives. Creative ideas are the foundation of the creative process. When creative individuals run across a problem that needs to be resolved - this is when they start coming up with their ideas. Problems can have a variety of options for resolution. This paper will cover how film mogul Steven Spielberg and dancer Pina Bausch used their own creative process to motivate people into seeing different issues their way.
Famous Creative Thinkers In this paper specific problems and ideas that these individuals sought to solve, and the plans they put into action to resolve these problems will be discussed. Each person’s social, personal, or political environments will be reviewed on how they contributed to their creativity. Additionally, the creative process of each person, including obstacles they faced and a comparison of their creative processes underlying each individual’s work will be reviewed. Lastly, a critique of their ideas will be reviewed answering the questions if they could have done anything differently and if their bodies of work fit into the existing framework of understanding in their respective fields and how their work advanced further understanding in their respective fields.
Steven Spielberg Steven Spielberg has been a pivotal force in the filmmaking world. His films have explored our fears (Jaws, 1975) and our childlike curiosity (ET, 1982 and Peter Pan, Hook, 1991). He has sparked our passion for adventure (Indiana Jones, 1984 and Jurassic Park, 1993). Spielberg has brought history to the screen in Schindler’s List (1993) and Saving Private Ryan (1998) both films earned him Academy Awards for Best Director. He founded Amblin Entertainment in 1982 producing Back to the Future (1982) and Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). In 1994, he co-founded Dreamworks - purchased by Paramount Pictures in 2005 (A&E Television Networks, LLC. 2014). The small and large screens have both seen the presence of Steven Spielberg in one form, or another. Contributions to society through his films, Anders (2011) “Spielberg is bigger than any one milestone — in many ways, we're all living in the entertainment world that Steven built” (10 Ways Steven Spielberg Has Made the World a Better Place). Steven changed the landscape of film by being an early adaptor to CGI technology and making it seem real. Spielberg co-founded Dreamworks which brought animation back to popularity with both children and adults (Shrek series) and became a rival for Pixar. This breakthrough broke the domination of Disney in the animation world. His success introduced us to the movie ‘blockbuster’ – his visions have shaped our love of outrageously expensive summer motion picture experiences more than any other individuals has (Anders, 2011). Directors are responsible for all aspects of the filming process; they guide the film’s artistic and dramatic aspects by choosing actors and crew members to bring the visions of the screenwriters to life on the big screen. Creative differences need to be managed and budgets maintained. When Spielberg has a problem or issue to solve, he uses his films as his canvas. According to Tribute Entertainment Media Group (2014),
Judging by his success as a filmmaker and the number of films he has made, Spielberg must either have a lot of problems to solve or, like a lot of people in analysis, just likes the process of solving them (Steven Spielberg Bio).
As a filmmaker, Steven Spielberg wanted to enhance the audience’s experience by filming in ‘long shots’ (scenes that are continuous and do not break away to other scenes). This is one of his signature moves and what makes his films so successful (Renee, 2013). Spielberg’s uses his creativity to tell stories. Along the way he has encountered critics of his work, Dubner (1999), “Even his detractors…acknowledge Spielberg … multitasker [sic], an idea machine and an unusually canny businessman …. ''The thing about Steven,''…''is that he hasn't let go of a decency I've seen so many others lose.’” (Steven Spielberg, in Black and White). Spielberg has remained true to his values and creative vision. His contributions to the film world have allowed him to give back to the community. He has become a role model, created charities, and donated to political campaigns.
Pina Bausch Pina Bausch was a German performer of modern dance. She was a choreographer, dance instructor, and ballet instructor. She possessed a distinctive style and through her ability to blend her movements she was able to become a leader in modern dance. She was appointed director to the Wuppertal theatres and created a blend of dance and theatre that was unfamiliar to audiences. Her troupe Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch performs internationally bringing her visions to the world (Morris, n.d.).
Pina Bausch, Watson (2011), "…is one of the most influential figures towards the development of European dance in the late twentieth century” (para. 1). Her style was initially a rebellion in traditional dance. Her works focus on human relationships and womanly representation; using non-traditional theatre props and telling her stories through the use of movements expressing emotions – comedy and tragedy alike. Her approach to dance was influenced by the art and film movements of the 1960s (Watson, 2011). Bausch wanted to solve the problems of bringing emotions and expression back to the theatre through her dance in a non-traditional way. She wanted to question the way the movements were expressed and created moving physical images. According to Watson (2011), “Her work shows the bearings of a soul that can expose [sic] emotion both humorous and shocking to provoke a reaction from those who watch” (para. 9) Description of solutions and how ideas were implemented; Pina always had a specific strategy for implementing her ideas. She would ask questions of her troupe – about everything (parents, childhoods, and emotional reactions) she allowed her dancers freedom to look within themselves and express their emotions on stage. “Pina Bausch once said, "I am no one's pupil’” ("Pina Bausch," 2004). Her personal views on dance broke barriers by overcoming both technical and conceptual boundaries. Her visions inspired many other European choreographers. (According to Encyclopedia Of World Biography (2004), Bausch’s greatest accomplishment was overcoming the standard visualizations of dance and to have found a new facet in the arts. She used her creativity to break down barriers to enforce her ideas and opened a whole new measure of quality on stage.
Creative Comparison Steven Spielberg and Pina Bausch focused their creativity in their chosen fields with many of the same traits. Both were given opportunities focus their creativity and create from their own distinctive passions and talents. By applying their talents to their chosen fields, both Spielberg and Bausch were able to go against trends and be incredibly successful. By intuitively knowing what was appropriate for the time and acted upon their instincts, they knew that their actions may not have been accepted later.
Critique of ideas Steven Spielberg is one of the greatest directors in the motion picture industry. By collaborating with people stronger than him and going against trends (Brown, 2011), Spielberg continues to bring one hit after another at the box office. Pina Bausch was a German dancer who was famous for her works that seem to expose human nature naked to feelings and emotions. She founded her dance studio and became one of the most drastic, leading and important forces in the dance world. (Telegraph Media Group Limited, 2014). Her artistic vision changed the scope of modern dance. The success of both of these creative thinkers stems from following their instincts. If either of them had changed their creative vision or methods, the way we see films and modern dance today would be different. Without the advancements of either Spielberg or Bausch, the arts would be less connective with the audience at an emotional level.
Conclusion
Steven Spielberg and Pina Bausch are two of the greatest creative thinkers of the 20th century. Without their innovative ideas, movies and dance theatre would be a different world today. All famous thinkers have similar things in common that help them achieve success. Creative people see a problem and set about finding a solution to it – this is when their creativity process really shines. Problems can have a variety of outcomes as Steven Spielberg shows in his films or an alternative expression of the way the body can express emotions as Pina Bausch used in her dances. Both used their specialties to create solutions to their issues through different mediums.

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