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The Arts Intel Report

A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler
A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler

The Spielberg Face

Streaming on Vimeo

“The Spielberg Face”—what does the phrase mean? This nine-minute video is a close-up look at, well, a particular kind of close-up. Kevin B. Lee traces the evolution of Steven Spielberg’s much-used device: the wide-eyed expression of terror that says trouble is coming; and the wide-eyed expression of awe that draws one in closer. Spielberg relies on such close-ups three times, on average, per movie, and to Lee it’s a definitive Spielberg signature. In an analytical fashion, this video shows how it works. —E.C.