Arnold Spielberg's Parenting Method

 

The Father Who Raised a World-Renowned Director

Arnold Spielberg, an American electrical engineer, worked at General Electric (GE), where he designed mainframe computers. One of his significant achievements was developing the first computer-controlled "POS (Point of Sales)" cash register. While Arnold had many accomplishments in his field, he became more famous as the father of Steven Spielberg, the legendary film director. Let's explore how Arnold, an engineer, helped nurture his son to grow into a world-renowned filmmaker through his unique parenting methods.

Source of Arnold Spielberg: Naver Image

An Engineer Who Fostered Creative Thinking

As an electrical engineer, Arnold Spielberg specialized in designing computer circuits, a field that required thinking outside the box and approaching problems from various perspectives. He valued creative thinking and wanted to offer his son, Steven, opportunities to develop this mindset. One night, when Steven was just 10 years old, Arnold woke him up and drove for 30 minutes to an unknown destination. When they arrived, many people were lying on blankets, gazing at the sky. Arnold spread out a blanket from the car, and they lay down together to watch a meteor shower. Although Steven was initially frightened by his father’s sudden actions, the unexpected celestial phenomenon filled him with a sense of wonder. This experience became a profound memory for Steven, inspiring him to explore the origins of emotions in his future filmmaking. Reflecting on the lives of many individuals who achieved great success in modern history, it's evident that positive experiences shared with their parents often ignited their career choices and talents.

 

Source of Arnold Spielberg: Naver Image

The Gift of a Camera that Sparked the Dream of Becoming a Director

As a computer expert, Arnold owned various electronic devices, including an 8mm video camera, which he gave to Steven. From then on, whenever the family went on trips, Steven would immerse himself in capturing shots and framing videos. After returning home, he would edit the footage and present a film to his family. Although Arnold was initially displeased with Steven’s obsession with filming, as he hoped his son would follow in his footsteps as an engineer, it became clear that Steven had no particular talent for math or science. When Steven decided to pursue a career as a film director, Arnold supported his son's dream on the condition that he maintain a certain level of academic performance. By the age of 17, Steven had shown his determination by directing, writing, and filming a movie called Firelight for $500, which he even managed to screen at a local theater.

 

Arnold Spielberg, an electrical engineer, may have raised his son into a world-class director by teaching him the approach and mindset from his own field.

 

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