Anyone know if Spielberg saved himself some at-sea hassel by studying Huston's nautical methods in filming Moby Dick? I know that in reference to Jaws, Spielberg said, "The ocean was always a real S.O.B." But since, like Huston, he was working with models-in-water, maybe Huston in some ways blazed the aquatic trail for the young Spielberg...?
shareGood question, but the way I understand it, Spielberg was unimpressed by the F/X in MOBY DICK. Don't forget, much of the work Huston did of the whale are miniature models in a tank shot at Shepperton Studios. Spielberg worked with full-scale models only. One of the tricks Spielberg did absorb from Huston was keeping the camera as close to water-level as possible for heightened drama.
Huston, of course, did use some large-scale models, but not in as many shots as the publicity would have you believe.
farley, thanks for your reply and the clarifications :)
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