A Creative Partnership Shaped by a Shared Passion for Film

From Teenage Dreamers to Cinema Innovators

Two teenagers met in a seemingly ordinary setting – both engrossed in the world of filmmaking. Jason Reitman and Eric Steelberg first crossed paths in their youth, sharing an instant connection fueled by their mutual love for movies.

Steelberg fondly remembers Reitman as “another skinny dude who loved movies.” He recalls their early days filled with playful creativity, both of them tinkering with Legos and a Super 8 camera. “It was fantastic,” Steelberg reminisces. “That’s what I did, too – making movies with friends and getting lost in those stories.”

Reitman was notably impressed by Steelberg’s advanced skills at such a young age, shooting on 16mm film when he was just 15. “It was unheard of,” he says. This mutual passion for filmmaking not only sparked a lifelong friendship but also a dynamic professional collaboration that has left a significant mark on the industry.

The Professional Journey: Building Iconic Films Together

Their shared journey into the professional world of film began with smaller projects and eventually led to major successes. Reitman couldn’t see anyone else but Steelberg by his side, entrusting him as the Director of Photography (DP) on films like “Juno”, “Up in the Air”, “The Front Runner”, and most recently, “Saturday Night”.

“What makes Steelberg my go-to man?” Reitman contemplates. “Things inevitably go wrong on set. The question is, who do you want standing next to you? For me, it’s Eric. We have each other’s backs in every act of life, and we balance each other.”

Honored for Their Collaborative Spirit

Their incredible synergy was recently celebrated at the 12th annual Middleburg Film Festival, where the duo was honored with the inaugural Creative Collaborators Award. This accolade highlighted their exceptional work and enduring partnership, reinforcing their status in the industry as a formidable team.

The Birth of “Saturday Night”: A Cinematic Homage to a Legendary Show

The Inspiration Behind the Film

“Saturday Night Live” is an iconic institution in the world of comedy and television. After completing “Juno,” Reitman found himself contemplating his next project. “I had two dreams as a kid: to direct and to be a writer for ‘Saturday Night Live,'” he recalls. His agent reached out to Lorne Michaels, and to his delight, Michaels said, “Yes.”

This paved the way for “Saturday Night”, a film that captures the exhilarating chaos and creativity behind the scenes of the beloved show. “When you’re there in person, what blows you away is the crew. It’s the people behind the camera doing this chaotic ballet that allow the show to exist,” Reitman explains.

The Challenge of One Continuous Shot

The pandemic brought about new challenges and opportunities for innovation. Reitman approached Steelberg with a bold and ambitious idea: to shoot the entire film in one, uncut shot. “I just wrote something a little crazy,” Reitman admitted. “We were going to go entirely in one uncut shot – no stitches, no cuts, no hidden anything.”

As they delved deeper into the project, they realized the immense challenge of this approach. Filming “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” in the UK made them rethink their methods. “Jason said, ‘I don’t think I wanna do one shot anymore, but let’s talk about how to do it more traditionally.'” Despite the change in approach, the goal remained unchanged – to capture the raw, immersive chaos of a live show on film.

Reflecting on Their Early Days

Reflecting on their first encounter, Steelberg recalls meeting an enthusiastic kid at his high school, working on a stop-motion Lego film. Reitman, impressed by Steelberg’s technical prowess, notes, “Eric was already a technical genius, a very curious person. He’s a pilot who can manage 100 things at once and remain completely calm. It feels like making a movie with my friend.”

Steelberg adds, “If we were to redo ‘Juno’ or any of our earlier projects, we’d approach them differently because we’ve grown so much as storytellers.” Their evolution has been shaped by intense schedules and problem-solving on film sets, enriching their professional and personal relationship.

Jon Batiste and the Musical Journey of “Saturday Night”

Jon Batiste, who plays Billy Preston and composed the original score for “Saturday Night,” took an unconventional approach by creating music live on set. “Jon would shoot from 8 to 6 and then compose with his band after filming,” Reitman elaborates. This innovative method created a real-time, immersive soundscape, enhancing the film’s authenticity.

Steve Morrow, their production mixer, had up to 58 microphones capturing real-time ideas, creating a lush sound environment that complemented the visual storytelling. This meticulous attention to sound design played a crucial role in the film’s overall impact.

Lighting as a Character

Steelberg approached lighting with a historical accuracy that brought the period to life. “All of our lights are built into the set,” Steelberg shares. Collaboration with production designer Jess Gonchor ensured that every light placement was strategically planned to enhance the shot designs.

“We rebuilt the entire eighth and ninth floors as a 360-degree set,” Reitman explains. “No matter where the camera was, the light was always perfect.” This level of detail allowed the actors and scenes to shine in a way that felt both authentic and cinematic.

This creative partnership between Reitman and Steelberg underscores the profound impact of trust and mutual respect in filmmaking. Their journey from teenage dreamers to celebrated professionals is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared passion. For more in-depth articles and the latest updates on movies and TV shows, feel free to explore more on our site and share your thoughts on social media.