“The Spielberg Affair”
I was very fortunate enough to have been given a pass to a private screening of Steven Spielberg’s new film, “War Horse” back in November. The screening also included a private Q&A with Mr. Spielberg at the end of the film, which featured discussion on the film but also his career as a whole. I brought my good friend Tyler with me who is also a huge Spielberg fan like me.
When the film ended, and the crew were setting up cameras to shoot the Q&A (which would be simulcast around the world to live audiences) we were trying to come up with serious questions to ask Steven. We were incredibly giddy to see Mr. Spielberg as one could imagine – we were also very very close. I then [jokingly] proposed the idea of making the “Auto-Erotica” joke from Jurassic Park to Steven, with regard to asking if any of the horses in War Horse were ANIMATRONIC robots produced by Stan Winston studios, whom has produced many of the famous beasts on the silver screen. (Gennaro’s character in Jurassic Park asks John Hammond if any of the scientists are “Auto, auto-EROTICA?” What he means to ask, is, are they animatronic; robotic) I thought it was clever, yet an informed question.
I wasn’t completely serious about making the wisecrack to Spielberg. Spielberg then came out, I gave him a standing ovation and the interview started. It was insanely awesome. I forgot about the whole thing and was totally enthralled just listening to Spielberg talk. Then about 20 minutes into the interview, Tyler leaned over and asked, “Hey what was that Stan Winston joke again?”
Oh no.
Of course, moderator Mark Harris called on Tyler.
There were only 2 questions taken from the New York audience, where we were. Out of 300 people, Tyler was one of them. Go figure. I’m convinced Tyler has an innate ability to attract trouble. Below are two versions, one is the mash up that I did on my viral channel with Tyler, entitled “The Spielberg Affair” and the second is the actual clip where Tyler asks the question.
I have to say, Steven was a champ about the whole thing. He got the joke – I’m not sure the audience did. I don’t think the moderator did. Spielberg answered the question seriously as well, which turned out to be just as interesting as the rest of the questions asked.
It should be noted that Tyler was very nervous while talking through the Mic, the sound was huge in the theater, and the audience could hear his voice trembling as well. Take note of the hand motions, as our friend Kevin says, “Like an Italian mother.” Spielberg was also looking DIRECTLY at Tyler when answering the question as well. So nerve-racking for Tyler. Epic for both of us afterward. Tyler for the win.
43:40 is the big moment:
