Why Steven Spielberg Doesn't Write His Own Films

The film industry is a complex web of intertwined talents and skills, with writing and directing being two distinct crafts that require different temperaments and skill sets. While many filmmakers excel in both areas, the economic principle of 'comparative advantage' often dictates that the best results come from allowing individuals to contribute according to their strengths. Some directors write well, and some writers direct well. However, for studios or major investors, hiring the best writer to pen the movie and the best director to bring it to life makes the most sense.

The Separation of Writing and Directing

Writing and directing are different like apples and oranges. Writing involves sitting alone for hours on end, pouring your thoughts onto paper or the screen. Directing, on the other hand, is more about working collaboratively, communicating your vision, and managing a team. Introverts might find directing challenging, as it often involves more social and collaborative work, while extroverts might not enjoy the isolated nature of writing.

Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott: The Best at Their Craft

Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott are prime examples of this division of labor. Though they are not writers, they have both achieved immense success by working with the best writers in the business. What makes them successful is their ability to develop their own projects and work with writers until they get the scripts where they want them. This collaborative approach ensures that the final product is not just a director's vision but also a well-crafted screenplay.

Time and Economic Considerations

Time is a crucial factor when considering who should write a screenplay. A director can typically bring a project to the screen in around 12 weeks, but the script itself may have been in development for years, evolving through numerous revisions. For instance, Richard Curtis, the writer behind 'Four Weddings and a Funeral,' estimates that he wrote 17 drafts of the script, though he could only recall a few. For a director to write an equally intricate and polished script, it would be a considerable investment of time and energy. Furthermore, a director would need to stick with one project, receiving little or no payment during the long lead time before the script is finalized, while concurrently directing other movies.

The Bottom Line: Expertise and Retained Capital

While some directors have the talent and skill to write a screenplay, the economic reality is that directing multiple projects simultaneously is much more financially rewarding. A director earns more by finishing projects and moving on to new ones, rather than spending years working on a single script with limited payment. This is why even talent like Spielberg and Scott, who are proven directors, opt to work with the best writers in the industry. Their proven skills in directing and storytelling ensure they continue to earn millions of dollars through their work on screen, rather than focusing on the uncertain monetary returns from writing.

In conclusion, Steven Spielberg doesn't write his own films because the economic and pragmatic considerations strongly favor the best allocation of talents. By allowing the best writers to craft the initial scripts and then focusing on their strengths as directors, the industry can produce high-quality films that are both artistically and commercially successful.