This Spielberg Oner is a Masterclass in Building Suspense

You could do a pretty deep dive on the cinematography of Steven Spielberg and still not cover all the amazing things he does on screen.

He's famous for many different shots, but I love his oners because they blend multiple setups and compositions into one fluid, continuous take.

While long takes have become somewhat of a flashy trend in modern cinema, Spielberg has always used them with a deep narrative purpose.

And maybe his best one comes in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

In a recent short breakdown by Euphoric, we get a rapid-fire look at the iconic drinking competition scene, which perfectly illustrates how Spielberg uses blocking and camera movement to elevate a moment and to pull the audience in.

Let's dive in.

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The Anatomy of a Perfect Oner

Sure, there are shots that last over ten minutes and that have even more choreography, but a great oner is not about the length; it's about how much you can give the audience.

This one in Raiders lasts for a full minute and 26 seconds without a single cut, but i gives us a few different angles like wide shots, over-the-shoulders, and inserts, all without stopping the film. Spielberg creates a dynamic sequence through the precise choreography of the camera and the actors.

It's crazy how this shot progresses!

• The Wide: The sequence begins with a wide shot that slowly pushes in.
• The First Single: Through that push, it transitions smoothly into a single shot of the competitor taking a drink.
• The Second Single: The camera then pans right to find another single shot of Karen Allen's character (Marion) drinking. Notice the foreground elements added in front of her to give the frame depth.
• The Insert & Resolution: The camera slowly pans back to an insert shot of the glass hitting the table, before settling on the competitor who takes one last drink and finally passes out.

The "Why" Behind the Shot

The technical execution is undeniably cool, but what makes this "oner" a stroke of genius is its emotional intent. All of this is done to bring the audience into a world and make us feel like we're at the table drinking with Marion.

Every cut in an edit is a release of tension. By withholding that release, Spielberg amplifies the suspense of the competition, and we can feel ourselves leaning in as the tension keeps building.

When we get the payoff, we're cheering with the audience.

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What Filmmakers Can Learn From Spielberg

You can learn everything there is to know about filmmaking from Steven Spielberg. Let's just focus on this shot.

It's easy to get caught up in the desire to shoot a long take just to prove your technical chops, but always focus on the story first.

When planning your next scene, ask yourself:

• Can I combine multiple setups? Instead of shooting a wide, two singles, and an insert separately, can you use camera movement and blocking to hit all those frames in one continuous take?
• Is a cut letting the air out? If you are trying to build tension, consider letting the shot play out. Make your audience wait for the release.
• Are my frames dynamic? Even in a moving long take, use foreground elements to ensure the composition remains visually engaging as the camera settles into different positions.

Summing It All Up

Like I said at the top, Spielberg is always doing things a little differently and dropping lessons for every aspiring filmmaker watching.

Next time you watch a oner of his movies, keep an eye out for these hidden oners. You'll be surprised at how often he uses them to seamlessly pull you deeper into the story without you ever noticing the lack of a cut.

Let me know your favorite in the comments.