--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I did 50 takes on Robert Shaw assembling…" description: "\"I did 50 takes on Robert Shaw assembling the Greener Gun on 'Jaws.' The shark wasn't working, so I just kept shooting to make the production report loo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fb/steven-spielberg-963_accomplishing-someth_i-did-50-takes-on-robert-shaw-assembling_385193.jpg" --- # I did 50 takes on Robert Shaw assembling the Greener Gun… ![“I did 50 takes on Robert Shaw assembling the Greener Gun on 'Jaws.' The shark wasn't working, so I just kept shooting to make the production report look like we were accomplishing something and to keep cast and crew from going crazy from boredom. It was a strategic indulgence.” quote by Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fb/steven-spielberg-963_accomplishing-someth_i-did-50-takes-on-robert-shaw-assembling_385193.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fb/steven-spielberg-963_accomplishing-someth_i-did-50-takes-on-robert-shaw-assembling_385193.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fb/steven-spielberg-963_accomplishing-someth_i-did-50-takes-on-robert-shaw-assembling_385193.jpg) > “I did 50 takes on Robert Shaw assembling the Greener Gun on 'Jaws.' The shark wasn't working, so I just kept shooting to make the production report look like we were accomplishing something and to keep cast and crew from going crazy from boredom. It was a strategic indulgence.” [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He filmed many takes to create the illusion of progress and maintain morale despite technical issues. **In simple terms:** He used extra filming to keep the team motivated. Key Takeaway Create visible progress to sustain morale. Themes leadership motivation production team dynamics Mood pragmatic reflective Type motivational practical When to use this quote - film set - creative projects - team morale - boring tasks Key Concepts psychology project management illusion Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance visible progress with efficiency? - When is it okay to prioritize morale over perfection? A Different Perspective May waste resources without improving the final product. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplishing something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishing-something/) [Boredom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boredom/) [Gun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gun/) [Jaws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jaws/) [Reports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reports/) [Sharks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sharks/) ## Related quotes > [I saw a man at the beach screaming, 'Help, shark, help!' I laughed because I knew the shark wasn't going to help him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-saw-a-man-at-the-beach-screaming-help-shark-help-i-laughed-because/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think the 'Jaws' shark and the 'Shark Night' shark would fall in love and make sweet babies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-carmack/i-think-the-jaws-shark-and-the-shark-night-shark-would-fall-in-love/) [Chris Carmack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-carmack/) > [Were the diver to think on the jaws of the shark, he would never lay hands on the precious pearl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/were-the-diver-to-think-on-the-jaws-of-the-shark-he-would-never-lay/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [I don't care how much power, brilliance or energy you have, if you don't harness it and focus it on a specific target, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/i-don-t-care-how-much-power-brilliance-or-energy-you-have-if-you-don/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [I enjoy the idea that even though I'm resting, I'm accomplishing something by reading a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-enjoy-the-idea-that-even-though-i-m-resting-i-m-accomplishing/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [Rush, that most exciting perversion of life, the necessity of accomplishing something in less time than should be truly allowed for its doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/rush-that-most-exciting-perversion-of-life-the-necessity-of/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [There's a difference between standing up and telling people what you're planning to do and standing up and going and accomplishing something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-stanley/there-s-a-difference-between-standing-up-and-telling-people-what-you/) [Paul Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-stanley/) > [Life is short, and potential studies infinite. We have a much better chance of accomplishing something significant when we follow our passionate interests and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/life-is-short-and-potential-studies-infinite-we-have-a-much-better/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [Leadership is accomplishing something through other people that wouldn't have happened if you weren't there. . . Leadership is being able to mobilize ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-tichy/leadership-is-accomplishing-something-through-other-people-that/) [Noel Tichy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-tichy/) > [I think my favorite thing is the mystery of life - it makes you feel that much better about accomplishing something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-lang/i-think-my-favorite-thing-is-the-mystery-of-life-it-makes-you-feel/) [Jonny Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-lang/) > [When you use an excuse for not accomplishing something or not completing a project, you are actually giving power to someone or something outside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/when-you-use-an-excuse-for-not-accomplishing-something-or-not/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Being on a ship is something like being pregnant. You can sit there and do absolutely nothing but stare at the water and have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-kerr/being-on-a-ship-is-something-like-being-pregnant-you-can-sit-there/) [Jean Kerr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-kerr/) > [I didn't originally intend on writing a book. I started writing during the day to feel like I was accomplishing something creative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-dratch/i-didn-t-originally-intend-on-writing-a-book-i-started-writing-during/) [Rachel Dratch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-dratch/) > [The only test of possession is use. The talent that is buried is not owned. The napkin and the hole in the ground are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maltbie-davenport-babcock/the-only-test-of-possession-is-use-the-talent-that-is-buried-is-not/) [Maltbie Davenport Babcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maltbie-davenport-babcock/) > [Even though I'm resting I'm accomplishing something by sewing that shirt that I've been meaning to sew for weeks. And it's relaxing. It's so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/even-though-i-m-resting-i-m-accomplishing-something-by-sewing-that/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) ## More by Steven Spielberg > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Making a movie and not directing the little moments is like drinking a soda and leaving the little slurp puddle for someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/making-a-movie-and-not-directing-the-little-moments-is-like-drinking/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Once scouting fully opens its doors to all who desire the same experience that so fully enriched me as a young person, I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/once-scouting-fully-opens-its-doors-to-all-who-desire-the-same/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I don't dream at night, I dream at day, I dream all day; I'm dreaming for living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-don-t-dream-at-night-i-dream-at-day-i-dream-all-day-i-m-dreaming/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I think the secret of great acting is that you have to bring your imagination to the party. You have to have a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-think-the-secret-of-great-acting-is-that-you-have-to-bring-your/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I think the greatest thing about DVD is the quality of sound and picture; the real estate to put more extras on; and, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-think-the-greatest-thing-about-dvd-is-the-quality-of-sound-and/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Audience members are only concerned about the story, the concept, the bells and whistles and the noise that a popular film starts to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/audience-members-are-only-concerned-about-the-story-the-concept-the/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I was fifteen, or sixteen. I was in high school. I was spending a summer in California with my second cousins. And I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-was-fifteen-or-sixteen-i-was-in-high-school-i-was-spending-a-summer/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [You know, I don't really do that much looking inside me when I'm working on a project. Whatever I am becomes what that film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/you-know-i-don-t-really-do-that-much-looking-inside-me-when-i-m/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Casting sometimes is fate and destiny more than skill and talent, from a director's point of view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/casting-sometimes-is-fate-and-destiny-more-than-skill-and-talent-from/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [The costume the actors wear and if they're in stylized makeup and wigs in a live-action movie let's say, in a big costume drama,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/the-costume-the-actors-wear-and-if-they-re-in-stylized-makeup-and/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I didn't read reviews earlier in my career, but I read them now as I'm older. I read them all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-didn-t-read-reviews-earlier-in-my-career-but-i-read-them-now-as-i-m/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Whatever affect any of my films have on audiences, I just kind of stop at the door. I make them and I just don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/whatever-affect-any-of-my-films-have-on-audiences-i-just-kind-of-stop/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [ I've kept the people who've been in my career who I feel are my family. Kathy \[Kennedy\] had been with me since 1978. Janusz… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-ve-kept-the-people-who-ve-been-in-my-career-who-i-feel-are-my/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Desperate times require desperate measures. What Lincoln and the Lobbyist for the Amendment and the Manager of the Amendment and himself, what they did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/desperate-times-require-desperate-measures-what-lincoln-and-the/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) [Explore all 319 Steven Spielberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) ## More Accomplishing something quotes > [Even though I'm resting I'm accomplishing something by sewing that shirt that I've been meaning to sew for weeks. And it's relaxing. It's so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/even-though-i-m-resting-i-m-accomplishing-something-by-sewing-that/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [The only test of possession is use. The talent that is buried is not owned. The napkin and the hole in the ground are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maltbie-davenport-babcock/the-only-test-of-possession-is-use-the-talent-that-is-buried-is-not/) [Maltbie Davenport Babcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maltbie-davenport-babcock/) > [I didn't originally intend on writing a book. I started writing during the day to feel like I was accomplishing something creative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-dratch/i-didn-t-originally-intend-on-writing-a-book-i-started-writing-during/) [Rachel Dratch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-dratch/) > [Being on a ship is something like being pregnant. You can sit there and do absolutely nothing but stare at the water and have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-kerr/being-on-a-ship-is-something-like-being-pregnant-you-can-sit-there/) [Jean Kerr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-kerr/) > [When you use an excuse for not accomplishing something or not completing a project, you are actually giving power to someone or something outside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/when-you-use-an-excuse-for-not-accomplishing-something-or-not/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [I think my favorite thing is the mystery of life - it makes you feel that much better about accomplishing something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-lang/i-think-my-favorite-thing-is-the-mystery-of-life-it-makes-you-feel/) [Jonny Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-lang/) > [Leadership is accomplishing something through other people that wouldn't have happened if you weren't there. . . Leadership is being able to mobilize ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-tichy/leadership-is-accomplishing-something-through-other-people-that/) [Noel Tichy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-tichy/) > [Life is short, and potential studies infinite. We have a much better chance of accomplishing something significant when we follow our passionate interests and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/life-is-short-and-potential-studies-infinite-we-have-a-much-better/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [There's a difference between standing up and telling people what you're planning to do and standing up and going and accomplishing something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-stanley/there-s-a-difference-between-standing-up-and-telling-people-what-you/) [Paul Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-stanley/) > [Rush, that most exciting perversion of life, the necessity of accomplishing something in less time than should be truly allowed for its doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/rush-that-most-exciting-perversion-of-life-the-necessity-of/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [I enjoy the idea that even though I'm resting, I'm accomplishing something by reading a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-enjoy-the-idea-that-even-though-i-m-resting-i-m-accomplishing/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I don't care how much power, brilliance or energy you have, if you don't harness it and focus it on a specific target, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/i-don-t-care-how-much-power-brilliance-or-energy-you-have-if-you-don/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [Given the choice between accomplishing something and just lying around, I'd rather lie around. No contest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-clapton/given-the-choice-between-accomplishing-something-and-just-lying/) [Eric Clapton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-clapton/) > [Thwart," I said. "To prevent someone from accomplishing something by means of visiting gratuitous violence upon his smarmy person." "I'm pretty sure that isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/thwart-i-said-to-prevent-someone-from-accomplishing-something-by/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [Life is meant for living.. I know that sounds simplistic, but how many days do you let slip by without really doing something, accomplishing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivana-trump/life-is-meant-for-living-i-know-that-sounds-simplistic-but-how-many/) [Ivana Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivana-trump/) [Browse all 28 Accomplishing something quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishing-something/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I did 50 takes on Robert Shaw assembling the Greener Gun on 'Jaws.' The shark wasn't working, so I just kept shooting to make the production report look like we were accomplishing something and to keep cast and crew from going crazy from boredom. It was a strategic indulgence.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Steven Spielberg" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-did-50-takes-on-robert-shaw-assembling-the-greener-gun-on-jaws-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accomplishing something" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-did-50-takes-on-robert-shaw-assembling-the-greener-gun-on-jaws-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fb/steven-spielberg-963_accomplishing-someth_i-did-50-takes-on-robert-shaw-assembling_385193.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fb/steven-spielberg-963_accomplishing-someth_i-did-50-takes-on-robert-shaw-assembling_385193.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fb/steven-spielberg-963_accomplishing-someth_i-did-50-takes-on-robert-shaw-assembling_385193.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I did 50 takes on Robert Shaw assembling the Greener Gun on 'Jaws.' The shark wasn't working, so I just kept…” — Steven Spielberg", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Steven Spielberg", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I did 50 takes on Robert...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-did-50-takes-on-robert-shaw-assembling-the-greener-gun-on-jaws-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-did-50-takes-on-robert-shaw-assembling-the-greener-gun-on-jaws-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```